Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 4, 2010 22:39:37 GMT 12
I have realised that in all the time I have been interviewing RNZAF veterans over the years, I cannot think of one single individual who flew operationally during the Italian campaign of October 1943-May 1945 in support of the land battles there either from Italian bases or other bases.
And I don't think I have even met anyone who flew ops against Italy's homeland soil from other countries before they capitulated except for Wing Commander Bill Kain, who is long since dead.
I looked in the Official History of new Zealanders in the Royal Air Force and there were certainly kiwis there, but not that many comapred with other fronts. Considering we had the largest Division of all the Allies armies in Italy this seems interesting that so few kiwis seemingly took part in the air operations.
Does anyone ehre know of living veterans who flew against mainland Italy pre-Oct 1943, or from Italian bases against the Germans after that point?
Also, does anyone know of NZ Navy veterans who served in that campaign? I have had the privilege of meeting and interviewing amny veterans of the ground campaign, which was nothing but rough and hard going by all accounts. A real eye opener. I am keen to see if I can find, meet and interview airmen and naval men who were also involved.
And I don't think I have even met anyone who flew ops against Italy's homeland soil from other countries before they capitulated except for Wing Commander Bill Kain, who is long since dead.
I looked in the Official History of new Zealanders in the Royal Air Force and there were certainly kiwis there, but not that many comapred with other fronts. Considering we had the largest Division of all the Allies armies in Italy this seems interesting that so few kiwis seemingly took part in the air operations.
Does anyone ehre know of living veterans who flew against mainland Italy pre-Oct 1943, or from Italian bases against the Germans after that point?
Also, does anyone know of NZ Navy veterans who served in that campaign? I have had the privilege of meeting and interviewing amny veterans of the ground campaign, which was nothing but rough and hard going by all accounts. A real eye opener. I am keen to see if I can find, meet and interview airmen and naval men who were also involved.
