Royal New Zealand Navy Divisions

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.  Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the morning (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson; Vice-Chief of Defence, Rear Admiral Jack Steer; Deputy Chief of Navy, Commodore Bruce Pepperell; Maritime Component Commander, Commordore Tony Parr; Minister of Defence, Hon Wayne Mapp, and MP Melissa Lee; Your Worship, Andrew Williams, Mayor of North Shore City; Officers and men and women of the Royal New Zealand Navy; Veterans; Distinguished Guests otherwise, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is an honour to be here today to recognise the Royal New Zealand Navy on parade.   It is not only an opportunity to acknowledge the work of the Navy as a whole, but also the exceptional efforts of a few.  I will shortly present several trophies recognising excellence within the Royal New Zealand Navy. Before doing that, I would like to make note of an important anniversary in the history of New Zealand's Navy. 

Seventy years ago New Zealanders played a key role in the first major naval battle of the Second World War, the Battle of the River Plate.  The New Zealand cruiser, Achilles, under the command of Capt Edward Parry,  joined with HMS Ajax and HMS Exeter in a battle that led to the scuttling of the pocket battleship, Admiral Graf Spee in December 1939. 

HMS Achilles was the seventh ship of the Royal Navy to bear that name.  A light cruiser of 7030 tons displacement, she was 554 feet long, and 55 feet wide. Completed in 1933, she was on loan to New Zealand from 1936 to 1946.  With a wartime complement of more than 650, she could reach a maximum speed of 32 knots and was armed, at the time of the battle, with eight 6-inch and four 4-inch guns, and eight 21-inch torpedo-tubes.

The Graf Spee, with a displacement of more than 12,000 tons, had been inflicting significant damage to the vital cargo trade plying the South Atlantic.

At first glance, three ships against one might seem an uneven match.  But the Graf Spee, while slower, had quicker reacting diesel engines and far greater firepower with six massive 11-inch guns, eight six inch guns and eight 21-inch torpedo tubes.  While her size was limited to that of a cruiser by the Treaty of Versailles, she was as heavily armed as a battleship.

In contrast, Exeter's main armament were eight inch guns whilst Achilles and Ajax had just six inch guns.  As well, with lesser range, they had to get closer to the Graf Spee to inflict any damage.

To meet this challenge, Commodore Henry Harwood, commander of the South America Division, had clear but simple tactics.  By day or night, they would attack at once, but if by day, Ajax and Achilles would form a separate division from Exeter to divide Graf Spee's firepower.

Harwood realised Graf Spee would be a hard nut to crack. The firepower of the ships under his command was effectively equivalent to the pocket battleship's secondary armament.

His tactics were put into effect when the Graf Spee was sighted on 13 December.  When alarm stations rang through the Achilles it is recorded that, when for the first time a New Zealand cruiser was to engage the enemy, a signalman ran aft with a flag under his arm, shouting "Make way for the Digger flag!" Accompanied by loud cheers, he proceeded to hoist the New Zealand ensign to the mainmast.

Graf Spee fired first at 6.18am, concentrating on the Exeter, whose guns were a greater threat.  Exeter suffered horrendous damage, but before Graf Spee could finish her off, her fire was drawn by the two light cruisers.   Despite the damage sustained, including effective loss of control at times, Exeter's remaining stern battery continued firing throughout the engagement.

The brief action lasted just 82 minutes.  On the British ships, the lives of 72 officers and ratings were lost, with a further 47 wounded.  There were just four deaths and nine injuries on Achilles. Most occurred when an 11-inch shell fell short in line with her navigating bridge and burst on the water. The flying splinters killed four ratings and seriously wounded two others in the director control tower.  Even so one rating was later heard vigorously denying reports of his demise, shouting down the phone: "I'm not dead. It's me on the end of this phone."

Graf Spee took refuge in the neutral port of Montevideo and, deceived by British propaganda that suggested a large flotilla was waiting for him, Capt Hans Langsdorff scuttled his ship on 17 December rather than face defeat.  In reality, just three cruisers, Ajax, Achilles and Exeter's replacement, Cumberland, were just outside territorial waters.

Several features make this battle stand out.  While the British ships lacked the firepower to seriously damage the Graf Spee, they did not resile from taking her on.  In this regard, Achilles' motto, Fortiter in Re or "Unyielding in Action" describes well the approach taken by all three British ships. 

On all three ships, there are many instances recorded of officers and ratings who, despite being injured, heroically stayed at their stations.   Their courage remains an inspiration 70 years on.

They did not shy away from a battle, despite facing a more formidable opponent.  Many made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their nation and the democratic values we cherish.  And at this time, it is appropriate to specifically acknowledge two River Plate veterans who are with us today: Vince "Cyclone" McClone and Eddie Telford.  I join everyone here in thanking you for your service.

The battle was also a turning point for New Zealand's navy.  It entered the war as a small division of another nation's navy and emerged from that conflict as a truly national service.  Two years later, King George VI approved a proposal renaming the division as the Royal New Zealand Navy.

While New Zealand's Navy is today occupied with less fierce pursuits, the values and spirit of that earlier generation remains the hallmark of the Navy, and the New Zealand Defence Force.  Those values are a part of the New Zealand Navy's desire to be the best small nation Navy in the world.

The Navy and naval personnel play an important role in peacekeeping and fulfilling the maritime component of New Zealand's primary defence interests along with the Royal NZ Airforce and the New Zealand Army.  As your Commander-in-Chief I wish to add thanks to all involved in this vital work. 

In particular, I acknolwedge the Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Ledson, who is the successor to Achilles' commander, Captain (later Admiral)  Parry, who was later Chief of New Zealand Naval Staff when the New Zealand Division became the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1941.

Working for the military, and particularly the Navy, can require you to spend considerable time away from your families and friends.  This is more so if assigned to peacekeeping, which can take you to volatile shores, where you will be tested, both professionally and personally. Your dedication to your work is appreciated.

This then brings me to the presentations of a number of awards for outstanding achivement and commitment. 

But before I do, I will close in our country's first language, Māori, offering everyone greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.  No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.