Terror Attacks on RNZAF Installations

[Dave Homewood]

We have discussed this topic before somewhere, but I found some articles online about the terrorist attacks made on the RNZAF's depot back in the 1970's. Just stunning to see they attempted to blow up an Army magazine!

The Canberra Times - Tuesday 3 March 1970

'Revolution'
claim

AUCKLAND, Monday
(AAP). — Self-styled "revolutionary activists" claimed today responsibility for an explosion which ripped apart an office in a Royal New Zealand Air Force storage depot here last night. Detectives found a handwritten note at the scene today. In January "revolutionary activists" also claimed to be responsible for an attempt to blow up an army magazine near Auckland, and for the theft of several hundred rounds of ammunition.

************

The Canberra Times - Monday 1 June 1970

LATE NEWS

RNZAF BUILDING BOMBED

AUCKLAND/ Monday

The front doors of the Royal New Zealand Air Force depot building in suburban Parnell were shattered by an explosion early, this morning. It was the second explosion to damage the building within three, months. There were no reports of injuries.

*************

The Canberra Times - Tuesday 2 June 1970

Second blast at RNZAF depot

AUCKLAND, Monday (AAP). — Explosives blasted the heavy wooden doors of a Royal New Zealand Air Force depot here early today and shattered windows, but nobody was hurt. Police said that Government forensic scientists would be called in to establish the type of explosives and timing device used in the bombing, the second at the depot and the fourth in Auckland since March.

Police said that there was no direct evidence to show that the explosions were connected, but they could not discount the possibility
that one group was responsible. The other bombings were at the Supreme Court and the Auckland rugby union headquarters.

Search for car
Police said that the bombings were "just madness". "Somebody is going to get killed and in all probability it will be some innocent bystander", a spokesman said. Police are searching for a late model car. A man who refused to be named said today that the force of the blast hit him as he walked to his front door about 100 yards from the depot. He did not see anyone.

Inside the depot plaster was torn from walls and a truck was damaged.

[madmac]

Looking at the article titles and the thread title, one does wonder if the use of "terror" should be treated much the same way as plummeted and cessna is when it comes to aircraft accidents.

[Dave Homewood]

Why not? Anyone who decides to bomb Government and private properties in order to make a political point and an attempt to spark some sort of revolution through terrorising the community is quite clearly a terrorist. These were terrorist attacks, no question of it, in my opinion.

[thelensofhistory]

Jul 28, 2015 18:42:03 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Why not? Anyone who decides to bomb Government and private properties in order to make a political point and an attempt to spark some sort of revolution through terrorising the community is quite clearly a terrorist. These were terrorist attacks, no question of it, in my opinion.

Agreed. I think given the recent shooting at a US Marine recruiting office , the topic is very relevant. It does sadden me that this is the case.

 

[camtech]

Brings back some memories - I had just returned to Whenuapai from Wigram in March 1970, and can remember the kerfuffal over the incident. We never thought of terrorists in those days - just some nutter with a grudge and some spare TNT.

[Dave Homewood]

Around the same time as this was happening was the arrival of the Skyhawks, imagine if while they were being towed through the streets these nutters had attacked them with fire bombs.

[camtech]

Jul 28, 2015 20:35:57 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Around the same time as this was happening was the arrival of the Skyhawks, imagine if while they were being towed through the streets these nutters had attacked them with fire bombs.

Correct Dave - they arrived in May. I was working at MoTaT as they went past

[Dave Homewood]

That must have been a real worry for those responsible for that aircraft move, with all the hippies and the activists like Clark and Goff who turned out, knowing that there was also someone still out there willing to take as drastic violent action as serial bombing military depots still at large. Had it been America or any other country, Clark would have probably been shot in the chest when she started throwing stones at the Skyhawks.

[camtech]

Can't recall too much of the detail, but there were a few White Caps (Air Force police) and real police around, mainly at the wharf, which is where the main protest group, including the said Ms Clark, Minto, Shadbolt and other well known rebels, were waving flags, chanting and generally being a pain.
When I arrived back at Whenuapai late in the afternoon, some of the Skyhawks were still arriving there. One of the tow vehicles had a flat tyre, which slowed things up.