Naval Exercise

The forested mountains of Kāpiti became practice ground for tropical jungle, its sand dunes resounded to small-arms fire, and its beaches were attacked in practice manoeuvres by landing craft.

The night of June 20, 1943 was pitch dark. The surf was heavy when the motor went dead on last boat left, carrying the ‘beach party’ of 25 sailors. About 11 p.m. a powerful LCM1 had attached a thick towline to the smaller landing craft, but when it started for the ship a huge wave overturned it dumping the men in icy turbulent water. Those picked up by the rescue boats were close to freezing. Next morning nine bodies were found on the beach – one man was never discovered. Find out more about this tragic incident…