ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF FOR THE PERIOD 1st APRIL, 1942, TO 31st MARCH, 1943

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1943 Session I, H-05

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1943 NEW ZEALAND

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF FOR THE PERIOD 1st APRIL, 1942, TO 31st MARCH, 1943

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency the Governor-General

The Honourable the Minister of Defence. Navy Office, Wellington, 18th August, 1943. oIR, — I have the honour to address to you the following report on the Royal New Zealand Navy and proceedings on the New Zealand Station during the year Ist April, 1942, to 31st March, 1943. In view of present conditions this report has been considerably curtailed. 2. Throughout the year the ships and personnel of the Royal New Zealand Navy have been employed on active operations. Two ships of the Royal New Zealand Navy serving with the Forces of Vice-Admiral W. F. Halsey, United States Navy, in the South Pacific Area sank a large Japanese submarine in the Solomon Islands on 29th January, 1943. ViceAdmiral W. F. Halsey, United States Navy, Commander, South Pacific Area, stated in his report on the action that " the alert and courageous actions of the crews of these gallant little ships merits the highest praise." 3. H.M.N.Z.S. " Moa," one of the two corvettes responsible for the sinking of the Japanese submarine on 29t.h January, 1943,„ was lost during a heavy enemy air attack in the Solomons on Bth April, 1943. As a result of this attack five members of the crew were reported missing and seven seriously wounded. 4. Recruiting of personnel for continuous service and for the period of hostilities only has been continued. Personnel surplus to requirements on the New Zealand Station have been made available for service in the Royal Navy. Reports on personnel sent to the United Kingdom under schemes whereby they were selected as potential officer candidates have been received from the High Commissioner for New Zealand on several occasions The High Commissioner has stated that the Admiralty appreciate the splendid contribution being made by New Zealand in this direction. 5. The shore establishments in New Zealand have continued to perform essential and valuable work in the maintenance and repair of shipping. Merchant ships have been repaired, and defensive equipment improved whenever necessary. Atwell Lake, Commodore, Chief of the Naval Staff. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (434 copies), £1 10s.

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