BATTLE THRILLS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 February 1940, Page 5

BATTLE THRILLS

HOW THE ACHILLES WENT INTO ACTION CAPTAIN’S STIRRING STORY. DECEMBER 13 A LUCKY DAY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 23. The speed with which the company of the Achilles went into action was described by Captain Parry when he was replying to speeches at the civic welcome at the Town Hall. He proved himself to be an extremely able speaker and his story, which thrilled all who heard it, revealed the very great regard he had for his officers and men. He first of all spoke of the thrill the ship’s company received when the first broadcast they received of the action in which they had been engaged was a message of congratulation from the mayor and citizens of Auckland. Captain Parry said that they had to thank the Government, for it was because even during the depression the ship had been kept up to the mark and that it was ready to go out when the call came. This readiness had proved very valuable, for past experience had shown that in every war there had been a shortage of cruisers. Referring to the action, he said that for the company of the ship the day, December 13, was a lucky day. In the first place they were lucky to be there at all, lucky to suffer as little damage as they did, and now they were lucky again in receiving such a welcome in Auckland.

Captain Parry said that on the morning of December 13 they had been at dawn action stations and had relaxed when full daylight arrived. The men had. gone below and some were shaving —th'ose who had to shave, for his ship was largely inhabited by “beavers.” ENEMY SHIP SIGHTED. He remained in the bridge for longer than usual and a ship was reported. At first she could not be identified, but after training the glasses on her for a few minutes the navigating officer and himself said almost simultaneously, “My God, it’s a pocket battleship.” He said he would not like to describe his feelings at the moment. He remembered, however, that one thought was, “I wonder where we will be in half an hour's time.” However, there was no time to waste. Alarm bells were ringing throughout the ship, and those who were shaving dropped their razors. Within four minutes they were all at their stations, the guns were loaded and they had opened fire on the enemy. He said he thought one of the best descriptions of the feelings of everybody in that tense time, was given by a stoker, who said, “Well, sir, it’s a grand thrill, even if it's our last.” Unfortunately, said the Captain, it was the last for four of their lads, and he wished to offer his deepest sympathy with their relatives. “In the Navy after every battle, whether dummy or real, we have to make out a long report,” continued Captain Parry. “This is usually the worst part of the thing. At the end we have to put any lesson that may have been learned. The lesson I learnt in that battle was how wonderful the ship’s company of the Achilles rose to the occasion. This does not mean that I did not expect them to, for I knew they would, but the ’ wonderful spirit of cheerfulness, endurance and esprit de corps seemed stronger than I had ever known it. Certain of the members of the crew gained particular distinction in the battle.”