New Zealand Pilots or Aircrew on the Eastern Front

[Dave Homewood]

In a discussion last week a mate of mine stated that there were no New Zealand air force personnel on the Eastern Front. I corrected him, thinking about Sqn Ldr Henry Ramsbottom-Isherwood, who lead a Hurricane squadron in Russia.

This has lead me to wonder about other New Zealanders who may have flown against the Germans or perhaps the Finns in the air campaign over the Soviet Union. Were there others?

Were there any New Zealanders among the Lancaster crews of No. 617 Squadron who flew to Russia to attack the Tirpitz?

Were there other kiwis who flew to Russia in fighters, bombers or transports? And apart from Ramsbottom-Isherwood did any kiwis succeed in air to air kills against the enemy?

[spitfire14]

At the 1998 Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow, the AFC P-51D Mustang, 'Miss Torque' was painted as 'Isobel III'.

These are the personal markings of F/Lt Jack Cleland, the only known New Zealander to have flown wth the USAAF during WW2. He flew escort missions over Russia in his P-51D escorting B-17s.

Good info here:

www.cebudanderson.com/jackcleland.htm

Cheers,

Nick.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks, I didn't realise he'd flown in Russia.

He was not the only New Zealander to have flown wth the USAAF during WW2 however. Several if not many RNZAF members flew as crew aboard USAAF B-17's, B-26's and B-24's, and probably other types in the Pacific. Lots of air gunners were actually trained in USAAF types when they got to Santo for example. And even NZ Army Third Division machine gunners got the opportunity to fly as air gunners aboard B-17's, I know this because I knew one here in Cambridge who did that. I'm talking about flying operationally to targets, mainly for air experience but as a working member of the crew.

As for RNZAF members actually posted permanently to USAAF units there was Eric Griffiths of course who was posted to a USAAF P-39 squadron in Fiji. Sadly his posting didn't last long as he killed himself in a P-39 on his first flight - really sad as he was probably NZ's most experienced combat pilot at the time having shot down six aircraft in Spain (unrecognised by the RNZAF but he was an ace all the same). He is one of my all time heroes. His flying career was extraordinary.

I'm fairly sure that other RNZAF personnel must have also got posting to USAAF units. And there were dozens of RNZAF aircrew posted to US Navy squadrons, including most memebrs of No. 5 Squadron when they transferred from Singapores, went to a US Navy squadron to train on Black Catalinas, and then formed as No. 6 (FB) Squadron in 1943.

Back to the Russian and Soviet front I am curious as to whether any kiwis flew any Russian aircraft - Yaks, Migs, Polikarpovs and the likes, in WWII, if only to assess them or simply say they'd done it.

[Tony]

As far as I am aware Wing Commander Henry N. G. Ramsbottom-Isherwood was the only Kiwi to serve with the Hurricanes. He was Wing Leader of 151 Wing which included 81 & 134 Squadrons.
A quick check of the Official History, New Zealanders with the RAF adds nothing further.

Kenneth Wynn gave me a photo of him after receiving from the Russian Ambassador in London.


The best site I have found regarding operations by 151 Wing is here:
lend-lease.airforce.ru/english/articles/sheppard/hurricanes/index.htm
This includes the same photo I have so I borrowed this one rather than hunt my own out.

As far as bomber operations are concerned, at least 10 Kiwi's were involved in the Tirpitz shuttle missions, including:
9 Sqn: Flying Officer D. A. Coster & Flying Officer M. L. T. Harper
617 Sqn: Flight Lieutenant B. A. Gumbley DFM & Flying Officer A. W. Joplin.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks for that. Does anyone know who the other kiwis were in the Tirpitz raids? I diodn't realise No. 9 Squadron went to Russia too, I thought the Tirpitz moved closer and the two squadrons were able to attack from Scotland directly.

[Tony]

Ummm you could be right Dave.
My 'assumption' was that Tirpitz was attacked from the east by the squadrons after departing Russia.

Also the was the MSFU pilots flying from CAM ships.
Bob Spurdle was one but a quick check of NZFPM site shows he only sailed to the USA.

I'll have a check of his book as I am sure he mentions another Kiwi.

Then there is Lt (A) Alan Burgham of 835 NAS. He flew the famous Nikki from HMS Nairana. I am sure he sailed to Russia on escort duties as well.

Must have been a lot of other RNZNVR aircrew as well.

[errolmartyn]

Seems very unlikely that Griffiths ever achieved ace status in Spain.

See footnote to my entry here 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 Three: Biographies & Appendices)'. I don't believe he was ever actually 'posted' to the USAAF, but rather acting only as a liason officer between them and the RNZAF:

GRIFFITHS, Flight Lieutenant Eric Neville.
NZ1182 (6913480 in British Army; no No. in Spain?); b Birmingham, War., England 9 Sep 13; to NZ mid-1914; Wgtn Coll; [student?]. Employed as Air Mechanic with Sqn Ldr M C (Mac) McGregor 1931 for 7 mths, Wairarapa & Ruahine Aero Club, 'A' Licence 29 Jun 32, to China as instr & ferry pilot 1932 to 1933 for 8 mths [flew 80 hrs there], Air Mechanic with Byrd's Antarctic Expedition Nov 33-Mar 34 [sailed 12 Dec], [to China again in 1934?], to UK 1935; British Army (1Bn Rifle Bde) 8 Aug 35-11 Feb 37 [awol from Apr 36], to Spain - secretly ferried [3?] a/c [as mechanic or pilot?] from England for (and joined) Spanish Republican Air Force Aug 36, 'International Squadron' (Nieuport Ni-D.52, Dewoitine D.372), ser wdd in air combat 26 Sep 36, last in Spain c.Apr 37; rtd to NZ 14 Jun 37, to USA late 37 [Hollywood & Douglas Aircraft Co?], rtd to NZ, 'B' Licence 7 Jun 38, Union Airways as Pilot Jun-c.Sep 38; [RNZAF Civil Reserve Pilot c.Sep 38?], to Hong Kong & China e.39, rtd to NZ, RNZAF Blenheim & Comm as Pilot [& Pilots Badge?] & Wgtn GR Sqn (Baffin) 16 Oct 39, AOS (Vincent/DH86) 19 Jan 40, 1 Aircraft Depôt (various a/c types) as test pilot Oct 40, to Pacific for Det Flt Nadi [redesignated 4 Sqn 8.10.41] (various a/c types) by 7 Nov 40 [& appointed as Liaison Officer to USAAF at Nadi 21 Feb 42-death], kaa 23 Feb 42 (in 70th Pursuit Sqn USAAF Airacobra). Suva Military Cemetery - 9.133, Fiji. Son of Percy & Nancy Griffiths (née Dorant), Wgtn; h of Frances Marie Griffiths (née Robinson, later Dwyer), Wgtn. Note: with Republican Air Force claimed 7 e/a dest and by own account credited with 4. See also Chapter 8 of Brian Bridgeman's self-published The Flyers (1989) for detailed account of Griffiths' intriguing and complicated career.

Errol

[Andy Wright]

I'll check Geoffrey Raebel's The RAAF In Russia for possible mention of Kiwis flying with the Hampdens of 455 Sqn RAAF and 144 Sqn.

There's also a new site here - raafinrussia.com/

[chinapilot]

See also Chapter 8 of Brian Bridgeman's self-published The Flyers (1989) for detailed account of Griffiths' intriguing and complicated career

As an aside one of the most fascinating & quirkiest aviation books around.

[Dave Homewood]

Even if he was only credited with four, that is still a fine record for Eric Griffiths. I reckon if he'd lived long enough to get into the Kittyhawks he'd have proven a fine leader and a top ace. I have spoken with several people who served with him in WWII and they reckoned he was an amazing pilot and a top guy with a great sense of humour.

[Andy Wright]

Whole-heartedly agree, Dave. One victory could be written off as a fluke but multiples really shine a light on a considerable flying talent.

[pjw4118]

Bruce Hosie, NZ WO/AG was with F/L Knights crew on 617 Sq. On 11 September 44 they flew to Archangel, returning on 20/9 after the Tirpitz raid. Lancaster DV391 'O' was used.





Bruces end was tragic. Flying with S/L Wyness's crew on the Kembs raid (7-10-44) their aircraft PB415-5 was shot down in the Rhine. Bruce with three others escaped into their dinghy but on landing at the riverbank were captured and shot. Their remains were recovered down river in 1948. The German 'Officer' responsible was captured by the US Forces but released and disappeared before the RAF Military Police became involved.

On a lighter note F/P Arthur Joplin and fellow Kiwi and B/A - Nav Lofty Hebbard were down for the Archangel trip but so was a leave pass. Arthur recalled 'A half crown tossed by W/C Tait was in our favour' We went on leave, they went to Russia.
Arthur and Lofty did get to meet the Tirpitz on the sucessful November 12th raid flying ME561 - 'T'

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Peter. Yes of course I should have known Bruce Hosie went to Russia, I was discussing him recently with John Saunders, his nephew.

[harvard1041]

Hello - Yes - Bruce Hosie was my great-uncle - and over the years have done a bit of research on him. There is a good write up in Max Lambert's excellent book 'Night after Night'. He was an interesting guy - did some 70 odd Ops - 75 Sqn & 617 Sqn - was killed after the Kembs Barrage raid in Oct 44.

A couple of photos.

[andyfletcher]

Don Hardman (NZ411888) was one of the pilots of the 1 PRU detachment based at Vaenga in 1942 for Operation Orator, the search for major German naval units (Tirpitz in particular) in northern Norway.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Andy.

I understand that before No. 617 Squadron used the Russian base near Archangel that other RAF bombers had used it before when making long range bombing missions. I wonder if other kiwis had been there before 617 got there. Probably likely.

[hardman]

May 24, 2011 20:18:35 GMT 12 andyfletcher said:

Don Hardman (NZ411888) was one of the pilots of the 1 PRU detachment based at Vaenga in 1942 for Operation Orator, the search for major German naval units (Tirpitz in particular) in northern Norway.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

Hi Andy, I'm Don Hardman great nephew, I don't know much info or History about my great Uncle, I'm very keen to learn any History about him you could share would be great and much appreciated.


Kind regards

Dirk Hardman