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[HMS Achilles arrives at Auckland wharf a month following the Battle of River plate with HMS Cruisers 'Exeter' and 'Ajax' against the German battleship Graf Spree].
D279.1 HMS Achilles arrival at Auckland wharf
Side 1.
Part 1. HMS Achilles arrives at Auckland wharf 6.50am on 23/2/40. Commentary from NBS reporter, Mr Drummond and Lieutenant [Thompson]. Background noise from the ship's horn, tugs, crowds and welcoming flotilla.
Side 2.
[Part 2] Prior to the arrival of HMS Achilles at Auckland 5.45 am 23/2/40 NBS reporter, Mr Drummond and Lieutenant [Thompson] provide an introductory commentary. Whilst waiting for the ship to come into sight through the 'glasses' at the head of the harbour Lieutenant [Thompson] reflects on the good fortune of the Achilles, remembering he says,"the turn of fate that gave her and her crew the chance to be in the right place at the right time" and though jubilant for the ship's safe return reminds listeners to not forget the work of the general Navy and also notes the gallant on-going work of the Merchant Navy seamen.
D279.2 HMS Achilles berths at Auckland wharf
Side 1.
Part 2. Continued commentary from Mr Drummond and Lieutenant [Thompson] at 6.50am as HMS Achilles berths the western wharf. The crowd cheers and brass band play in welcome from the wharf side. The commentators note how worn the ship looks.
Side 2.
[Part ? unlabelled] Lt. [Thompson] ends an explanation about how the presence of the Senior Officer onboard is demonstrated by way of a particular flag. Mr Drummond thanks Lt. [Thompson] for his Naval insight to the relay and signs off until 9.20am.
D279.3
Side 1.
Part 2. A relay from the quarter deck of the HMS Achilles at 9.40 am, 23/2/40. [The wind makes a part of the commentary intelligible], the Governor General addresses the crew "Haere mai, Haere mai..." welcoming those who have returned and offering his condolences to those who lost their lives. On behalf of the crown and government he thanks Captain Parry and the crew for their achievements and says how proud they deserve to be. Captain Parry thanks his Excellency for his welcome but defers success to his crew with whom he places complete confidence and responsibility.
Side 2.
Part 2. Official Welcome of HMS Achilles at Auckland Town Hall, 10.30 am. Street parade with commentary from Mr Drummond. He provides a description of the military troops as they march down Queen Street passing the packed crowds on the street and windows alike cheering and throwing rolls of coloured paper.
D279.4
Side 1.
Part 4. Official welcome to HMS Achilles at Auckland Town Hall, 10.30 am, 23/2/40 continues. NBS reporter, Mr Hall provides further commentary on the Street Parade, describing the thick fall of coloured papers and streamers as the official HMS Achilles cars and two horse-mounted policeman arrive. Captain Parry acknowledges the crowd and he, the following officers and detachment receive a roar of cheers from the crowd.
Side 2.
Part 3. Official welcome to HMS Achilles at Auckland Town Hall, 10.30am, 23/2/40. The crowd wait for the troops' procession. Mr Hall explains the buildings are decorated with flags, buntings and banners including Māori names and words of welcome and the atmosphere is one of gaiety. He says no crowd of this size has been seen in the streets since the Armistice of 1918.
D297.5
Side 1.
Part 5. Official welcome to HMS Achilles at Auckland Town Hall, 10.30am, 23/2/40. Speech by Mayor of Auckland, [Sir Ernest Davis] includes welcome home and praise to the crew of HMS Achilles, he also acknowledges HMS Exeter and HMS Ajax and offers his condolences to the families of those who have lost loved ones. He makes a requests the brass band to play the first verse of the hymn, "For those in peril on the sea", which the crowd then sings.
Side 2.
Part 7. Official welcome to HMS Achilles at Auckland Town Hall 10.30am, 23/2/40. Conclusion of speech by Peter Fraser and the Hon. Jones, Minister of Defence.
D297.6
Side 1.
Part 6. Official welcome to HMS Achilles at Auckland Town Hall, 10.30am, 23/2/40. Formal welcome speech presented by the Town Clerk to Captain Parry. The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Mr. Peter Fraser begins his speech. Both men acknowledge Captain Parry and his crew, those wounded and those who have paid the ultimate price, losing their lives and loved ones for the British Commonwealth, for freedom and justice. Fraser also reads a cablegram signed by Anthony Eden, Secretary for the Dominion on behalf of the government of the United Kingdom that welcomes the officers and men who have returned safely and praises them for their victory over the German navy.
Side 2.
Part 8. Official welcome to HMS Achilles at Auckland Town Hall, 10.30am, 23/2/40. A speech by the Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. William B. Darlow who shares his appreciation and gratitude to all the British and Allied Navy men who daily risk their lives for the cause and on behalf of the members of staff of the Auckland Harbour Board welcomes the crew of HMS Achilles home. A speech by the French Ambassador, Monsieur [?] who acknowledges what a privilege it is for him to be playing a part in this welcome of Captain Parry, the officers and men. He extends a deep admiration for HMS Achilles' victory from the French government and people.
D279.9
Side 1.
Part 9. Official welcome to HMS Achilles at Auckland Town Hall 10.30am, 23/2/40. Mr Tai Mitchell is introduced and speaks "on behalf of the Māori race". A bell tower chimes ten times and Captain Parry is invited to speak accompanied by cheers from the crowd as they sing, "For he's a jolly good fellow".
Side 2.
Part 11. Official welcome to HMS Achilles at Auckland Town Hall 10.30am, 23/2/40. Captain Parry's reply to welcome continues, "That particular morning nothing had happened and I had sent the hand away down below at six o'clock...". Parry says one of the best descriptions of everybody's feelings was given by a crew member to an officer, "Well sir, it's a grand thrill even if it's not a laugh." The Captain offers his deepest sympathies to the relatives who have lost loved ones and shares the surviving sailor's initiative to raise money for families of those less fortunate, providing the example of HMS Exeter. He explains how in the report following a battle, one is required to write about lessons learned and in this instance he acknowledges the wonderful spirit, cheerfulness and endurance of his crew. A number of members and officers, he says are pending awards of distinction by the Admiralty and he is very proud to be Captain of the first New Zealand ship to go to action and that his ship's company have behaved so splendidly.
D297.12
Side 1.
Part 10. Official welcome to HMS Achilles at Auckland Town Hall 10.30am, 23/2/40. Captain Parry replies to the welcome addresses from the Mayor of Auckland; the Deputy Prime Minister and Members of the Executive Council; Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board; the representative of "our gallant French Ally"; Mr Tai Mitchell and through him and the Māori people, "for the very nice things he has said about us", sharing his disappointment for missing the anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi and acknowledging the rise of the Māori Battalion. He refers to the actions of HMS Achilles on December 13th [1939] explaining that "number 13 lucky for some" as he goes on to describe the day's movements, ending with "... from the time the light starts to appear until it is full daylight. It is one of the greater ordeals of wartime..."
Side 2.
Part 12. Official welcome to HMS Achilles at Auckland Town Hall 10.30am, 23/2/40. Captain Parry concludes his reply to welcome, "I feel whatever lies ahead of us and no doubt very anxious times do lie ahead of us, we can not fail because the sailors will pull us through ..." Three hearty cheers are prompted [by the Town Clark?] for Captain Parry and his crew, the sailor's wives and thanks are given to the officer's of the Second Echelon. The crowd sings "God Save Our King" accompanied by the military brass band. NBS reporter Mr Drummond closes the relay with sounds from the military parade, crowd, brass band and credits those bodies enabling the broadcast possible.