On the night of 29 January 1943, when HMNZS mine-sweepers 'Kiwi' and 'Moa' identified and attacked the Japanese submarine I-1, off the north west coast of Guadacanal. 'Kiwi' rammed it three times, and it ran aground and was destroyed - Letter of Commendation (United States).

David Graham is quoted in the Auckland War Memorial Museum exhibition 'Our small ships' of the 'Scars on the Hear't exhibition, giving his description of the actions of Lieutenant-Commander Gordon Bridson, RNZNVR, commanding HMNZS 'Kiwi' in the preparation to ram the Japanese submarine I-1, '....he shouted down the voice pipe, "Stand by to ram." When the voice came back from the engine room, "What the hell do you do when you ram?", he replied, "I don't know, I've never done it before".'

Associated items on display at the exhibit listed above are, a model of the Corvette mine-sweeper HMNZS 'Kiwi', the crests of the 'Kiwi' and 'Moa', a cap ribbon, HMNZS 'Kiwi', the sextant from the Japanese submarine I-1, and photographs of the 'Kiwi' at sea, the ship's company of HMNZS 'Kiwi' marching up Queen Street, Auckland, the remains of the Japanese submarine I-1 sunk off Guadalcanal, and the HMNZS 'Kiwi' at Devonport Dockyards for repairs. In addition, a Oerlikon cannon is on display, like the ones used on the 'Kiwi' and 'Moa', reputedly received from the United States Navy in exchange for two bottles of gin. AWMM