NEW ZEALAND MEMORIES BY VIKRAM KARVE
WAR MEMORIALS and MUSEUM
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PART 1
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WAR MEMORIALS
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We (my spouse and I) visited New Zealand for the primary time 8 years in the past within the 12 months 2015.
After two lengthy flights by Korean Air – the primary from Mumbai to Incheon (Seoul) of round 9 hours length – then – a wait at Incheon Airport for five hours – adopted by the Incheon to Auckland flight of virtually 12 hours – we landed at Auckland Worldwide Airport New Zealand at 0800 Hrs (8 AM) native time on the 23rd of December 2015 – the place our daughter was ready for us with a buddy who had introduced his automotive alongside.
Since our Lodge ‘check-in’ was as 1400 Hrs (2 PM) – we determined to drive round Auckland and see the sights.
I fell in love with Auckland instantly.
From the plane we had seen sailboats under within the harbor – and we drove previous these too – no surprise Auckland is named “metropolis of sails”.
Town was very clear – the air was pure – the visitors very disciplined – and the individuals very courteous – and it was a pleasure to drive round and go to varied locations – an uplifting expertise driving on the very good roads, winding their manner within the hilly terrain amidst on the picturesque surroundings.
Our magnanimous “host” took us on a drive by way of Auckland – after which we visited Mission Bay Seaside – the place we walked on the seashore within the heat solar.
Then we drove all the way down to St Heliers which has an impressive Seafront and breathtaking Seaside amidst inexperienced foliage.
Right here – whereas strolling at St. Heliers – by pure likelihood – I found the Achilles Memorial at Achilles Level commemorating the victory of HMS Achilles within the Battle of River Plate in World Warfare 2.
I used to be aware of this warship – since – HMS Achilles was later transferred to the Indian Navy and commissioned as INS Delhi.
I found this “struggle memorial” by sheer likelihood – even our “host” who was driving us round didn’t learn about it – and he had introduced us right here – since this was a scenic seaside spot and seashore.
Achilles was initially constructed for the Royal Navy, and was commissioned as HMS Achilles on 10 October 1933. She would serve with the Royal Navy’s New Zealand Division from 31 March 1937 onwards. Roughly 60 per cent of her crew was from New Zealand.
The Achilles Level Memorial commemorates the gallant efficiency of New Zealand Navy Sailors (and the supreme sacrifice of 4 martyrs) on HMS Achilles within the Battle of the River Plate in 1939 and within the South Atlantic in World Warfare 2.
Later, after the creation of the Royal New Zealand Navy, HMS Achilles was transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy in September 1941 and recommissioned HMNZS Achilles.
HMNZS Achilles was returned to the Royal Navy on the finish of the Second World Warfare.
In 1948 – HMS Achilles was bought to the Royal Indian Navy and recommissioned as HMIS Delhi.
In 1950 – the warship was renamed INS Delhi and remained in service till decommissioned on 30 June 1978. Most senior citizen Indian Navy Veterans (together with these of my classic) will need to have seen INS Delhi in service.
On 16 January 1940, in an effort to acknowledge and honour the function the New Zealand Crewed Ship HMS Achilles had performed within the Battle of the River Plate, the primary main naval battle of World Warfare 2, which result in the defeat of the German Cruiser Graf Spee, the Auckland Metropolis Council resolved to call the tip of the headland on the western facet of the Tamaki River as Achilles Level.
This vantage level enjoys commanding views of the Pacific Ocean over the Hauraki Gulf – and of Auckland Metropolis too.
On 13 December 1940 – a memorial was constructed at Achilles Level to commemorate the victory of HMS Achilles. Its construction took the type of a ship’s bow. The Achilles Level memorial plaque has the inscription:
“This Reserve is devoted to commemorate the gallant efficiency of HMS Achilles and the bravery of her Captain, Officers and Ship’s Firm within the victorious naval battle fought within the South Atlantic off the River Plate on December 13th 1939…”
There may be additionally a plaque in remembrance of the 4 Naval Rankings (Sailors) who sacrificed their lives through the Battle of the River Plate.
Listed below are a couple of photos of the Achilles Memorial which I clicked on the 23rd of December 2015.
ACHILLES POINT ST. HELIERS AUCKLAND
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| Achilles Memorial |
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| Commemorative Plaque – Achilles Level |
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| Inscription |
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| Remembrance |
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| Achilles Ship’s Crest |
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| Engraving HMS Achilles |
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| Sea View From Memorial |
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| View of Memorial with Pacific Ocean in Background |
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| Achilles Level Commemorative Plaque |
Parnell Rose Gardens Auckland
Subsequent morning – we went on a morning stroll from our resort to the close by Parnell Rose Gardens (Dove Myer Robinson Park) – and – we got here throughout two struggle memorials within the backyard.
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| Korean Warfare Memorial |
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| Inscription |
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| Netherlands Memorial |
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| Easy Monument in Tranquil Environment |
NEWMARKET AUCKLAND
Within the night – we walked all the way down to Newmarket – a fancy market of Auckland – and – even there – I observed a memorial in remembrance of troopers who had laid down their lives for the nation.
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| Newmarket Memorial |
PAPANUI GARDEN CHRISTCHURCH
On the 25th of December 2015 – we flew all the way down to Christchurch – and – on a night stroll in Papanui – the place our resort was positioned – I found a memorial within the neighbourhood backyard.
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| Papanui Warfare Memorial Monument |
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| Plaque |
As I traveled in New Zealand – I noticed that each neighbourhood/borough/village has a backyard – and in that backyard – there’s a elegant struggle memorial – on that are engraved the names of martyrs from the neighbourhood/borough/village.
These memorials to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of martyrs are easy, sober, solemn and dignified. There isn’t any show of vulgar “jingoism” – and – these elegant unpretentious monuments of remembrance have an atmosphere of silence, dignity and solemnity about them.
AUCKLAND WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Accomplished in 1929 on the best level on the Auckland Area – the Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum is a powerful construction – with its imposing neoclassical temple capped with a powerful copper-and-glass dome – dominates the Auckland Area and is a distinguished a part of the Auckland skyline – particularly when seen from the Harbour.
After World Warfare 2 – the constructing was prolonged to embody struggle memorials for the over 4,000 Aucklanders who misplaced their lives within the Second World Warfare. The semicircular extension on the rear of the constructing was opened in 1960 to offer house for the “World Warfare 2 Corridor of Recollections” which now additionally encompasses the names of these martyred in subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
I shall write an in depth put up on the Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum later in my Weblog – with photos of the struggle memorial, commemorative halls and navy displays.
For now – listed below are two photos of the Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum.
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| Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum |
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| Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum – World Warfare 2 Corridor of Recollections |
Seeing these struggle memorial monuments had a long-lasting impression on me – whether or not small or giant in measurement – every memorial was a elegant epitome of reverence, class and dignity.
Apart from the early New Zealand Wars (1843–1872) which had been fought on New Zealand soil – the opposite wars wherein New Zealanders participated – these wars had been fought distant from its shores – South African Warfare, World Warfare 1 and World Warfare 2 – and – even the following UN Peacekeeping Missions wherein the New Zealand Defence Forces participated had been in distant lands.
For a few years now – New Zealand is likely one of the most peaceable nations on this planet.
India’s inhabitants is nearly 300 instances greater than New Zealand.
Measurement-wise – India is 12 instances bigger than New Zealand.
India has one of many largest Armed Forces on this planet – particularly the large Military.
In comparison with India – the scale of New Zealand’s Armed Forces (Military Navy Air Power) is minuscule.
India has confronted many wars and conflicts – and – there may be at all times some Low Depth Battle (LIC) on account of terrorism/militancy/insurgency occurring on account of which troopers are martyred fairly continuously.
In distinction – New Zealand is a peaceable nation.
In the event you exclude the early New Zealand Wars, there have hardly been any direct wars on New Zealand territory – nonetheless – New Zealand made a big contribution to Allied Forces in World Wars 1 and a couple of and Peacekeeping Operations later by deploying its Armed Forces overseas.
Nonetheless – one factor is clear:
New Zealand respects its Martyrs – troopers, sailors and airmen who laid down their lives combating below the New Zealand Flag – the 900 Warfare Memorials positioned all through the size and breadth of New Zealand – in every neighbourhood, borough, village, city and metropolis – bear testimony to the reverence accorded to the navy.
There are a couple of Warfare Memorials in India – together with the just lately constructed spectacular struggle memorial in New Delhi. However there are hardly any memorials in villages to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of our navy males in uniform. I really feel it will be a noble thought to emulate New Zealand on this regard and we can also have comparable easy, elegant and stylish struggle memorials – in every village – in every locality in each metropolis – engraved with the names of martyrs from that village or locality – as a remembrance to martyred troopers, sailors and airmen who carry out the supreme sacrifice and lay down their lives for the nation.
References:
‘New Zealand Wars memorials’, URL: http://www.nzhistory.internet.nz/struggle/new-zealand-wars-memorials, (Ministry for Tradition and Heritage), up to date 20-Dec-2012
‘Memorials register’, URL: http://www.nzhistory.internet.nz/tradition/the-memorials-register, (Ministry for Tradition and Heritage), up to date 19-Nov-2013
‘NZ memorials register map’, URL: http://www.nzhistory.internet.nz/map/memorials-register-map, (Ministry for Tradition and Heritage), up to date 20-Dec-2012
‘HMS Achilles memorial, St Heliers’, URL: http://www.nzhistory.internet.nz/media/picture/hms-achilles-memorial-st-heliers, (Ministry for Tradition and Heritage), up to date 3-Jul-2014
Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum, URL: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/about-us/history-of-auckland-museum
I’ve written this travelogue based mostly alone private expertise throughout my go to to New Zealand in December 2015/January 2016 – after all – I’ve referred to References cited above for cross-checking and background info.
Nonetheless – all the images within the travelogue have been clicked by me on my smartphone.
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PART 2
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AUCKLAND WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Spectacular Show of the Navy Heritage of New Zealand
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MUSINGS ON MILITARY MUSEUMS
India’s first Plane Provider INS Vikrant was decommissioned in 1997 – and – as a becoming tribute to the warship’s yeoman’s service to the nation – it was determined to protect INS Vikrant as a “Museum Ship” based mostly in Mumbai.
Accordingly – INS Vikrant was transformed right into a Naval Museum Ship IMS (Indian Museum Ship) Vikrant.
The Museum Ship was very effectively conceived – the Indian Navy put in a variety of effort – and IMS Vikrant had a captivating show of Naval Artifacts.
This attention-grabbing “afloat” Navy Museum had an added novelty of being on a well-known ship – and this tribute to Naval Heritage attracted many guests – regardless of not being simply accessible because of the safety restrictions.
It was proposed to anchor this floating Navy Museum off Mumbai harbour to make it a high attraction to residents, guests and vacationers.
Nonetheless – all these noble plans by no means materialized – and – after a couple of years – the Navy Museum was dismantled – and the grand outdated ship INS Vikrant was scrapped.
Sadly – our Politicians and Civilian Residents don’t appear to be thinking about preserving our navy heritage – even though – India has fought main wars – and our Navy Forces are in a continuing state of fight – constantly engaged in counter-insurgency operations and motion in opposition to militants/terrorists.
In distinction – even a small peaceable nation like New Zealand has spectacular Warfare Memorials and Navy Museums – to commemorate the few wars and peacekeeping missions wherein its residents participated – principally abroad.
The exceptional Navy Museums in New Zealand are distinguished landmarks and high sights – for residents and guests.
For instance – if you happen to open any customer information or tourism brochure – you will notice that the magnificent Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum is highlighted as a high sightseeing attraction.
Different Navy Museums just like the New Zealand Maritime Museum, Torpedo Bay Navy Museum and Aviation Show (at MOTAT) are hyped as “should see” sightseeing sights in Auckland and determine prominently on all customer guides and vacationer itineraries – and so is the case with the Air Power Museum of New Zealand at Christchurch – and all the opposite Navy Museums at varied locations in New Zealand.
Most people is well-informed of those Navy Museums – and any vacationer visiting New Zealand will likely be made conscious and inspired to go to these museums.
By the way in which – there are variety of good Navy Museums in India too – created in a piecemeal method at varied navy areas – however – sadly – most civilians will not be conscious of those museums.
For instance – let me ask you: “Have you ever visited Goa?”
In that case – you will need to have visited the wonderful seashores and different sights in Goa.
However – are you conscious that there’s a powerful Naval Aviation Museum in Goa?
Does this Navy Museum determine prominently in any customer information or vacationer itinerary?
Equally – there are Navy Museums (created by the Military, Navy and Air Power) at varied locations in India – in New Delhi, Ahmednagar, Jaisalmer, Port Blair, Pune – and possibly in a couple of different locations – however – is the civilian public conscious of those navy museums – and are these navy museums publicized as high vacationer sights?
Why is it – that there are lots of Navy Museums in India – however most of those are unknown to civilian residents and never simply accessible to most people…?
That is simply “meals for thought” – shouldn’t we be happy with our navy heritage as different nations rightly are?
AUCKLAND WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Now – let me inform you a bit in regards to the spectacular Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum – an impressive construction with a perfectly commanding presence because it stands tall and mighty atop the Auckland Area within the coronary heart of Auckland.
Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum, one in every of New Zealand’s best heritage buildings, stands on the hill identified by Māori as Pukekawa.
The Warfare Memorial Museum has occupied this website since 1929 when subscriptions raised by Aucklanders in remembrance of their struggle useless (in World Warfare 1) enabled the development of what’s thought-about one in every of New Zealand’s greatest monuments.
After World Warfare 2 – the Museum constructing was prolonged to embody struggle memorials for the over 4000 Aucklanders who misplaced their lives within the Second World Warfare – and to accommodate the ever-increasing artifacts within the Museum’s collections.
The semicircular extension on the rear of the constructing was opened in 1960, offering extra flooring house and the World Warfare 2 Corridor of Recollections which now additionally encompasses the names of these misplaced in subsequent peacekeeping missions and conflicts.
Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum is a sacrosanct monument of remembrance for households and returned service personnel who want to honor their family members and fallen comrades.
This imposing neoclassical temple, capped with a powerful copper-and-glass dome, dominates the Auckland Area and is a distinguished a part of the Auckland skyline, particularly when seen from the harbour.
The Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum contains a very attention-grabbing, informative and educative show of New Zealand’s heritage.
1. Individuals of the Pacific – which options artifacts and details about the pioneers who explored and settled down in New Zealand.
2. Tales of our Land and Sea – which has fascinating details about the geological origins and pure historical past of New Zealand earlier than the arrival of human settlers.
3. New Zealand Warfare Tales – which is essentially the most spectacular part of the museum – contains a captivating show of the navy heritage of New Zealand and highlights the gallant participation of New Zealanders in wars worldwide by way of historical past and their vital contribution to peacekeeping forces all through the world. The Halls of Reminiscence commemorate the supreme sacrifice of troopers, sailors and airmen – and bear testimony to the remaining respect and admiration the armed forces have in New Zealand.
This museum is so attention-grabbing that you will need to take out a whole day for seeing this spectacular museum throughout your keep in Auckland New Zealand.
Listed below are a couple of images I clicked throughout my go to to the Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum on 31 December 2015.
Footage of the Spectacular Warfare Museum
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| Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum – Essential (North) Entrance |
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| Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum – South Entrance |
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| World Warfare 1 – Corridor of Recollections |
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| World Warfare 2 – Corridor of Recollections |
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| World Warfare 2 – Remembrance Inscriptions and File of Fallen |
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| HMS Achilles Bell |
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| Spitfire Fighter Plane – World Warfare 2 |
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| Zero (Japanese) Fighter Plane – World Warfare 2 |
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| Memorial Corridor – World Warfare 2 |
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| Navy Artifacts |
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| Maori Wars Artifacts |
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| Above and Beneath – Random Photographs of Shows |
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| View of South Entrance of Museum |
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| Instrument of Give up with Japan – Finish of WW2 |
I may click on only a few images since many shows had been fairly elaborate with subdued lighting and my smartphone battery ran out – however – I can say that this museum is essentially the most spectacular Navy Museum I’ve seen thus far. Certainly – the Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum is likely one of the greatest museums I’ve ever visited.
I hope India emulates New Zealand on this regard to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of our navy males in uniform – and we too create and proudly publicize comparable spectacular Navy Museums in India to showcase our Navy Heritage and encourage future generations – and construct elegant Warfare Memorials as a remembrance to martyred troopers, sailors and airmen who carry out the supreme sacrifice and lay down their lives for the nation.
Most significantly – we should make these navy museums simply accessible to the general public and vacationers.
I’ve written this travelogue based mostly alone private expertise throughout my go to to the Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum New Zealand on 31 December 2015 – and – after all – I’ve referred to the references cited under for cross-checking and background info.
References:
Nonetheless – all the images within the travelogue have been clicked by me on my smartphone.
Expensive Reader: Do let me know if you recognize of any Navy Museums and Warfare Memorials – and – hope you loved the digital tour of the Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum New Zealand.
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I visited quite a lot of Museums and Artwork Galleries throughout my New Zealand visits (Footage in my Social Media Accounts)
These navy museums are positively price a go to while you go to New Zealand:
New Zealand Maritime Museum Auckland
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum Devonport
MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Expertise) Auckland
Air Power Museum Christchurch
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| Maritime Museum |
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| Torpedo Bay Navy Museum |
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| MOTAT |
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| Air Power Museum |
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VIKRAM KARVE
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