Mar. 15, 1950: A collection of photos from a joint RAN, RNZN exercise as the ships came into Auckland Harbour.

Posted byjcnz16613October 2, 2025Posted inAll RNZN/NZDF News Past and PresentEditMar. 15, 1950: A collection of photos from a joint RAN, RNZN exercise as the ships came into Auckland Harbour.

HMAS SYDNEY leads a fleet entry into Auckland after combined RAN and RNZN exercises.

HMAS SYDNEY [III] leads 11 RAN and RNZN ships into Waitemata Harbour, Auckland - HMNZS BELLONA astern of Sydney

HMAS SYDNEY [III] and HMAS AUSTRALIA [II] lead ceremonial entry into Auckland Harbour

F625 HMNZS Rotoiti, F517 HMNZS Tutira, F424 HMNZS Pukaki and ahead of Pukaki, HMNZS Taupo (no Penant number)

In March 1950, a series of combined naval exercises occurred in the Auckland area, involving four Royal New Zealand Navy Loch-class frigates (HMNZS Taupo, Rotoiti, Tutira, and Pukaki) alongside the Australian frigate HMAS Murchison. These exercises also included the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney, destroyers, and cruisers, though the focus was on the frigates operating in Akaroa Harbour.  

Details of the Exercise 

• Participants: The Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal Australian Navy participated.
• RNZN Loch-class frigates: The specific frigates involved were HMNZS Taupo, Rotoiti, Tutira, and Pukaki.
• Other ships: The Royal Australian Navy contributed HMAS Murchison, the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney, and destroyers HMAS Bataan and Warramunga.
• Location: The activities took place in Akaroa Harbour.
• Significance: The exercises were a significant event for the RNZN and RAN, highlighting cooperation between the two navies in the post-World War II era.

Context

• These exercises occurred just months before the outbreak of the Korean War, which would soon see several RNZN Loch-class frigates deployed to the theatre. 
• The presence of an aircraft carrier like HMAS Sydney underscored the increasing importance of naval aviation in combined operations. 

Courtesy of Reddit post – https://www.reddit.com/r/WarshipPorn/comments/qyidpe/mar_15_1950_a_collection_of_photos_from_a_joint/

Following several weeks of joint exercises, the port entry into Auckland of the combined RAN and RNZN fleets in mid-March, 1950, was a significant local event – the largest gathering of warships in Auckland since WWII.

Seen in the first image, HMAS Sydney [III] leads the cruiser HMNZS Bellona, destroyer HMAS Warramuga, heavy cruiser HMAS Australia [II], Bay class frigate HMAS Murchison and four RNZN frigates, indistinguishable at this distance.

In the second image seven of the 11 ships involved in the Mar. 1950 Fleet Entry at Auckland are seen here itself, with HMAS SYDNEY with the Modified Dido Class cruiser HMNZS BELLONA astern, with heavy cruiser HMAS AUSTRALIA [II] fourth in line amidst two RAN destroyers, WARRAMUNGA [I] AND BATAAAN, and two RNZN frigates following, with the remaining vessels out of the image.

The third image just shows the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney and heavy cruiser HMAS Australia