2024 Wreath Laying Ceremony

Along with many other distinguished guests, the College was delighted to welcome His Excellency, Dr Richard Davies, Vice Regal Consort, and Her Worship, Janet Holborow, Mayor of the Kāpiti Coast District, to the 2024 SS Otaki Commemoration, held on March 10.  They were joined by Barbara Rudd representing Ngā Hapu o Ōtaki, Mr Derek Whitwam, (President, Arctic Convoy Club NZ) and other Club members, representatives of the Merchant Navy community, Mr John Pearson, Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr Klaus Sattel, First Secretary of the Federal Republic of Germany, Rear Admiral David Proctor, Chief of Navy, SLT Emma Whight, representing the New Zealand Airforce, and Ms Wendy Mohan, representing the Ōtaki District Memorial RSA.

 The focus of the 2024 Commemoration was the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.  On 6 June 1944, known as D-Day, German soldiers standing on the slopes above the Normandy shoreline, and gazing out across the English Channel, would have seen what has been described as ‘the largest seaborne invasion in history.’  In some of the ships in that invasion force, were teenage sailors who, eighty years later, were able to attend the Wreath Laying Service at Ōtaki College.  

Derek Whitwam had been involved in deception operations in HMS Berwick, Stan Welch was there in HMS Apollo and Syd Wells in HMS Magpie.  Other Arctic Convoy Club members were represented by their families, including George Billing who passed away recently aged 99.  Principal, Andy Fraser acknowledged the members of the Artic Convoy Club, noting that “their presence here today allows us to reflect that, while the long years since D-Day have diminished the numbers of these Second World War veterans, those years have served to add to the lustre of their achievements in that war.”

D-Day Landings

2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, also known as the Normandy ­landings, which was a pivotal moment in World War II, marking the Allied ­invasion of German-occupied Western Europe on June 6, 1944. Codenamed ­Operation Overlord, it was the largest amphibious invasion in history.

The operation involved Navy and Air Force personnel supporting over 156,000 Allied troops from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other nations landing on five beaches along the Normandy coast of France.  Many New ­Zealanders participated as part of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force ­contributions.  

The invasion was meticulously planned for months, with extensive coordination between Allied forces and meticulous intelligence gathering to ensure its success. The invasion force faced formidable obstacles, including heavily fortified ­German defences, beach obstacles, and mines. Despite these challenges, the Allies had achieved a foothold on the beaches at the end of the first day, albeit with heavy casualties.

The success of D-Day laid the groundwork for the liberation of German-occupied France, and eventually the defeat of Germany. The invasion marked a turning point in the war, as Allied forces gained a crucial foothold in Europe, allowing them to push further inland and ultimately liberate Western Europe.

The New Zealand Merchant Navy ships Monowai and Aorangi played important roles in the success of D-Day.  Monowai, a passenger liner converted into a troopship, transported troops and equipment to support the invasion forces. Aorangi, a luxury ocean liner ­converted into a troopship, contributed to the massive ­logistical effort ­required for the operation.

The bravery and dedication of the crews of Monowai and Aorangi, like many ­others in the Merchant Navy, played a vital, but often overlooked, role, not only at Normandy, but in other World War II theatres of operation.  In the history of that war, the contribution of the Merchant Navy merits a place alongside that of the Navy, Army and Air Force. 

Compiled by Louis Bevan, Ōtaki College Kaingārahu