N.Z. OFFICERS

Grey River Argus, 8 June 1943, Page 2

N.Z. OFFICERS

1 IN BRITAIN'S COASTAL FORCES.

VISITED BY HON. F. JONES.

(Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) LONDON, June 1

Admiral Sir Dudley North learned a haka from a Maori Chief when.he visited New Zealand thirty years ago in His Majesty’s ship “New Zealand.” He gave a “restrained version” for Hon. F. Jones .and Mr W. J. Jordan when they visited his Command to meet New Zealand officers serving in coastal forces in motor torpedo-boats, gunboats and motor launches. Sir D. North, at a luncheon for Mr Jones and the New Zealanders, recalled the world tour of the ship “New Zealand,” which he later commanded, and his haka drew smiles of delight and applause from everyone. Later Mr Jones .and Mr Jordan, who were accompanied by Mr S. R. Skinner (Naval Affairs Officer), and Mr F. Sherwood, boarded a motor torpedo-bo.at in which SubLieutenant J. Gardiner, of Napier, is second in command. All were made honorary members of the ship’s company, and signed the log, after which they referred to the boat as “our ship.” Mr J'ones visited two ports, from where these little ships, in conjunction with the R'.A.F., won command of the English Channel, and a large area of the North Sea. Mr Jones i boarded different types of boats, [ being greatly impressed by their com- | pactness and the great spirit of the officers and crews. At the first port, he met Lieutenant P. G. C. Dickens, D. M.8.E., R.N., the famous novelist’s great-grandson, and Lieutenant Commander S; C. Bradley, of Wellington, Lieutenant F. E. R. Merrit, of Auckland; Sub-Lieutenants R. A. Mitford Burgess, of Te Araroa; G. J. MacDonald, D.S.C., of Wellington; W. C. Drake of Wellington; C. H. Goldsmith of Eltham: N. Watson of Paraparaumu; G. K. Natusch, of Havelock North; and Second Officer Nancy Allen, W.R.N.S., of Tauranga. At the second port, he met Leutenant Neil Harton of Wellington; Sub-Lieutenants J. F. Y. Schischka, of Auckland; B. Blake of Auckland; B. M. Simpson of Auckland; N. V. Route of Nelson; F. Reid of Wellington; R. C. Pearson of Balclutha and Gardiner. Mr Jones learned how coastal forces protect convoys around English coasts from the .attentions of E. and R-boats, and attack German convoys, and also mine-laying. They operate at night tim e in all weathers, and when actions occur they are usuallv short-lived .affairs, with maximum danger at point blank range. Sometimes they are dull routine affairs, after which the crews return tired out bv long hours at instant I readiness. Mr Jones learned that all of the New Zealanders had been in action and that, while they were all doing grand work, it was fair to sav that’Lieutenant Harton and SubLieutenant MacDonald were regarded as coming coastal forces Commanders. Lt. Harton commands the “M.T.8.” He was at Dieppe and Bruneval, escorting landing parties and commandoes. His boat brought back from Bruneval one of the few Germans taken prisoners. He and his crew distinguished themselves one dark, bitter night. During a patrol they saw a Halifax with its engines on fire crash into the sea two miles away. Despite a heavy sea, the boat raced “harry-flatters” (the coastal man’s slang for top speeds for the aircraft. Lt. Harton and four of his crew tied on lifelines, and jumped into an icy sea in an attempt to rescue the airmen. They found three Canadians in almost pitch darksess nearly exhausted. Sub-Lt. MacDonald has the distinction of being the New Zealander with longest service af his port.