ABOARD THE ACHILLES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 102, 18 December 1939, Page 5

ABOARD THE ACHILLES

LOCAL BOY A LEADING-SEAMAN ' TAKES PART IN EPIC BATTLE Aboard H.M.S. Achilles when that cruiser, together with the Exeter and the Ajax, engaged the 10,000 ton 'pocket' battleship Admiral Graf von Spec off the mouth of the River (le la Plata, Uruguay, on Wednesday evening, was Leading - Seaman Thomas McGougan, son of Mr and the late Mrs S. McGougan, formerly of Taneatua. Twenty-two years of age, LeadingSeaman McGougan was born in Taneatua and has seen service with the Royal Navy in various parts of the world, escorting the King and Queen on their voyage to America and being engaged on patrol duties around Spain during the Spanish Civil War. His last leave was in May when the Achilles returned from her refitting and recommissioning in England, and he spent this in Whakatane with his sister, Mrs W. Armstrong. Leaving with his ship, which sailed under sealed orders a few days before war was declared. LeadingSeaman McGougan, in his last iettei: to New Zealand, said that he was well and nothing of importance had occurred.

& as as ■ at It is reported that the Craf von Spec's attack on H.M.S. Exeter opened the engagement. The Achilles Mas then standing off Tiriapolis, defending a French liner. An early report that the Achilles was damaged is not confirmed.

The British light cruisers maintained contact fearlessly and effectively, says the report. This will be appreciated when ii is remembered that the Achilles and A.jax, of the same class, are armed with six-inch guns, firing n one hundred pound shell, and the German battleship mounts 11 inch guns firing !5701b projectiles and having an effective range of HO,OOO yards.