Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 26, 2023 21:22:43 GMT 12
LOFOTEN RAID
AUCKLANDER'S PART
SENIOR LANDING OFFICER
LIEUTENANT H. J. C. GEORGE
Senior landing officer in the Anglo-Norwegian raid on the German-controlled Lofoten Islands on March 3 was an Aucklander. Lieutenant H. J. C. George. R.N.V.R. Although he had his hands frost-bitten, Lieutenant George wrote to relatives in Auckland a few days later describing the raid, and his share in it. The letter was received yesterday by his sister, Miss M. George.
"I suppose you have read all about that naval raid in Norway," Lieutenant George wrote. "I was right in the thick of it, being the senior landing officer of the whole expedition.
"My word, didn't we clean up things a treat. You should have seen the Boche run. Those who wouldn't stop we machine-gunned. It was terribly cold, four feet of snow down to the water's edge, and the spray froze on everything, icicles all round one's tin hat.
"I got my hands frost-bitten as I had to take my gloves off to hold my revolver when nearing the shore, but did not need to fire. We made some great blazes. I don't know what a lot of us will be doing after the war. Every big factory one sees one will be scheming to blow it up.
"Most of the volunteers had only a few seconds to make up their minds to come, and came away with what they stood up in," Lieutenant George continued, referring to loyal Norwegians returning to Britain with the raiders. "We brought away eight girls for nurses. Language was a handicap. However, we managed to make them feel happy. Fancy women on board a warship in action!
"We went well north and the Northern Lights were wonderful at times. The Boche prisoners did not look starved at all. They had very good leather knee-boots and their uniforms were of fine quality, but very light. No work in them, so I guess they were not too warm.
"If there are any more 'stunts' in this part of the world like this last one, you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm not far away," he concluded. "It is a grand life if one doesn't weaken."
An old boy of the Auckland Grammar School, Lieutenant George is a former commodore oi the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and owner of the A-class keeler Victory. A prominent Auckland yachtsman, he is a partner in the legal firm of Lovegrove and George. He was rejected for naval service in New Zealand, but paid his own passage to England in April last year, being accepted for service there, and later appointed to a naval ship. A single man, and holder of a yachtmaster's certificate, Lieutenant George is a brother of Captain G. B. George, of Auckland.
AUCKLANDER'S PART
SENIOR LANDING OFFICER
LIEUTENANT H. J. C. GEORGE
Senior landing officer in the Anglo-Norwegian raid on the German-controlled Lofoten Islands on March 3 was an Aucklander. Lieutenant H. J. C. George. R.N.V.R. Although he had his hands frost-bitten, Lieutenant George wrote to relatives in Auckland a few days later describing the raid, and his share in it. The letter was received yesterday by his sister, Miss M. George.
"I suppose you have read all about that naval raid in Norway," Lieutenant George wrote. "I was right in the thick of it, being the senior landing officer of the whole expedition.
"My word, didn't we clean up things a treat. You should have seen the Boche run. Those who wouldn't stop we machine-gunned. It was terribly cold, four feet of snow down to the water's edge, and the spray froze on everything, icicles all round one's tin hat.
"I got my hands frost-bitten as I had to take my gloves off to hold my revolver when nearing the shore, but did not need to fire. We made some great blazes. I don't know what a lot of us will be doing after the war. Every big factory one sees one will be scheming to blow it up.
"Most of the volunteers had only a few seconds to make up their minds to come, and came away with what they stood up in," Lieutenant George continued, referring to loyal Norwegians returning to Britain with the raiders. "We brought away eight girls for nurses. Language was a handicap. However, we managed to make them feel happy. Fancy women on board a warship in action!
"We went well north and the Northern Lights were wonderful at times. The Boche prisoners did not look starved at all. They had very good leather knee-boots and their uniforms were of fine quality, but very light. No work in them, so I guess they were not too warm.
"If there are any more 'stunts' in this part of the world like this last one, you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm not far away," he concluded. "It is a grand life if one doesn't weaken."
An old boy of the Auckland Grammar School, Lieutenant George is a former commodore oi the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and owner of the A-class keeler Victory. A prominent Auckland yachtsman, he is a partner in the legal firm of Lovegrove and George. He was rejected for naval service in New Zealand, but paid his own passage to England in April last year, being accepted for service there, and later appointed to a naval ship. A single man, and holder of a yachtmaster's certificate, Lieutenant George is a brother of Captain G. B. George, of Auckland.
