Operation Calypso - Royal New Zealand Navy

naVal Heritage
BOOk reVieW
nortH sea warrior and,
a war by stealtH
by gerry wright
The stories of two naval heroes - Lieutenant
Commander Jim Macdonald DSO DSC**Mid(2)
RNZNVR and Lieutenant Walter Drake DSC RNZNVR
reVieWed By riCHard JaCkSOn
The wartime stories of New Zealand’s naval
heroes are not often told, and yet they are
central to our history. Two books have recently
been published by Gerry Wright that will go a
long way towards correcting this imbalance.
These stories profile the heroic roles of two New
Zealanders who played key roles in the Royal
Navy during a time of real need.
North Sea Warrior tells the story of Lieutenant
Commander Jim Macdonald who was New
Zealand’s most highly decorated naval officer
of World War II. A War by Stealth profiles
Lieutenant Wally Drake who may have sunk
more enemy ships than any other New
Zealander in World War II, and did so without
firing a shot in anger.
In Coastal Forces Jim Macdonald commanded
Motor Torpedo Boats, and soon earned a
reputation as a daring and innovative officer. As
a Sub-Lieutenant and Second-in-Command of
MTB31 he was awarded his first Distinguished
Service Cross (DSC) in March 1942. When the
ship was attacked by three German E-boats
and set on fire, he not only fought the fires, but
dived overboard to save the life of the Chief
Motor Mechanic, and also helped in the salvage
of the ship. He was also the youngest man to
command one of the King’s fighting ships.
Later, in Command of MTB241 he fought
nine actions in four months and was awarded
a Bar to his DSC. In September 1943 he was
promoted to Lieutenant, and at the age of 22
became the youngest officer to command a
flotilla of MTBs. Jim Macdonald was awarded
a second Bar to his DSC in July 1944 for his
performance in two actions, and in seven
successful mine-laying operations. As Flotilla
Leader, when his own ship was sunk he
transferred to another and continued the
action.
In July 1944 he attempted to sink a heavily
34 NT162AUGUST11
armed German transport with three MTBs until
it made safety of the harbour. While returning to
his base, he discovered a second convoy and
pressed home a successful attack, despite the
risk of enemy air attack during broad daylight.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service
Order (DSO) for this action. He was twice
mentioned in despatches and as one of the
most highly decorated New Zealanders of the
war Jim Macdonald was regarded as an “Ace”
of Coastal Forces.
Another notable New Zealander operating in
coastal waters during the War was Walter Drake.
As First Lieutenant, and later Commanding
Officer of Motor Launch 106 and finally senior
officer of the 51st ML Flotilla, Lieutenant Walter
Charles Drake, DSC, RNZNVR took part in
thirty four successful mine-laying operations in
enemy waters off the Dutch coast in the North
Sea. He was awarded a Distinguished Service
Cross (DSC) in July 1944.
Not many went to war with instructions from
‘On High’ requiring that on meeting the enemy
to ‘retire behind smoke and try again on the
following nights until you are successful’. As
well as minelaying, Wally’s contribution included
the development of navigation aids to assist
navigation in the difficult coastal waters off
Europe. His last significant operation was to
navigate the invasion force into Walcheren to
open the entrance to Antwerp. In this operation
involving Canadians and Royal Marines the
British suffered over 12,000 casualties.
About 7000 New Zealand officers and ratings
served with the Royal Navy during World War II.
New Zealand had the manpower but few ships,
while Britain had ships with limited manpower.
New Zealanders saw active service in ships of
every type of ship from battleships and aircraftcarriers
to submarines, motor-launches, and
landing craft, and in every sea from Spitzbergen
in the Arctic to the shores of Japan.
New Zealand is a small and young nation
with a well researched and documented naval
history. These two new books – A War by
Stealth and North Sea Warrior will go a long way
towards providing long overdue recognition for
the stories of two of our naval heroes.
Copies of Gerry Wright’s books are available direct from the author (gerrywright@xtra.co.nz), the Navy
Museum or bookshops.
North Sea Warrior - $30.00 plus $5.00 P&P within NZ ISBN 978-0-473-16744-8
A War by Stealth - $25.00 plus $5.00 within NZ ISBN 978-0-473-14851-5
Salty Dits - $30.00 plus $5.00 P&P within NZ ISBN 978-0-473-17905-2
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