Part 3 of 4
A series of recordings by Mobile unit commentator Doug Laurenson [Military Service no. 34957], made on board the troopship "Empress of Japan" three days out from New Zealand, en-route to Egypt. He describes the scene from the deck as the cruiser "HMNZS Achilles" prepares to depart from the convoy of troop transports it has been escorting. Achilles is much smaller than the Empress of Japan, and can be seen rolling a lot more in the swell. Her crew are lining the deck facing the troopship, while flag signals are exchanged between the two vessels. The men on both ships give three cheers. The men and band on Achilles can be heard faintly singing "The Māori song of farewell", [Pō Atarau - Now is the Hour]
This item is part of a collection of recordings made by the Mobile Broadcasting Units, which travelled overseas with New Zealand forces between 1940-1945. They recorded New Zealanders' experiences of war and messages to their families and friends, which were sent back home to be played on a weekly radio programme.