by Matthew Wright | Jan 30, 2020 | History Article
It’s not often that a city’s memorial to a warship is larger than the ship itself. Or that the ship’s bell continues to be rung in that city to this day, honouring the way the navy came to the rescue when tragedy unfolded. But that’s true in Napier, New Zealand, where...
by Matthew Wright | Aug 14, 2019 | History Article
During 1941 a small group of New Zealand coast-watchers, mainly civilian volunteers from the Post and Telegraph Department, were stationed in the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati). They formed part of a forward line of listening posts intended to intercept Japanese radio...
by Matthew Wright | Mar 26, 2019 | History Article
During the Second World War, Japan conducted a small but significant submarine campaign into the Pacific and Indian oceans, ultimately ranging as far as the west coast of the United States and the South Pacific. First to reach the South Pacific was the 2,550 ton Type...
by Matthew Wright | Aug 7, 2018 | History Article
The story of William Sanders (1883-1917) remains one of the most intriguing personal sea experiences of the First World War. His career, though brief, can best be described as outstanding: in quick succession he won first the Victoria Cross and then the Distinguished...
by Matthew Wright | Jul 25, 2018 | History Article
By January 1945 the Second World War had long turned in favour of the Allies. Germany was on the retreat across Europe, and Japan had been pushed back to a shrinking perimeter around the Home Islands. The idea of a U-boat turning up off the New Zealand coast that...
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