Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 28, 2012 12:47:52 GMT 12
This is fascinating. I have seen a photo of the Flying Tiger on a Hudson with a supposed kiwi connection in this theatre of war but didn't know the details till now! Can anyone here please work out the squadron number, and any other details?
Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 107, 8 May 1944, Page 4
"FLYING TIGERS"
WITH R.A.F. IN INDIA
NEW ZEALAND SQUADRON
(R.N.Z.A.F. Correspondent) NEW DELHI, April 13.
On a windy, sun-drenched plain somewhere in India members of an almost all-New Zealand squadron, serving with the R.A.F., are reminded of their homeland by famous Maori names painted on the hulls of their Hudson bombers. Among the names are Aotearoa, "Land of the Long White Cloud," the Maori name for New Zealand, and Arawa, one of the two storm-tossed canoes which dared the long journey down the Pacific, carrying the first Maoris to the shores of their promised land.
Then there is Hinemoa, famous Maori maiden of mythology. Separated from her lover and imprisoned on an island in the middle of Lake Rotorua, she escaped one wild night and made the long swim to the mainland where, reunited, they lived happily ever after.
And perhaps greatest of all is Ngarimu, recalling Second-Lieutenant Ngarimu, whose matchless courage during the great advance; which finally drove the Germans from North Africa Won for him the first V.C. ever bestowed on a member of the Maori race—posthumously awarded, alas.
Aucklanders in Squadron T
he history of New Zealand is recorded on these score or more of aircraft. The squadron has adopted the Flying Tiger as its symbol, and it is painted on the hull of every ship besides the name. The commanding officer, Wing-Commander L. G. W. Lilly, from Dunedin, and both the flight commanders, Squadron- Leader A. O. Hawkins, Hokianga, and Squadron-Leader E. J. Henry, Dunedin, are New Zealanders.
So are others. They are: Flying-Officer E. J. Morey, Ngahuru, near Putaruru, Pilot-Officer Leo F. McCloy, Ellesmere, Canterbury; Flying- Officer R. Puttick, Alma Road, Epsom, Auckland; Warrant-Officer L. Mexted, Masterton; Flight-Sergeant L. J. Townsend, Henderson, Auckland; Sergeant Hansen, Sutherland Road, Manaia, Taranaki; Pilot-Officer Grainger, Church Street, Onehunga; and Flight-Lieutenant Aldred, Hokianga.
Also on the station, although not attached to the squadron, is Squadron-Leader Letter Wiggins, Sumner, Christchurch, who was in England when war broke out and joined the Air Force there. His wife and little son were evacuated during the blitz to Southern Rhodesia, where they still are.
Only a few of the pilots, including the commanding officer, have been with the squadron since it flew out from England to the help of hardpressed Singapore. After a few 'days on the battle-torn island they went to Palembang in Sumatra and operated from there. Whea the Dutch East Indies fell the sqnadron moved up to India. Long-Distance Transport Here they carried out patrols along India's eastern coastline and for 15 months operated over the Bay of Bengal generally. Now they are an important transport squadron carrying valuable cargo and mail throughout this vast country. The commanding officer produced a map of Europe superimposed on one of India to illustrate the extent of their flights; from their base to Calcutta was equal to the from London to Danzig and a trip to Colombo was equivalent to flying from London to Athens.
This squadron is located at a peacetime station near a large city and so enjoys amenities denied to men in the forward areas.
Games are energetically pursued during the winter months. Football, Soccer, and boxing occupy free time, which is not taken up by literary efforts for "Tiger Rag," the squadron magazine.' Pilot-Officer Grainger, of Onehunga, takes a leading part in these last three activities.
Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 107, 8 May 1944, Page 4
"FLYING TIGERS"
WITH R.A.F. IN INDIA
NEW ZEALAND SQUADRON
(R.N.Z.A.F. Correspondent) NEW DELHI, April 13.
On a windy, sun-drenched plain somewhere in India members of an almost all-New Zealand squadron, serving with the R.A.F., are reminded of their homeland by famous Maori names painted on the hulls of their Hudson bombers. Among the names are Aotearoa, "Land of the Long White Cloud," the Maori name for New Zealand, and Arawa, one of the two storm-tossed canoes which dared the long journey down the Pacific, carrying the first Maoris to the shores of their promised land.
Then there is Hinemoa, famous Maori maiden of mythology. Separated from her lover and imprisoned on an island in the middle of Lake Rotorua, she escaped one wild night and made the long swim to the mainland where, reunited, they lived happily ever after.
And perhaps greatest of all is Ngarimu, recalling Second-Lieutenant Ngarimu, whose matchless courage during the great advance; which finally drove the Germans from North Africa Won for him the first V.C. ever bestowed on a member of the Maori race—posthumously awarded, alas.
Aucklanders in Squadron T
he history of New Zealand is recorded on these score or more of aircraft. The squadron has adopted the Flying Tiger as its symbol, and it is painted on the hull of every ship besides the name. The commanding officer, Wing-Commander L. G. W. Lilly, from Dunedin, and both the flight commanders, Squadron- Leader A. O. Hawkins, Hokianga, and Squadron-Leader E. J. Henry, Dunedin, are New Zealanders.
So are others. They are: Flying-Officer E. J. Morey, Ngahuru, near Putaruru, Pilot-Officer Leo F. McCloy, Ellesmere, Canterbury; Flying- Officer R. Puttick, Alma Road, Epsom, Auckland; Warrant-Officer L. Mexted, Masterton; Flight-Sergeant L. J. Townsend, Henderson, Auckland; Sergeant Hansen, Sutherland Road, Manaia, Taranaki; Pilot-Officer Grainger, Church Street, Onehunga; and Flight-Lieutenant Aldred, Hokianga.
Also on the station, although not attached to the squadron, is Squadron-Leader Letter Wiggins, Sumner, Christchurch, who was in England when war broke out and joined the Air Force there. His wife and little son were evacuated during the blitz to Southern Rhodesia, where they still are.
Only a few of the pilots, including the commanding officer, have been with the squadron since it flew out from England to the help of hardpressed Singapore. After a few 'days on the battle-torn island they went to Palembang in Sumatra and operated from there. Whea the Dutch East Indies fell the sqnadron moved up to India. Long-Distance Transport Here they carried out patrols along India's eastern coastline and for 15 months operated over the Bay of Bengal generally. Now they are an important transport squadron carrying valuable cargo and mail throughout this vast country. The commanding officer produced a map of Europe superimposed on one of India to illustrate the extent of their flights; from their base to Calcutta was equal to the from London to Danzig and a trip to Colombo was equivalent to flying from London to Athens.
This squadron is located at a peacetime station near a large city and so enjoys amenities denied to men in the forward areas.
Games are energetically pursued during the winter months. Football, Soccer, and boxing occupy free time, which is not taken up by literary efforts for "Tiger Rag," the squadron magazine.' Pilot-Officer Grainger, of Onehunga, takes a leading part in these last three activities.
