- Yes - In the Tech Tree.
- Yes - Event/BP.
- Yes - Premium.
- No - I would not like to see HMNZS Breeze in game.
Description:
One of two purpose-built vessels built for Canterbury Steam Shipping Co, and the first of the pair to be requisitioned for military use. She would serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy in the Second World War, participating in the Pacific campaign.
This suggestion is for her in her Solomon islands fit with the RNZN in 1943.
History:
The lead ship of two, she was built as the MV Breeze, by Scott & Sons, Bowling, for the Canterbury Steam Shipping Co. Ltd. She launched on the 5th of October 1933, completing later in November of the same year. She and her sister ship, MV Gale, hauled lumber and other goods from the Canterbury region across New Zealand.
Upon the New Zealand declaration of war in 1939, the MV Breeze was not seized for military use, as she was seen as of greater value contributing to trade rather than fighting. However, on the discovery of German minefields in NZ Waters laid by German Raiders, it was realised that many more local minesweepers were needed.
For this purpose, the MV Breeze and her sister MV Gale were requisitioned on the 3rd of March 1942 under the protests of her owners. The Breeze was initially fitted with a QF 4-inch Gun, sonar, mine sweeping gear, and depth charges in Wellington. After these works finished, she was commissioned as HMNZS Breeze on the 24th of October 1942.
Although she was intended for the 3rd Minesweeping group of out Lyttelton, she actually served in the 1st Minesweeping group out of Auckland. However, in December 1942, she relieved the HMNZS Rata in the 2nd Minesweeping group out of Wellington, where she remained until April 1943.
During the time that HMNZS Breeze was relieving the Rata, HMNZS, Kiwi, Tui, Moa, and Matai sailed for the Solomon Islands. However, upon the loss of Kiwi in April 1943, a replacement mine sweeper was needed. For this, HMNZS Breeze was selected. She was fitted with a further two single 20mm Oerlikon mounts and sailed on the 20th, arriving at Tulagi as part of the 25th Minesweeping flotilla.
During this period, she fell under COMSOPAC operational control, being assigned to night time patrolling, as well as convoy escort in the Iron-bottom sound region. The Japanese during this time were north, but occasionally made stabs south. It was in one of these attacks that the Breeze was attacked during an escorting mission by Japanese dive bombers. However, she survived the attack undamaged.
HMNZS Breeze, Gale, and Matai together formed the 94th Auxiliary Minesweeping group within the 25th Minesweeping flotilla. At this time, she collided with a US LST (USS LST895) losing one of her boats. To reduce the risk of collision, she was given search radar.
Canterbury Steam Shipping Co, who had protested the Breeze’s requisition, continued campaigning for their ship to be returned to them for her service, demanding her return in January 1944. This was successful, and HMNZS Breeze was returned and de-armed in Auckland on the 8th of December of the same year.
She was sold to a buyer in the Philippines in 1964 and renamed in 1966. She was sold and renamed a further three times, the last of which being in 1981.
| General Characteristics: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name: HMNZS Breeze | |||||
| Country: New Zealand | |||||
| Type: Minesweeper | |||||
| Class name: Breeze | |||||
| Year of commission: 1942 | |||||
| Refit: 1943 | |||||
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||
| Dimensions: | |||||
| Length: 175 ft (53.4m) | |||||
| Beam: 27 ft (8.2m) | |||||
| Draught: 10.3 ft (3.13m) | |||||
| Displacement: 622t | |||||
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||
| Propulsion: | |||||
| Powerplant: 5 cylinder diesel - 725bhp (540kW) | |||||
| Speed: 11kt | |||||
| Endurance: Unknown | |||||
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||
| Armament & sensors: | |||||
| Compliment: 42 | |||||
| Primary armament: 1x1 QF-4 inch Mark V | |||||
| Secondary armament: 2x1 20mm Oerlikon | |||||
| Tertiary armament: 2x1 .303 Lewis | |||||
| Sensors: ASDIC, RADAR |
Sources
HMNZS Breeze (T02) - Wikipedia
https://navymuseum.co.nz/explore/by-collections/ships/breeze/
Australian and New Zealand Warships 1914-1945, pp 294-295
R.J. McDougall, New Zealand Naval Vessels, Christchurch: GP Books, 1989, pp. 69-78
Motor Vessel BREEZE built by Scott & Sons in 1933 for Canterbury Steam Shipping Co. Ltd., Lyttelton, Coaster