Operation Neptune (New Zealand)

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New Zealand International Naval Review
Date8 February – 18 December 2016 (2016-02-08 – 2016-12-18)[1]
VenueDevonport Naval Base and Auckland Harbour
Also known as75th Anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Navy
TypeNaval Review
ThemeMilitary
Organised byRoyal New Zealand Navy

Operation Neptune was a programme of commemorative events and activities held in New Zealand throughout the year 2016 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1941.

navy ensign
Royal New Zealand Navy Ensign

The name “Operation Neptune” was chosen to commemorate the greatest single loss sustained by the New Zealand Navy. HMS Neptune was being prepared for transfer to the Royal New Zealand Navy when she sank after hitting an enemy minefield in the Mediterranean on 19 December 1941 with the loss of all but one man, including all 150 of the New Zealanders who had already joined the ship.[2]

HMS Neptune
HMS Neptune in 1937

History[edit]

Initially established as a division of the Royal Navy in the early 1900s, it was not until 1 October 1941, that His Majesty King George VI approved the designation “Royal New Zealand Navy” for the regular element of the New Zealand Naval Forces; including Reserve and Volunteer Reserve elements.[3]

Events[edit]

Through year[edit]

On 22 January, the Devonport Naval Base was opened to the public for the first time in two years.[4]

The year-long celebrations started on 8 February, when the Royal New Zealand Navy performed a 'Navy Formation Entry' into Auckland Harbour, declaring the start of the Naval Celebrations. The formation included a 17-gun salute undertaken by HMNZS Canterbury whilst passing by the Devonport Naval Base. The salute was reciprocated with an 11-gun salute fired from HMNZS Te Mana, who was berthed at Devonport Naval Base. The salute was to celebrate the appointment of the new-Chief of Navy John Martin, OMNZ[5]

On 20 February 90 sailors stationed on HMNZS Canterbury completed a march through Rangiora, New Zealand.[6]

Through March, HMNZS Manawanui organised a public visit to Gisborne, New Zealand, and hosted two local high schools on deck, Illminster Intermediate School and Tairawhiti Services Academy, before attending the local boys and girls high schools, Gisborne Boys' High School and Gisborne Girls' High School to speak about careers in the Navy.[7]

On 1 October, The New Zealand Naval Ensign was flown on the Auckland Harbour Bridge to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Navy. It was passed through Auckland by-law's that the Naval Ensign will fly on the Harbour Bridge every 1 October from 2016 onward.[8]

Naval plays[edit]

The Royal New Zealand Navy has commissioned Lt. Cdr. Mark Hadlow with the creation of two theatrical plays, The Complete History of the Royal New Zealand Navy, a light-hearted look at the Navy and its history, and Commander Claire and Pirates of Provence, a play for children.

The play, The Complete History of the Royal New Zealand Navy runs for about an hour and a quarter and focuses on the Naval History from Captain Cook to the present day celebrations of Operation Neptune. The play includes William Edward Sanders’ encounter with a German U-boat and it is delivered entirely in jack-speak – navy slang – with a translation thrown in. Also in the play, within the WWII portion, it features the Battle of the River Plate, with a hilarious comparison of gun sizes before the German raider is brought down to size.[9]

International naval review weekend[edit]

HMNZS TK
HMNZS Te Kaha in 2016
HTC
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, Auckland.
Event Date(s) Description Notes
Fleet entry 17 November 2016 New Zealand and International Navy assets enter the Auckland Harbour and berth in the Ports of Auckland and the Devonport Naval Base. A gun salute will occur from the deck of HMNZS Te Kaha for each ship entering the Harbour.[10] [11]
International street march 18 November 2016 The Royal New Zealand Navy will carry out a 1,000-sailor International Naval Review Street Parade to be reviewed by the Mayor of Auckland. The Parade will also feature contingents from foreign military institutes.[12]
International naval review 19 November 2016 The Naval Review will feature Her Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand reviewing the Royal New Zealand Navy and visiting ships.
Open day for visitors 20 November 2016 The Open day will provide a rare and unique experience for the New Zealand public due to the fact that the Navy as well as Visiting Nations will provide open access to all assets on show to the public. Countries and Territories participating in the open day include, Australia, Canada, China, Chile, Cook Islands, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Samoa, Tonga, and the United States of America.[13]
Divine service 20 November 2016 A memorial service to those lost in the 1941 sinking of HMS Neptune in the Mediterranean. Held at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell. Will be attended by all visiting military personnel.
Fleet departure 22 November 2016 All Military Vessels and Assets leave Auckland Harbour, except those stationed at Devonport Naval Base.

Participation[edit]

Ships from Australia, Canada, Cook Islands, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Samoa, Singapore, South Korea, Tonga, and the United States have started arriving to help the Navy celebrate its milestone. Brunei, France, Germany, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Timor Leste, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam are also sending representatives to the celebration but not ships.[14]

New Zealand[edit]

See also: List of active Royal New Zealand Navy ships

All active ships of the Royal New Zealand Navy will be participating,[15] as well as two Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite naval helicopters and one Lockheed P-3 Orion Naval plane.[14]

Australia[edit]

Australia is sending multiple Royal Australian Navy vessels including, but not limited to HMAS Dechaineux, which arrived at Devonport Naval Base on 3 November.[16]

United States[edit]

On 21 July 2016, it was announced that then-Vice President Joe Biden, while on a diplomatic visit to New Zealand, had accepted an invitation for a US Naval vessel to visit New Zealand and participate in the 75th Anniversary celebrations. This was surprising to the New Zealand public due to the fact that the United States of America had not sent any of its Naval forces to New Zealand since 1987.[17]

It was announced on 18 October 2016 that the United States would send USS Sampson along with full-crew of roughly 310 soldiers.[18]

Kaikoura earthquake[edit]

Several ships attending the anniversary were re-deployed, by their respective Governments, to help with the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake recovery efforts. These Ships are New Zealand's HMNZS Te Kaha, HMNZS Canterbury, HMNZS Endeavor, and HMNZS Wellington.[19] International fleet include, United States Navy ship USS Sampson, Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Darwin, and Royal Canadian Navy ship HMCS Vancouver.[20]

On 15 November, the Japanese Navy and Singaporean Government's request to help was granted by the Acting Minister of Civil Defense, Gerry Brownlee.[21]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Royal NZ Navy announces 75th Anniversary programme". New Zealand Navy 75. RNZN Media. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  2. ^ The Neptune Association (19 December 1941). "HMS Neptune lost in Mediterranean minefield". nzhistory.net.nz. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  3. ^ "History of the Royal New Zealand Navy". nzhistory.net.nz. History New Zealand. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  4. ^ Burrow, Alicia (22 January 2016). "`Royal New Zealand Navy celebrates 75th anniversary in Auckland". News Talk ZB. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  5. ^ "Navy formation entry into Harbour part of 75th Anniversary celebrations". New Zealand Navy 75. RNZN Media. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  6. ^ "HMNZS CANTERBURY visiting home port as part of Navy's 75th anniversary". New Zealand Navy 75. RNZN Media. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  7. ^ "HMNZS Manawanui Visits Gisbourne". New Zealand Navy 75. RNZN Media. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  8. ^ "Navy to fly New Zealand white ensign on Auckland Harbour Bridge". New Zealand Navy 75. RNZN Media. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  9. ^ "Hadlow bringing rollicking naval plays to town". New Zealand Navy 75. RNZN Media. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  10. ^ "Fleet Entry". New Zealand Navy 75. RNZN Media. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  11. ^ "Events". New Zealand Navy 75. Royal New Zealand Navy. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  12. ^ "International Street Parade". New Zealand Navy 75. RNZN Media. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  13. ^ "Ship Open Day". New Zealand Navy 75. RNZN Media. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Navy Band to play in Queen Street today". New Zealand Navy 75. RNZN Media. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  15. ^ "Welcome readied for visiting nations to Navy's 75th celebration". RNZN Media. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  16. ^ "Australian submarine surfaces in Auckland Harbour". RNZ. Radio New Zealand. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  17. ^ Young, Audrey (21 July 2016). "United States ship to visit NZ for first time in 33 years". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  18. ^ Key, John (18 October 2016). "US Navy ship cleared to visit New Zealand". The Beehive. New Zealand Government – The Beehive. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  19. ^ "FAQS – What Ships Are Coming To Auckland?". New Zealand Navy 75. RNZN Media. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  20. ^ Nichols, Lane (15 November 2016). "Fleet of international warships to help out with earthquake response". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  21. ^ Brownlee, Gerry (15 November 2016). "International offers of help appreciated". New Zealand Government – The Beehive. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
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