HMNZS Kiwi (T102) explained

HMNZS Kiwi (T102) was a Bird class minesweeper of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

She was commissioned in 1941 for minesweeping and anti-submarine roles. From 1948 to 1956 she functioned as a training ship.

On 29 January 1943, with her sister ship Moa, Kiwi rammed and wrecked^[1] the Japanese submarine I-1. At the time Kiwi was under the command of Lieutenant Commander Gordon Bridson who was awarded the DSC and the United States Navy Cross^[2] for this action. Leading Signalman Campbell Howard Buchanan (7 April 1920, Port Chalmers31 January 1943, Tulagi) manned the Kiwis searchlight during the action and remained at his post despite having been mortally wounded. He was posthumously mentioned in despatches and awarded the United States Navy Cross.^{[3] [4]}

Kiwi was the first vessel with this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy and is named after the national bird of New Zealand.

See also

• Minesweepers of the Royal New Zealand Navy

References

• McDougall, R J (1989) New Zealand Naval Vessels. Page 59–61. Government Printing Office.

Further reading

• Harker, Jack (2000)The Rockies: New Zealand Minesweepers at War. Silver Owl Press.

External links

• Royal NZ Navy's Bird-class ships New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Updated 20 December 2012.
• Photo of HMNZS Kiwi's company
• Photo of damage to the bow of Kiwi

Notes and References

1. Waters, Sydney David (1956) The Royal New Zealand Navy, Page 307-309, Historical Publications Branch, Wellington.
2. http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/1_Citations/03_wwii-nc/nc_06wwii_foreign.html Full Text Citations for award of the Navy Cross
3. Web site: Buchanan, Campbell Howard . . 4 September 2024.
4. Web site: Campbell Buchanan and the I-1 . . 4 September 2024.