When the cruiser HMS Achilles opened fire on the German ‘pocket battleship’ Admiral Graf Spee in the South Atlantic, at 6.21 a.m. on 13 December 1939, it became the first New Zealand unit to strike a blow at the enemy in the Second World War. Read about the Battle of the River Plate.
More to explore.
First Aid at Sea in the Second World War
Medical personnel played a vital role at sea during the Second World War.
Looking back on the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Looking back on coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
The scuttling of the Graf Spee video
Short video of the scuttling of the Battleship the Admiral Graf Spee.
New Zealand HMS
HMS New Zealand served at all three naval battles of WW1.
80th Anniversary WRNZNS
Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Women’s Royal New Zealand Naval Service.
Signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender
Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed on the 2 September 1945.
Operation Struggle
Midget submarine XE3 carried out a successful attack on a Japanese cruiser.
Wrens
Brief history of women’s war service in New Zealand Navy.
Images from Battle of the River Plate
Gallery of images from the Battle of the River Plate.
Veteran shares memories
WW2 veteran Brian Breen remembers his time in HMNZS Leander.