RNZAF Corsairs involved in Operation Porton?

[Dave Homewood]

That is not 228 Luther, it is "22 & 26" meaning both No. 22 Squadron and No. 26 Squadron.

[Luther Moore]

Ahhh ok,got it now, looked like 228 when I read it.

[brenton]

Thanks Luther, dad finds it surprising that a corsair was used to mark a target. Is that correct ? Is this log book posted elsewhere as cannot see dates, locations or aircrafts # etc ?
Dads log mentions Hari Rd, Maliko Rd,Omai River etc were these places all in the same vacinity ?

[Luther Moore]

Peter was killed a couple of days later.

[Luther Moore]

I can't find any mention of the names your Dad mentioned but it could be because they were in different Squadrons and doing different missions?

[brenton]

Sorry to read of Peters death.
As a kid I asked dad the classic "what did you do in the war dad?" and typically for his generation he gave me the impression he'd done very little and hadn't been involved in anything heroic. I used to make small Airfix planes which he gladly helped me with. I always picked which planes to do and so 'naturally' choose the Spitfire,Hurricane,Kittyhawk(RAF desert cam with sharks mouth).Then the Me109,FW190 and even a Zero. He never once suggested I do a Corsair.
Thanks to websites like this and the people posting on it I'm beginning to learn a lot more about his and indeed the entire RNZAF's involvement in the Pacific. I might add I think dads pleased about that and enjoys learning about these things himself.

[Luther Moore]

I have heard from a few vets that they didn't think anyone cared and they were socked to hear that people want to learn about what they did.

Your old man might like this F4U training video, but be warned it's 20 minutes but it's awesome to see.Probably better off watching the larger video rather than clicking play on this page.

If your Dad would like to see and read any logbook pages please let me know.

[corsair5517]

Just harking back to Porton, 15 Sqn must have been involved as well, as Dads' log has entries for Porton Plantation on 10.6.45 (2'35") and again on 20.6.45 (1'20"), both times times armed with 325lb depth charges...

I also have a copy of a training film for the F4U on DVD; American and has some great footage...

[corsair5517]

Aug 20, 2012 19:46:57 GMT 12 brenton said:

As a kid I asked dad the classic "what did you do in the war dad?" and typically for his generation he gave me the impression he'd done very little and hadn't been involved in anything heroic. I used to make small Airfix planes which he gladly helped me with. I always picked which planes to do and so 'naturally' choose the Spitfire,Hurricane,Kittyhawk(RAF desert cam with sharks mouth).Then the Me109,FW190 and even a Zero. He never once suggested I do a Corsair..

This. Though fortunately, mine became a little more free with information as I grew older!! I do remember a time in NZ when I was at school and WWII Army jackets from Harold Banks in Dunedin were the "go" and I wanted one; Dad was never one to be profligate with funds and rummaged around in an old trunk and produced his AF battledress tunic, complete with wings, rank tapes and shoulder flashes. I thought "Great!!" until he cut the wings and tapes off to my horror... I hadn't earned them and wasn't entitled to wear 'em, and even at that tender age, I thought that was fair enough!

I visited him at home one day and found him going through the afore-mentioned trunk, chucking out his uniforms and other stuff; I was mortified and informed the silly old beggar that he must desist forthwith!! He didn't think anyone would be interested....

[davidd]

Corsair5517,
See my reply #13 on this thread (page 1), which shows participation of 15 Sqn on 9 and 10/6/45. THe 20/6/45 mission was unrelated to the famous action, although more or less same area.
David D