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HMS Achilles, British light cruiser, WW2
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HMS Achilles, British light cruiser, WW2
HMS Achilles (70), British light class cruiser which served with the Royal New Zealand Navy during the Second World War. Seen here with a seaplane on board. Date: 1939
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Media ID 14171014
© Mary Evans / Pharcide
Achilles Carrier Cruiser Seaplane Zealand
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the HMS Achilles, a British light cruiser of the C-class, during her service with the Royal New Zealand Navy in the late 1930s. The image, taken in 1939, shows the ship with a seaplane on board, adding an extra layer of versatility and capability to its already impressive warfighting abilities. Commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1936, HMS Achilles was one of the most advanced light cruisers of its time, boasting a top speed of over 35 knots and an impressive armament of twelve 5.25-inch guns. In 1937, the ship was transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy as part of a program to bolster the Pacific Fleet's defenses against potential Japanese aggression. The addition of a seaplane on board, likely a Fairey Swordfish or a Catalina, expanded the HMS Achilles' role beyond traditional cruiser duties. The aircraft could be used for reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, and even bombing raids against enemy targets. This versatility made the HMS Achilles a valuable asset to the Royal New Zealand Navy during the early stages of World War II. The photograph's composition, with the ship's distinctive silhouette against the open sea and the seaplane's wings spread wide, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of naval warfare during this era. The Union Jack and New Zealand ensigns flying proudly from the masthead serve as a testament to the international cooperation and shared determination to defend against the threats of the time. This historical image offers a unique glimpse into the past, transporting us back to a time of global conflict and the indomitable spirit of those who served on the seas.
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