Former member of 3 (GR) Squadron RNZAF remembered

[apteryx]

Hi

I've posted an article on my blog about Arthur Adams, once of No. 3 (GR) Squadron RNZAF. He's the only New Zealander commemorated in a vast cemetery and memorial in Manila.

Post here: blogs.mfat.govt.nz/andrew-matheson/new-zealand-link-remembered-in-manila/

Thanks to Dave H for background on the role of a photographer in the RNZAF.

Andrew

[errolmartyn]

From my 'For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Two: Fates 1943-1998)':

Wed 20 Jun 1945
THIRTEENTH AIR FORCE, USAAF

Photographic reconnaissance over SW Celebes
868th Bombardment Squadron, USAAF (Morotai, Moluccas - XIII Bomber Command)
B-24J Liberator 44-41358 - took off captained by 2nd Lt R L Harter Jr, USAAF, accompanied by another to photograph Boeloedoang, Limboeng and Mandai airfields. On completing their task over the first two airfields the second Liberator took the lead to photograph Mandai. Harter’s aircraft was to pull into close formation with it for the run, but for unknown reasons he instead flew a mile to the rear, later peeling off to starboard to head east. He was last seen at 0928 flying under control at 8000 feet in position 0594S:11932E. Although there was no sign of enemy fighter or flak activity near the departing aircraft, a few minutes later an enemy fighter carried out two attacks on the lead Liberator. By 0943 these had been repulsed, the crew returning safely to base. Nothing further was heard of 44-41358, extensive searches finding no trace of the Liberator or any of its 11 crew.
Photographer: 10650009 Sgt Arthur James ADAMS, Air Medal (US), Purple Heart, USAAF - Age 23.
California-born Adams lived in New Zealand for 10 years before enlisting as a photographer in the RNZAF in July 1941. In August 1943 he took his discharge and transferred to the United States Armed Forces. At the time of his last flight he was serving with the 6th Combat Camera Unit.

And Vol Three (Biographies & Appendices):

Bio
ADAMS, Sergeant Arthur James, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster (US), Purple Heart. 10650009 (NZ413729 in RNZAF); b Stockton, California, USA 26 Oct 21; to NZ c.1931; Chch BHS; photographer - George Weigel, Chch. RNZAF Harewood as Photographer 11 Jul 41, Whenuapai 8 Mar 42, discharged 6 Aug 43; 'HQ United States Army Forces and Service Command, Dilworth Building, Auckland' 7 Aug 43, USAAF as Photographer 26 Aug 43, [postings wanting due fire at US National Personnel Records Centre in 1973], 'COC. 24th R.B.6th Repl. Dep' 7 Sep 43, 18th Photo Sqn 18 Sep 43, 18th Combat Map Sqn 28 Dec 43, 868th Bombardment Sqn (Liberator) 18 Feb 44, 6th AAF Combat Camera Unit c.9 Apr 45, kao 20 Jun 45 (in 868th Sqn Liberator). Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines. Son of Arthur James & Adele Florence Adams, St Albans, Chch. Note: Adams held dual nationality, his parents being NZ-born.

I've not previously seen any reference to Adams' being posted to 3 Sqn RNZAF and would be interested to learn of any such documentation.

Errol

[apteryx]

Thanks for that information, Errol.

I obtained Adams's personnel file from the helpful people at NZDF archives. The history sheet (NZ307) is remarkably bare. His conduct sheet (form 102 A) notes that he was at Whenuapai in August 1943 when he was AWOL for 10 hr.

There is a trade test card (form 167) that records his reclassification from AC2 to AC1 in March 1942, and his unit is given as No 3 (GR) Squadron, Whenuapai. There is also an entry in his miscellaneous record sheet (form 125) from March 1942 that lists him with that squadron at Harewood, and being posted to Whenuapai.

Hope this helps.

Andrew

[Dave Homewood]

Welcome to the forum Andrew.

[errolmartyn]

Nov 9, 2010 12:07:58 GMT 12 apteryx said:

Thanks for that information, Errol.

I obtained Adams's personnel file from the helpful people at NZDF archives. The history sheet (NZ307) is remarkably bare. His conduct sheet (form 102 A) notes that he was at Whenuapai in August 1943 when he was AWOL for 10 hr.

There is a trade test card (form 167) that records his reclassification from AC2 to AC1 in March 1942, and his unit is given as No 3 (GR) Squadron, Whenuapai. There is also an entry in his miscellaneous record sheet (form 125) from March 1942 that lists him with that squadron at Harewood, and being posted to Whenuapai.
Hope this helps.
Andrew

Thanks Andrew, I'd not seen his forms 167 or 125. Another few snippets for the growing Amendment list!

Errol

[apteryx]

Errol

I'm happy to send you copies of any of these if that would be of use.

Andrew

[errolmartyn]

Andrew,

Much appreciated.

I've sent you an email.

Errol