NEW ZEALANDERS WITH THE ROYAL AIR FORCE

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 November 1948, Page 8

NEW ZEALANDERS WITH THE ROYAL AIR FORCE

Dominion Man Commands 75 Squadron's First Station

(By Alan W. Mitchell, N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent)

One of the R.A.F. stations in England with memories for many New Zealanders is Feltwell, in Norfolk. It was from Feltwell that 75 Squadron, the first New Zealand squadron to operate as a unit in England during the war, started operations over- Germany; from there Sergeant J. A. Ward (Wanganui) took-off to win his V.C. .

At a later period of the war when heavy bombers were posted to other stations, Feltwell was the first "home" of Number 487 Ventura Squadron. Commanding officers of Feltwell during these two periods were both New Zealanders, Group Captain M. Buckley (now Air Commodore) and Group Captain R. L. Keppenberger O-B.E. (now in New Zealand).

In giving some account of the positions now held bv New Zealanders in the R.A.F., it is interesting to find Feltwell is again commanded by an airman from the Dominion, Group Captain C. Broughton (formerly of Christchurch). He won a Sword of Honour at the R.A.F. College at Cranwell, and. during the war, he was mentioned four times in despatches. He commanded a squadron in England and was in the Middle East for three years. Before going to Feltwell, he was on the staff of the R.A.F. Staff College at. Bracknell. Today Feltwell is the home of a flying school where young pilots learn flying in Tiger Moths, are later instructed on twin-engined aircraft, and finally fly Lancaster bombers. This is known as the "all through" training system, instructors training the same pupils from Moths to bombers. One instructor at Feltwell is Flight Lieutenant I. O. Breckon D.F.C., (Auckland), formerly of 75 Squadron, who recently returned to England to take an extended service commission.

Two former commanding officers of 75 Squadron are continuing to serve with the R.A.F. Squadron Leader- R. D. Max D. 5.0., D.F.C. (Nelson), who has permanent commission, is on the personnel staff at the Headquarters of Flying Training Command, nearReading Squadron Leader R. J. A. Leslie D. 5.0., A.F.C. (New Plymouth) is at R.A.F. station at Halton, where he is commanding a flight engaged in glider training for apprentices and flying prominent people on special flights. The former commanding officer of another wartime New Zealand squadron, Squadron Leader J. E. Watts, A.F.C. (Gisborne) is now commanding Leeds University Air Squadron, which trains students to fly in their spare time. Several former flight commanders of these New Zealand Squadrons have also returned to England. Squadron Leader R. J. Dempsey, D.F.C. (Otago is commanding a squadron training recruits at Wilmslow, near Manchester. Squadron Leader R. N. Brinsden (Auckland), one of the first flight commanders of 485 Spitfire Sq.adron, has a night fighter squadron at Coltishall, in Norfolk.

Flight Lieutenant R. Broadbent D.F.C. (Auckland), a former flight commander of 75 Squadron, has been recommended to take the Empire

Flying School Course at Hullavington, where Squadron Leader R. M. Mackenzie D. 5.0., D.F.C., A.F.C. (Christchurch), is a senior tutor. In the meantime Broadbent is adjutant to a training wing at a Central Flying School at Little Rissington, Gloustershire. EXECUTIVE POSTS Among New Zealand fighter pilots who distinguished themselves during the war and now holding executive posts is Wing Command. G. R. Magill 0.8. E., D.F.C. (Te-Aroha), who served for five years with Second T.A.F. both in the Middle East and Germany. He is at present senior administration officer at R.A.F. Station, Finningley, Notts., where flying refresher courses are given. Going shortly to Finningley is Squadron Leader A. Colville (Christchurch), who, despite severe injuries suffered while flying with 75 squadron, was recently granted a permanent commission. After taking this course, it is expected that Colville will command r. fighter squadron. Wing Commander Minden Blake D. 5.0., D.F.C. (Christchurch), who shot down eleven enemy aircraft before he was taken prisoner, is in the operational requiremen s section of Transport Command Headquarters. This department deals with the ordering of new types of aircraft. At present one of its main occupations is the provision of modifications to aircraft 'on the Berlin air lift. New Zealanders serving with the R.A.F. overseas include Group Captai* S. C. Elworthy D. 5.0., D.F.C., A.F.C. (Timaru) who had an outstanding record with Bomber Command during the war. He is now on loan to the Pakistan Air Force. Wing Commander W. P. Kemp D. D.F.C. (Opotiki). a former commanding officer of 487 Mosquito Squadron has been with the R.A.F. Legation in Greece. He is returning to New Zealand on leave in the Dominion Monarch. Flight Lieutenant E. H. McHardy D. 5.0., D.F.C. (Waipawa), who distinguished himself in shipping strikes with Coastal Command during the war, is with the Headquarters of the British Forces at Aden.

Among those who were shot down and taken prisoner during the war, but have now returned to the R.A.F. after a period of civilian life, is Flight Lieut.enti.nt G. M. Baird, (Napier). After being shot down towards the end of 1940, Baird spent four and ahalf years “in the bag." He was demobilised on his return to New Zealand, but, after two years, decided that he would return to the R.A.F. He is now taking a flying course on Lancaster bombers, near Doncaster.

Flight Lieutenant T. A. Gallagher, who was granted a permanent commission in the R.A.F. after seven years -./itn the R.N.Z.A.F., is now a part-time flying instructor to the Oxford University Air Squadron. He Is also reading law at Balliol College. Gallagher began reading law before he left New Zealand, and, on arrival in London, the Personnel Branch at Air Ministry decided that a degree in law would be of value in the General Duties Branch. He was accepted as an undergraduate at Balliol and is being tutored for the Honours School in Jurisprudence. During the morning he instructs members of the squadron in flying.

NAVIG. ON OFFICER Squadron Leader P. K. Gadb (Christchurch), formerly o. 490 New Zealand Flyingboat Squadron, is now station navigation officer to four York squadrons at R.A.I' 1 . station, Abingdon, Berkshire. He also acts as deputy Wing Commander Flying. He flew recently to Nairobi and has taken part in tl.e air lift to Berlin. Commanding officer of his station is another New Zealander, Group Captain L. E. Jarman (Wellington). D. 5.0., D.F.C. Flight Lieutenant R. E. Lelong, D.F.C. (Auckland who distinguished himself as a 'nightfighter pilot, and who is credited with having shot down the first German aircraft on D-Day of the invasion of Normandy, is now flight commander at the R.A.F. Central Gunnery School. His work is to teach different methods of attack, both air to air and air to ground, to specie!) selected pilots. He also instructs on rocket shooting and divebombing. Working with him is Flying Officer K. Cotter (Te Kuiti). Flight Lieutenant J. D. Woods D.F.C. (Christchurch), is now at the Empire Air Navigation School at Shawbury. He recently piloted the Aries 11. which visited Australia and New Zealand a year ago, on a goodwill mission to the United States.

It is impossible in a brief article to give more than an impression of the work that New Zealanders in the R.A.F. are doing today; but it may be taken for granted that they are to be found in every branch of the Service, scattered on stations throughout Great Britain and abroad.