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Post by ringatu4 on Nov 14, 2014 13:02:04 GMT 12
Hi Dave, you may Morrie Skeet flew with 200 Sqn B24's in Gambia and later B25's in the CBI. Here are a coupla pics from the book.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 14, 2014 13:05:00 GMT 12
Thanks Rex, is Morrie still around now?
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Post by ringatu4 on Nov 25, 2014 17:49:20 GMT 12
No, he passed on soon after our MayDay2 Reunion in 2011. He came to the first one in 2010 where I interviewed him. BTW the TKC book is still growing and if you've not yet read the link I sent, then I'll send you one to the latest version. Just let me know. Rex
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 25, 2014 17:56:40 GMT 12
I have definitely not had a chance to read the one you sent Rex, I'm afraid. I have been pretty busy here lately. A pity Morrie's not still with us.
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Post by ringatu4 on Nov 25, 2014 18:05:57 GMT 12
OK, I'll send you a link to the latest PDF file on Amazon Cloud. Rex
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 14, 2018 0:24:15 GMT 12
It seems that from all the names supplied here, Hugh Findlater is now the only one still alive. I had the pleasure to meet and interview him recently, the recording of which is here: www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2018/01/hugh-findlater/Does anyone else out there know of other surviving Kiwi B-25 veterans by any chance?
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Post by chinapilot on Feb 14, 2018 1:19:19 GMT 12
Good to know you caught up with Hugh.
Jack Curtiss passed away in 2016.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 14, 2018 8:29:18 GMT 12
2015 I believe. I was hoping to go see him and also Dick Brunton but both died just as I was looking into the trip planning.
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Post by avenger on Apr 16, 2018 16:58:17 GMT 12
Good to know you caught up with Hugh. Jack Curtiss passed away in 2016. Jack, latterly known as John Curtis passed away 30th August 2015.
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dmsims
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Post by dmsims on Sept 26, 2019 8:47:45 GMT 12
Pom here
George Alexander Hughes Field (N.Z. 416634) was a pilot with 226 squadron, sadly passed away in 1992
Interestingly his DFC bar was awarded together with a DFC for my late father Wg Cdr G N Sims on the same mission (Venlo bridge)
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Post by errolmartyn on Sept 26, 2019 9:45:33 GMT 12
Pom here George Alexander Hughes Field (N.Z. 416634) was a pilot with 226 squadron, sadly passed away in 1992 Interestingly his DFC bar was awarded together with a DFC for my late father Wg Cdr G N Sims on the same mission (Venlo bridge) From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999 : FIELD, Flight Lieutenant George Alexander Hughes, DFC*. NZ416634 & 132088; Born Wellington, 26 Nov 1908; RNZAF 30 Nov 1941 to 18 Jul 1945, Res. to 24 Aug 1958; Navigator/Bomb Aimer. Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (Imm) (4 Nov 1944): [226 Sqn RAF (Mitchell)] Flight Lieutenant Field has displayed outstanding devotion to duty and great determination in air operations. He is a navigator of high merit and his excellent work has contributed materially to the success of the sorties in which he has participated. He has completed a large number of sorties, including attacks on airfields, communications, troop concentrations and other targets.Citation Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross (15 Dec 1944): [226 Sqn RAF (Mitchell)] also DFC - Plt Off George Noel Sims, 185433, RAFVR. These officers were navigator and pilot respectively of the leading aircraft of a formation detailed to attack a road/rail bridge in the Venlo area. The target was vital to the enemy and was very heavily defended. In the run-in, intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered. The aircraft was hit. A piece of shrapnel tore through Flight Lieutenant Field’s compartment, narrowly missing him. In spite of this he coolly directed the run-in. Displaying the greatest determination, Pilot Officer Sims maintained a steady course to make an excellent bombing run. The target was attacked with great precision and several hits were obtained. The success achieved reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of these officers who set a fine example of skill, courage and devotion to duty. Between Sep 1943 and Nov 1944 Flt Lt Field completed two tours of 83½ sorties, without a rest break. His flying log book is unusually detailed, listing not only target details but also recording the route from his base to and from his targets. Died Waikanae, 18 Aug 1992. Errol
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Post by pjw4118 on Sept 26, 2019 15:43:04 GMT 12
Hugh Findlater later joined 83 Group comms squadron and flew brig Chillon and AVM harry Broadhurst around the battlefields in an Auster . He was then posted to 242 squadron on Yorks. Later of course he joined NAC . One other Mitchell pilot was a namesake , Brian Wheeler who flew with 226 sq from 1941 on Blenheims then Bostons and Mitchells with a short time with 487 on Venturas. He was killed on 15 Feb 44 having just taken over as OC 88 squadron back on Bostons .
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Post by flyinkiwi on Sept 26, 2019 16:02:40 GMT 12
Back in 2013 I asked about a colleagues grandfather FO Harry M Hawthorn who was an AG on Mitchells (I'd erroneously said Boston's). Thanks to Errol: NZ415259 Harold Malcolm HAWTHORN Enlisted RNZAF Nelson as aircrafthand 19 Sep 41 Embarked Matsonia for Canada for WOp/AG training 2 Oct 42 Later commissioned Also found a photo of him (on the right) with the rest of his crew and their aircraft (which was lost a few weeks later with a different crew) taken at RAF Dunsfold in 1944:
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 26, 2019 16:40:37 GMT 12
That is a great nose art. What is the name? Is it 'Lady Deliverance"?
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dmsims
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Post by dmsims on Sept 27, 2019 11:23:22 GMT 12
Errol
thank you for the further information
Any suggestions about how I might trace Ft Lt. Field's surviving family ?
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