Corsair Pilot George Luoni RIP

[Dave Homewood]

I'm afraid I have just learned that RNZAF Corsair pilot George Luoni passed away on Friday. I am gutted as I was hoping to set up a filmed interview with him about his adventures - particularly when he was shot down, bailed out, spent nine hours in the water, finally made it to Mana Island, spent another 39 days i think it was lost there and was finally rescued by a US Navy type called John F. Kennedy. I rang this afternoon hoping to set up an interview and was told be his son Simon of the very sad news.

Here is his NZ Herald death notice:

LUONI George Ian (Regt. No. 421071, W/O 17th and 16th Fighter Squadrons, RNZAF, WWII). On Friday, 23 October 2009, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family in Hamilton. Aged 87 years. Dearly beloved husband for 59 1/2 years and best friend of Jean. Much loved father and fatherinlaw of Chris and Rosanna, Virginia and Kim, Simon and Helen, Rosemary and Gavin and much loved Grandad of 10 grandchildren. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grey Street, Hamilton East, on Tuesday 27 October at 3.30pm, followed by private cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Waikato may be left at the service or mailed to P.O. Box 325, Hamilton. Pellows Funeral Directors and Advisors. FDANZ

• Published Saturday, October 24 2009
• First Published Saturday, October 24 2009

[flyjoe180]

Sad news, and it sounds like George had a very eventful war.

[Andy Wright]

RIP. Has an obituary been published? More people need to know about his life.

[lizluoni]

Good evening,
My name is Elizabeth Luoni and I am George's granddaughter.
I would like to connect to discuss my grandfather's story. His wife, my grandmother has since passed, as has my father, their eldest son, George Christopher. I look forward to a conversation.

[thebrads]

I'm always on the lookout for colour schemes for the RC aircraft I build so would appreciate knowing what machine/markings George flew in, was shot down in and such

[McFly]

"Group of No. 16 Squadron personnel, on the squadron's third tour. Torokina, Bougainville. (PR3977 - Circa 1944)
L-R: Back; WL Jardine, D Ellison, K Rogers, L Woodhead, R Mansell, F Smith (Intelligence Officer), JR Holland, D Mills, B Newfield, P Rowley.
Middle; E Laurie, K Starnes, M Jones, A Sievers (Commanding Officer), A Mitchell, K Mulligan, D Barr, F Tucker.
Front; L Lyons, P Freyberg, P Thomson, ER Reynolds, Snow Rowe, R Dixie, O Marshal, G Luoni."

[Dave Homewood]

I have sent you a reply to the PM Elizabeth. Thanks for getting in touch.

[errolmartyn]

Some brief preliminry notes compiled by Colin Hanson and me some years ago.

Thu 23 Sep 1943
South Pacific – 17 Squadron, RNZAF (Fighter II (Kukum), Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands)
LUONI, Warrant Officer George Ian. (Evader)
NZ421071 Born Dunedin, 23 Mar 1922. RNZAF 8 Feb 1942 to 26 May 1945. Pilot. Shot up, 22 Sep 1943, with 17 Sqn RNZAF (Kittyhawk) whilst on an escort mission for US Avengers attacking flak positions in southern Bougainville. F/Sgt Luoni was able to nurse his crippled aircraft to a position just east of the Treasury Islands, which were still in Japanese hands, before baling out over the sea. He made his way to a nearby small island and a little over a month later met up with soldiers of 3 NZ Division who were on a pre-invasion reconnaissance of the Treasury Is.
AND same date and unit
VICKERS, Warrant Officer Norman Nicholson(Died while PoW).
NZ413232. Born Napier, 3 Jun 1919. RNZAF 7 Jun 1941 to 22 Jul 1944. Pilot. Shot down by enemy aircraft, baled out, 23 Sep 1943, with 17 Sqn RNZAF (Kittyhawk) nr Kahili, south Bougainville flying escort cover for 12 U.S. Avengers attacking flak positions at Jakohing [? DD might know?]. Imprisoned Tunnel Hill Road Camp, Rabaul. Died Rabaul, 22 July 1944, from gross mistreatment and malnutrition. Re-interred Bourail Military Cemetery, New Caledonia. When captured W/O Vickers was bound with ropes to which fish hooks were attached in such a manner whenever he moved his head the fish hooks would pierce his face. On 9 Sep 1945 an American officer, who had been imprisoned with W/O Vickers at the Tunnel Hill Road Camp swore the following affidavit : "Norman Vickers, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, was with me as a prisoner of war off Tunnel Hill Road, Rabaul. He stated that he was shot down in the Bougainville-Shortland islands area, I believe. When he arrived at the prison camp in Rabaul he had been cruelly ill-treated. He had been bound by ropes in which fish hooks had been attached in such a manner that whenever he moved his head the fish hooks would pierce his face. Vicker's health deteriorated and in July 1944 he died in my presence as the result of malnutrition and dysentery. He did not name the person who ill-treated him."

Errol