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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 17, 2014 19:08:33 GMT 12
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Post by Brenton on Apr 17, 2014 19:39:06 GMT 12
OK, that's the 'jungle' photo alright. I'll make a sketch of it with names dad knows etc and put in on my facebook album. There's only half a dozen he can be sure of but now that we have some names he might remember some more. 26sqn was a lot more fun for dad. More flying and more action. Not exactly BoB stuff but interesting to the right people. Flying itself can be dangerous let alone at that time with those planes. Fantastic planes !
rnzaf.proboards.com/post/156004/thread
McFly posted that photo with the caption .... Negative Number: PR6310 Caption: Group of 26 Squadron personnel. Bougainville. Further Information: Year of Image: 1945 Image Date Information: Circa June 1945. Format: Negative-5x4-B&W
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Post by Brenton on Apr 17, 2014 22:33:19 GMT 12
Ok, so back to here again www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.298600506960662&type=1&l=30ff922578 and you will see my sketch with some names. Sheppard should have a ? as well. Continuing along the back...Peter Freyburg (no idea if he in fact was General Freyburgs nephew but that's what he told dad ) .... Paddy Bradley ( it was his plane that caught fire on landing and was written off).....Edwards ?......George Watts (nearly collided with dad twice in the same flight. A couple of close calls for dad)....Allan Emett (dad)....Ivan Walker......Frank Bish
Middle row...Sheppard ?.....Bill Delves(Sqn Co.)...Colin Tellot. Front row....Hawkins ?....Bobby Jans ( very popular with the ladies )...Pop Wilson ( led the entire Sqn from a clear sky into a very thick black cloud whilst in close formation. This was their last flight together back at Ardmore. Those on the ground said it looked amazing. A tight formation of Corsairs just disappeared into a cloud. 3 or 4 seconds later Corsairs were popping out going in all directions ! Lucky there were no collisions dad recons he missed the plane in front of him by millimeters and that's about as far as he could see. All laughed about it afterwards)....and Jock Edwards.
The story about Peter Freyburg and dad goes like this...they were flying together as a pair on patrol over Kavieng. This is as part of 19Sqn at Emirau. Freyburg was leading and dad was #2. They had reached the end of their time (up to 4 hrs in total) and decided to head home. Dad speed up and headed towards Freyburgs plane to close up for the trip back. They were by now out over the water. Just as dad closed in tight with him (practice tight formation flying) Freyburg suddenly flicked over and disappeared. Dad immediately followed suit, as he should I expect, which was just as well because a huge flak explosion erupted just were he would have been otherwise. This is why he feels he owes Freyburg his life. That may be overstating it but that's what he believes. Apparently Freyburg just happened to be looking down at the exact spot were the gun went off and saw the flash. Lucky. Not so lucky for the Jap Gun crew thou I suspect as on their return they both bombed up and paid the Japs another visit. They don't know for sure if they hit the gun but no one else ever got shot at from there I believe.
The Photo of Pete Jones at the scramble hut with NZ5432 is interesting also because Jones is the guy dad did his scramble test with. They did them in pairs. Dads log entry for Nov 16...NZ5412...Scramble test (practice)...0.45hrs....10,000ft in seven minutes. They had to run from the hut shown in the photo fully suited up, climb up into the plane and away. He's not totally sure as to whether they had the motor running or not because the ground crew had to help them into the cockpit.
Brent.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 17, 2014 23:17:58 GMT 12
Yes I believe Peter Freyberg was Sir Bernard's nephew, I have heard that before.
OK, so they are kiwis wearing those khaki hats, interesting.
I like the way in those photos of Graeme Ronayne's taken at the scramble hut they have each chalked a girl's name onto the Corsair. It's the same plane but the name has been changed for each pilot in the photo.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 17, 2014 23:23:41 GMT 12
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Post by Brenton on Apr 18, 2014 0:09:09 GMT 12
Yes they are almost certainly all 26Sqn members. I forgot to add P/O Geoffrey Goldsack's name. He's sanding at the back between Freyburg and Bradley.
BTW it's a pity that corsair photo wasn't of NZ5451 and not NZ5351.
From New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials and Aircraft History NZ5451 5699 F4U-1D 50452 Shipped from USA on 07 August 1944 aboard "USS Attu". Assembled in Espiritu Santo and BOC Unit 60 on 31 August 1944. At Espiritu Santo September 1944. Coded "51". To No.23 Squadron on 30 September 1944. To No.24 Squadron by early November 1944. To No.19 Squadron on 20 November 1944. Crashed about 40 miles from Emirau after being hit by anti-aircraft fire on 25 December 1944. Squadron Leader J. Kilian baled out and was rescued uninjured. Aircraft written off books at Emirau.
Dad remembers that although he wasn't part of that strike. His memories of Kilian are vague because he hardly ever saw him. Dad believes he spent most of his time drinking with the yanks. He was probably bored to death up there after his previous experiences in the Kittyhawks. Apparently after been shot down Kilian made it into his dingy alright and was picked up by a American Dumbo. One of the crew members took a look at him all soaking wet and made the mistake of handing him a full bottle of Rum (the real powerful stuff, navy rum)..."here bud you look like you could do with some of this" he said. Of coarse Kilian didn't bother to give the bottle back....after their return to Emirau they had to carry him off the plane LOL.
Brent.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 18, 2014 0:39:30 GMT 12
Actually it is just as likely, maybe more likely, to be NZ5251 or NZ5451, as both aircraft were flown by No. 19 Squadron according to the ADFserials page. I just look a stab at it with NZ5351, but I reckon the other two are more likely. It may even be NZ5551 I guess.
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Post by camtech on Apr 18, 2014 9:04:30 GMT 12
Can't be NZ5551, Dave, as this was only NZ Based.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 18, 2014 9:16:41 GMT 12
OK. Good point.
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Post by camtech on Apr 18, 2014 9:24:32 GMT 12
Also, both 5251 and 5351 survived to be sold as scrap
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 18, 2014 11:07:14 GMT 12
It would be helpful to know which Corsairs (and other aircraft) were owned by which Servicing Units as well as the lists on adf.serials of which squadrons used them. That irate Donald Duck emblem must have been an S.U. marking, but which S.U.?
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Post by davidd on Apr 19, 2014 14:15:21 GMT 12
Dave H, The light coloured F/S hats are actually light blue! They are made from standard NZ shirting material, the same as used to make RNZAF OR shirts! These were introduced into service in about August 1944, and similar hats were used by RNZAF personnel when on service in Fiji and Singapore, etc, latter right up till about 1979, using later and lighter types of light blue cotton material, including Air Rank versions. So, no Americans here (at least I would highly doubt it, but you never can tell for certain unless they are all positively identified as New Zealanders). They would all be wearing a certain amount of American clothing by this stage of the war, and would also have much American flying clothing (such as the US Navy light KD flying overalls) and other gear, as well as some RNZAF and RAF stuff. There was also supposed to be a lightwight New Zealand-made two-piece flying overall being introduced in about mid-1945 and enough for one squadron were supposedly ordered to be issued, but I am not certain that this ever happened. This new item was ordered because of the increasing difficulty of obtaining suficient quantities of the American overalls. David D
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Post by davidd on Apr 19, 2014 14:51:47 GMT 12
Herewith, a complete list of No. 26 Squadron on its first operational tour, including source. Original pilots' course also included for most. All posted to newly formed squadron as from 1st March 1945 unless stated otherwise.
NOMINAL ROLL FOR FIRST TOUR: HQ PERSONNEL: S/L Gordon Andrew DELVES, CO 26 Sqdn, ex CCU Ardmore (two tours with 16 Sqdn). F/L Leslie Ernest BRADLEY, OC ? Flight, ex CCU Ardmore (three tours with 17 Sqdn, F/I at 4 OTU). A/F/L Peter Chalmers McKINLAY, OC ? Flight, ex ACP HB and 18 Sqdn (1 tour; also 1 tour with 15 Sqdn). Appointed to rank of A/F/L w.e.f. 1/3/45). F/O John Raymond KING, Intelligence Officer (NZ1730). Posted in ex Air Department (supernumerary) on 5/3/45. LAC McLEAN, Donald Armstrong (NZ425426), Squadron clerk.
REMAINING PILOTS: F/O Clarence James BERRYMAN, ex 24 Sqdn; Course 45B (one tour with 19 Sqdn, two with 24 Sqdn) F/O Alfred Percy FOGERTY, ex 19 Sqdn; Course 26B (one tour with 19 Sqdn). Missing 3/3/45 in F4U-1 aircraft over Hauraki Gulf. Replaced. F/O Geoffrey Martin GOLDSACK, ex 19 Sqdn; Course 47B (one tour with 19 Sqdn). F/O Osborne James HAWKINS, ex 19 Sqdn, & RAF; Canadian trained (one tour with 19 Sqdn). F/O Lawrence Henry JUNO, ex Flying Instructor; Course 45B (no operational experience). F/O John Frederick MORGAN, ex 23 Sqdn and ACP; Course 26B (one tour with 22 Sqdn). F/O Charles Morgan O'NEILL, ex Ohakea, Sick & Wounded; Course 35B (one tour with 25 SBD Sqdn). F/O Jack Frederick WELLER, ex elementary Flying Instructor; Course 43B (no operational experience). F/O Lester John WILSON, ex 24 Sqdn; Course 47B (one tour with 24 Sqdn). P/O Peter Frederick Hodgson ROWLEY, ex 15 Sqdn; Course 43B (one tour with 16 Sqdn, one with 15 Sqdn). P/O Ivan Warwick Berkley TYERMAN, ex 15 Sqdn; Course 44B (two tours with 15 Sqdn). W/O Alexander Lewis BUCHAN, ex 18 Sqdn; Course 36B (returned from UK, also one tour with 18 Sqdn). W/O John EDWARDS, DFM, ex staff pilot, GTS Ohakea; Course 29B (three tours with 17 Sqdn). F/Sgt BALLARD, John, ex 4 OTU; Course 50B (no operational experience). F/Sgt BELL, John Price, ex 4 OTU; Canadian trained (no operational experience). F/Sgt BISH, Frank Jack Lyall, ex 23 Sqdn; Course 41B (one tour with 20 Sqdn, one with 23 Sqdn). F/Sgt EDWARDS, Robert Thomas, ex 18 Sqdn; Canadian trained (one tour with 20 Sqdn, one with 18 Sqdn). F/Sgt EMETT, Allan, ex 19 Sqdn; Course 48B (one tour with 19 Sqdn). F/Sgt GODFREY, Peter Leonard, ex 4 OTU; Course 50B (no operational experience). F/Sgt HOLLAND, John Richard, ex 22 Sqdn; Course 43B (one tour with 16 Sqdn, one with 22 Sqdn). F/Sgt JANS, Robert Francis, ex 18 Sqdn; Course 47B (one tour with 18 Sqdn). F/Sgt REID, Frank David, ex 23 Sqdn; Course 47B (one tour with 23 Sqdn). F/Sgt TALLOTT, Colin Henry, ex 4 OTU; Canadian trained (no operational experience). F/Sgt WALKER, Ivan Charles Stainton, ex 24 Sqdn; Course 48B (two tours with 24 Sqdn). F/Sgt WESTLAKE, Roger Nicholas, ex 15 Sqdn; Canadian trained (one tour with 15 Sqdn). F/Sgt WRIGHT, John William, ex 4 OTU; Canadian-trained (no operational experience). Seriously injured at Ardmore 6/3/45, did not go on tour. Sgt BARY, Gordon Russell, ex 2 OTU, posted to 16 Sqdn on 12/3/45 as replacement.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 19, 2014 16:56:05 GMT 12
Thanks David, interesting. I have seen those light weight, light blue tropical hats in postwar photos in Singapore, but I never knew that they date back as far as 1944. Cheers for clearing that up. Most of the time with fighter pilots you see them either in flying helmets, SD hats or bare headed in photos, and the bomber and other heavy aircraft guys usually wore the same or the khaki drill baseball caps (were they US issue or a NZ version?). So it's a rare thing to see these lightweight tropical FS hats in a WWII photo I think.
Thanks for that list of names too. Hopefully that will help Allan with his identifications.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 19, 2014 17:58:34 GMT 12
This just in from Richard Hawkins:
"Dave, One more re. 26 squadron 'jungle group" and yr sketch on 1 of yr threads. I would say its my Pa, Ossie 3rd in from rt, front row, in cap. Almost bang in the middle, standing a little behind front row in cap, I would say is my Uncle, Clarry (C J Berryman. They both flew on 26. Richard"
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Post by Brenton on Apr 20, 2014 0:53:58 GMT 12
"F/Sgt WRIGHT, John William, ex 4 OTU; Canadian-trained (no operational experience). Seriously injured at Ardmore 6/3/45, did not go on tour." John Wright nosed over on landing in his Corsair. He put hands up to protect his face as the plane went up and over, something they were taught not to do, but you probably would just the same. The jolt on impact must have moved this hands onto the dash and they were crushed between the dash and the gun sight. The ground crew rushed to the scene and quickly released his harness only to discover John was now hanging by his hands. In a lot of pain no doubt and now they needed to lift the plane to get him free. He lost one hand and dads not sure but thinks it was his right hand. He also thinks John went on to own a bicycle shop in Tauranga. In that 'Jungle group' photo would it not seem likely that F/O John Raymond KING, Intelligence Officer (NZ1730) is the guy in shorts? Dad doesn't know one way or the other it's just a guess.
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Post by davidd on Apr 20, 2014 12:20:47 GMT 12
Re the light blue F/S caps, herewith the RNZAF Order which introduced this new item into service. I have also added the (earlier) Order for the introduction of the metal aircrew basges (seemingly based on RAAF Practice - the RAF never used such badges). David D
AIRMEN’S DRESS, SCALES OF ISSUE. ADO A.460/44 of 8/9/44, Pg. 1. (File references 28/1/15 & 28/1/36 DDE.1) 1) As the present Warrant Officers’ and Airmen’s’ Caps, Field Service, manufactured from Barathea and Blue-Grey serge material respectively, are proving most unsuitable for wear by personnel in the Pacific Areas, light-weight Caps, Field Service, manufactured from Airmen’s’ shirting material are introduced and the scale of issue is increased to two. 2) As a result of this, Airmen’s dress – Scales 9, 9 Air & 9 Surface, are amended as follows:-
DELETE SECTION 22F. Ref. 356 CAPS, F/S W.O. Qty one. 357 CAPS, F/S O.A Qty one.
SUBSTITUTE SECTION 22F. Ref. N34 CAPS, F/S O.A. (Tropical) Qty 2. N35 CAPS, F/S W.O. (Tropical) Qty 2. 3) Officers posted to Units in the Pacific are to be in possession of Sec 22F, Ref N35, Caps, F/S, W.O. (Tropical), Qty 2. These caps are available on “pre-payment” at 5/-. each at No. 1 Port Depot, Auckland.
METAL BADGES: AIRCREW: TROPICAL DRESS. ADO A.261/44 of 28/6/44, Pg. 1. (File reference 28/12/50 P.1B) 1) Metal aircrew badges to be worn by entitled personnel within New Zealand and the Pacific are introduced. Badges are now available for pilots, navigators, air gunners and flight engineers. 2) The badges are to be worn by entitled personnel, only when wearing khaki shirts without jackets. They are not to be worn on jackets in replacement of or in addition to existing cloth aircrew badges. 3) The wearing of the metal aircrew badges is compulsory. They are to be worn pinned to the shirt on the left hand breast, in the position where corresponding cloth badges would normally be worn. 4) Ribbons of medals, decorations, and the “Despatches” or Commendation emblem, may be worn by entitled personnel in the usual position, attached to shirts beneath the aircrew badge, or, if the individual is not entitled to wear an aircrew badge, alone. 5) A free issue of one badge of the appropriate type is to be made to each entitled individual. The issue is to be recorded on his clothing card. (See also ADO N.148/44 for Stores Reference numbers)
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Post by davidd on Apr 20, 2014 12:27:37 GMT 12
Dave H, Whilst copying the above Orders, came across another which I thought might prove of interest to Forumites, to show the insidious infiltration of the wartime RNZAF by American influences among our air transport crews. David D
DRESS REGULATIONS: STANDARD DRESS: TRANSPORT SQUADRONS. ADO N.199/45 of 22/3/45, page 1. (File reference 28/1/24 DPPS) 1) The following dress is to be worn by Aircrew members of transport squadrons when flying to the forward area and when on the ground there:- (i) Long Trousers K.D; (ii) Shirt K.D; (iii) Service type boots or shoes; (iv) Caps F.S. or S.D. – Officers & Warrant Officers; Caps F.S. - NCOs and Airmen. 2) American type windbreaker jackets and American type boots may be worn. No alternative flying clothing is permitted. 3) Appropriate Aircrew badges and badges of rank are to be worn on shirts K.D. 4) Officers are to wear badges of rank on Windbreaker jackets. (See also ADO N.251/45 for new paragraph 5).
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 20, 2014 12:46:53 GMT 12
That last order must have annoyed a lot of kiwis, especially when they would have seen the kiwi groundcrews in the forward areas in nothing but shorts and boots.
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Post by davidd on Apr 20, 2014 13:43:08 GMT 12
Don't worry about the NZ groundcrew in the forward area Dave, they LOVED their shorts and boots - and a good tan didn't go amiss! Remember it was THEIR choice, wearing anything else was probably unbearably UNcomfortable!
Incidentally other headwear used at the Pacific bases included two types of American 'fatigue' wear, both made of HBT material (Herring Bone Twill) in olive drab - a rather shapeless, round brimmed hat, and a rather corny peaked cap, which were very widely used, even by senior officers - there is a photo of S/L H C ('Johnny') Walker, OC 1 Squadron at Munda in about November 1943 with Air Commodore Sidney Wallingford (and A/Cdre M W Buckley), with Wallingford wearing one of the round-brimmed hats - see 'A Long Patrol', page 79. The RNZAF also introduced its own soft peaked caps (believe made of Indian KD material) in early 1945, for issue to air gunners, but I am not certain how widespread these caps became. The RNZAF certainly never used base-ball caps as such, but perhaps the air gunner caps are the ones being referred to - I think they were more of an upright cap. Of course there were also the dreaded tropical 'helmets' - mainly US Navy types made of a sort of papier mache (of USA or Canadian manufacture), although genuine Indian Solah Topees ('Pith' helmets) were used in Fiji and Singapore, etc, as well as a few in more forward areas. None of these 'helmets' were popular, and rumour has it that the ships returning from tropical theatres left in their wakes hundreds of these items bobbing in their wakes. However a few individuals grew to love them, and even wore them in aircraft at times (one I can think of was F/O James Brown, an Observer/navigator on Hudsons with 3 Sqdn at Guadalcanal - he admits he was in a very small minority!) The Solah Topee was notable for its thick, rolled rim and (usually) a flat top with a genuine zinc 'ventilator', and a real pugaree. The American versions were a visual representation only, everything moulded in one unit.
Examples of both the Indian pattern Solah Topee and the USA type of tropical helmet can be seen in a photo on page 81 (lower) of 'Long Patrol" - the Indian type is worn by the individual in left foreground as well as the individual at rear just to right of Sir Cyril Newall, while an American helmet is worn by the fellow on extreme left in background. The American soft HBT round brimmed hat is worn in right foreground. David D
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