WAR VETERAN: HMAS Tobruk will play a key role in the morning exercise.
Auckland’s Queens Wharf could look a little like the Normandy beaches tomorrow as the military practice landing soldiers ashore.
One of the Royal Australian Navy’s oldest service ships, HMAS Tobruk will play a key role in the morning exercise.
A New Zealand Army infantry company of up to 200 soldiers will practice getting on and off Tobruk using small boats.
The ship, which is already moored in Auckland, is taking part in Exercise Pae Tata to develop the Defence Force’s integrated amphibious capability to use army, air force and navy to secure landing sites.
The Defence Force says various sites will be used around Auckland with maritime, land, and air forces working together to conduct a beach landing.
Two Royal New Zealand Navy ships will take part, as well as several air force planes and the army.
Tobruk, which is classified as a “Landing Ship Heavy”, was commissioned in 1981. It was to have been retired in the early 1990s, but remains in service.
The ship honours the Siege of Tobruk in North Africa during which mainly Australians were involved in World War Two against forces led by Erwin Rommel.
– © Fairfax NZ News
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