From “On Deck” May 1945
News has now been received that the Union Company’s well-known liner Monowai was in the forefront of the landing of Allied troops in Normandy on D-Day on June 5 last year. Her participation in the operation was a success, there being no casaulties among the ship’s company, and her boats are reported to have been first ashore on her sector. Following the landing Monowai has carried over 100,000 passengers to the continent.
The Aorangi also played a part in the D-Day operations, acting as the mothership for 150 tugs. Both vessels are still on war service and the captains and most of the principal officers and engineers are New Zealanders.Â