Pages tagged with: rnzn

When HMS Achilles opened fire on the German ‘pocket battleship’ Admiral Graf Spee on 13 December 1939, it became the first NZ unit to engage the enemy in the Second World War. Seventy years on, the Battle of the River Plate still holds a special place in this country's naval history.

New Zealand's naval forces and strategy before the outbreak of the Second World War.

New Zealand was one of the first states to answer the Security Council's call with combat assistance (sixteen would eventually do so). On 29 June, the government offered two frigates, and HMNZS Tutira and Pukaki left Auckland on 3 July.

The outbreak of the Second World War and New Zealand naval involvement in the Battle of the Atlantic.

HMS Achilles joins the Royal Navy's South America Division patrolling the South Atlantic in search of German raiders.

The British cruisers Achilles, Ajax and Exeter engage the German battleship Admiral Graf Spee in battle.

The aftermath of the battle and the return of HMS Achilles to New Zealand.

Recruits from the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy washing clothes on the training ship HMS Philomel, circa 1938-1939.