HMS Achilles sailing into Waitemata Harbour.
Intertitle: “And Here She Comes.” In a composed shot a man stands by a lamppost watching the ship arrive. Biplanes fly overhead in formation. Ship floats past.
“The J’s scream a welcome.” Locomotive blows horn.
“And everyone wants to see.” Crowds line the gates of the wharf, the cruiser in the background. Elevated shot of the warship at berth. A yacht sails close to the rear of the ship. Water borne shots of the ship. Outside the Auckland Town Hall. Various signs congratulating and welcoming the Achilles adorn Queen Street, massive crowd gathered.
“It looks like all Auckland’s at this welcome.” Man people crowded onto a balcony, sailors march up Queens street.
“The 2nd Echelon.” Troops marching. Police attempting to keep the crowd back from spilling onto street.
“Our Heroes.” HMS Achilles crews marching up street. Elevated, long and medium shots. Crowd follows on behind.
“And now its all New Zealand ... the welcome.” Crowds cover streets. Balconies barely supporting masses gathered to watch the parade.
Signs read: ‘Dargaville Welcomes Achilles’, Greetings from Thames’. Further signs adorn the street signalling greetings from other cities, filmed from a moving car.
“Hamilton Twins on leave.” Two HMS Achilles crew beside pond sailing a model boat with a little boy.
“So ends NZ’s first action the present war.”
Commercial Material:
"News Parade - War at sea ! - Battleship Graf Spee Scuttled !"
“Torn and crippled, the Graf Spee at Montevideo.” The crew of the German battle ship standing on the deck of the damaged ship.
“Captain Hans Langsdorff.”
“The end of the Graf Spee.” Various shots of the smoking remains of the ship.
“Doomed in 3 minutes.” “In 10 Minutes a roaring inferno!” “Scuttled by its own Commander.” “A shattered skeleton of its former might!”
“That is one job done.”