Information please: NZ41465 Bealey (?) H.H.

[komata]

.
NZ 41465

S/L H.H. Bealey (?; This is uncertain as it is difficult to decifer the name).

37 Squadron R.A.F

B.N.A.F

11.11.43

As I cannot access service records, can anyone amongst the membership shed light on exactly who S/L HH Bealey was, and what the significance of B.N.A.F might be?

Thank you in advance to anyone who can provide information. 

[errolmartyn]

Nov 15, 2016 11:42:03 GMT 12 komata said:

.
NZ 41465

S/L H.H. Bealey (?; This is uncertain as it is difficult to decifer the name).

37 Squadron R.A.F

B.N.A.F

11.11.43

As I cannot access service records, can anyone amongst the membership shed light on exactly who S/L HH Bealey was, and what the significance of B.N.A.F might be?

Thank you in advance to anyone who can provide information. 

From my For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Two: Fates 1943-1998):


Mon 3/Tue 4 Apr 1944
MEDITERRANEAN ALLIED AIR FORCES
Raid on the Manfred Weiss works at Budapest, Hungary (by 87 aircraft - 5 lost)
37 Squadron, RAF (Tortorella [Foggia No 2], Italy - 231 Wing, 205 Group, Mediterranean Allied Strategic Air Force)
Wellington X LN853 - took off at 2043 and shot down by a night-fighter over Hungary, crashing on the farm of Bukajlo Tanja of Rac Almas, about 3km north of Duna Pentele (at position 4700N:1856E), at 2330. Three of the crew died in the crash, their bodies being buried at Duna Pentele, but later reinterred in Budapest. Their three comrades baled out and were taken prisoner, the RAF second pilot and the wireless operator being unhurt. However, the captain, retrieved from the River Danube in which he had landed, was found to be critically injured with a broken back. He was transported south some 250km to the German Military Hospital in Semlin (aka Zemun), 6km WNW of Belgrade, where he died on the 8th. Although a Catholic priest later stated he had buried the airman in the civilian cemetery at Semlin, after hostilities it proved impossible to find the unmarked grave. The captain’s name is therefore commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
Captain: NZ41465 Sqn Ldr Heathcote Huia Butler BEALE, DFC*, RNZAF - Age 27. 920hrs. 65th op.
Beale was well into his second tour, his first, also in the Mediterranean theatre, being flown with 104 Sqn, RAF.

And from Vol Three (Biographies & Appendices)

BEALE, Squadron Leader Heathcote Huia Butler, DFC*.
NZ41465; b Waipiro Bay 10 Sep 16; Christ's Coll, Chch (1st XV & Swimming IV); shepherd - A B Williams, Te Puia Springs. NZ Army/TF (WECMR) 1yr; RNZAF Levin/ITW as Airman Pilot u/t 18 Jan 41, 4EFTS 2 Mar 41, 3FTS 12 Apr 41, Pilots Badge [wef 24.5.41] & Comm 5 Jul 41, att RAF & emb for UK 22 Jul 41, 3PRC 2 Sep 41, 20OTU (Wellington) 22 Sep 41 [att Lakenheath 24 Nov, then 44 Sqn (Hampden?) 23-28 Dec], 15OTU/FT&DF [redesignated 15OTU/1443FTF 21.1.42] (Wellington) 19 Jan 42, [1OADU (Wellington)?], flew a Wellington to Egypt via Gibraltar & Malta 30 Jan-5 Feb 42, ME Pool, 205 Gp, 104 Sqn (Wellington - 41 ops) 1 Mar 42, 2METS (Wellington) as instr 30 Sep 42, 236 Wing (Wellington) 30 Jan 43, 37 Sqn (Wellington - 26 ops inc 1ASR) 1 Apr 43, shot down/wdd & baled out/PoW 3/4 Apr 44, died of wounds 8 Apr 44. Malta Memorial - Panel 16, Column 1. Son of Arthur Merritt & Ema Reremoana Beale (née Brown, later Williams), Puketiti, Te Puia Springs, Auckland. [OHT3, BSD & phot. TWN 18.7.45].

Errol

[komata]

Errol

Thank you; I thought that you would be able to help with the necessary information. On the basis of what you've written, it would be interesting to know where this book has been - if only it could talk!!

Any idea what BNAF might be?

Again, thank you.

[davidd]

BNAF not a corruption of RNZAF perhaps?
David D

[angelsonefive]

No.37 Sqdn RAF was in North Africa until December, 1943, when it moved to Foggia, Italy.

It became a squadron of the Balkan Air Force, so I think the BNAF reference should be BAF.

There is a problem, though, in that the BAF was not officially established until 7 June 1944. There is the possibility that the title Balkan Air Force was being used unofficially at an earlier date than that.

a15.

[errolmartyn]

Nov 15, 2016 14:49:47 GMT 12 komata said:

Errol

Thank you; I thought that you would be able to help with the necessary information. On the basis of what you've written, it would be interesting to know where this book has been - if only it could talk!!

Any idea what BNAF might be?

Again, thank you.

I think BNAF is an error or some sort of typo - BAF would mean Balkan Air Force (but that was formed after Beale's death), NAAF or NWAF would mean Northwest African Air Forces.

Errol

[komata]

Errol

Thank you. I've just rechecked the flyleaf of the book and it is definitely BNAF and in S/L Bealey's handwriting, with the 11,.11. 43 date as I've listed above.

Perhaps the 'Official records' could be wrong? (it has been known to happen ).

However, there is another possibility (although ONLY a possibility as Idon't know if they were even formally grouped under the title):'British North African Forces'.

It would seem to fit and, to a degree, does make sense.

A possibility for consideration?

[errolmartyn]

Nov 16, 2016 9:26:37 GMT 12 komata said:

Errol

Thank you. I've just rechecked the flyleaf of the book and it is definitely BNAF and in S/L Bealey's handwriting, with the 11,.11. 43 date as I've listed above.

Perhaps the 'Official records' could be wrong? (it has been known to happen ).

However, there is another possibility (although ONLY a possibility as Idon't know if they were even formally grouped under the title):'British North African Forces'.

It would seem to fit and, to a degree, does make sense.

A possibility for consideration?

Could well be according to this file in British National Archives:

Reference: AIR 29/17
Description: 70 Embarkation Unit, RAF British North African Forces, Ajaccio, Corsica; includes detachments at Porto Vecchio and Bastia; includes detachment at Ile de Rousse and Calvi, 4 August 1944 to September 1944; moved to Bastia on 30 December 1944 [note: records are muddled with 68 and 69 EU due to binding error].
Note: with appendices
Date: 1944 Jan.-1945 Feb.
Held by: The National Archives, Kew

Errol

[jimtheeagle]

I have been researching my Mother's cousin, Sgt Bryan Grofski and the missions he flew with 104 Squadron in the Western Desert. The book 'Wellington Wings' mentions him as being 'Harry' Beale's 2nd pilot. Like Beale, Bryan was posted to the METS training school in Palestine and was killed on 9 November 1942 in a crash that was attributed to sabotage, I believe by anti-British Jewish separatists.

The other pilot in the crash (injured) was Sgt C.A. McDonald, RNZAF, but I don't know any more about him.

I have been reading the 104 Squadron O.R.Bs this week, and although I can't find any mention of Bryan in them, I am assuming he flew 2nd pilot many of the missions where Beale is recorded as captain. I also don't know what date he joined the unit.

What I would love to find is the accident report if it still exists (Wellington II W5530) and any photos of aircraft and personnel of the squadron.

Komata, what book is it that you have with the inscription?

Jim

[errolmartyn]

Nov 23, 2016 0:32:16 GMT 12 jimtheeagle said:

I have been researching my Mother's cousin, Sgt Bryan Grofski and the missions he flew with 104 Squadron in the Western Desert. The book 'Wellington Wings' mentions him as being 'Harry' Beale's 2nd pilot. Like Beale, Bryan was posted to the METS training school in Palestine and was killed on 9 November 1942 in a crash that was attributed to sabotage, I believe by anti-British Jewish separatists.

The other pilot in the crash (injured) was Sgt C.A. McDonald, RNZAF, but I don't know any more about him.

I have been reading the 104 Squadron O.R.Bs this week, and although I can't find any mention of Bryan in them, I am assuming he flew 2nd pilot many of the missions where Beale is recorded as captain. I also don't know what date he joined the unit.

What I would love to find is the accident report if it still exists (Wellington II W5530) and any photos of aircraft and personnel of the squadron.

Komata, what book is it that you have with the inscription?

Jim

From Vol One of my For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Fates: 1915-1942)

Wed 7 Oct 1942
Middle East
Circuits and landing practice
2 Middle East Training School, RAF (Aqir, Palestine - 205 Group)
Wellington II W5530/E - took off at about 2258 piloted by Flt Sgt C A McDonald, RNZAF, for practice at Yibna airfield 3 miles away. During a circuit at 600 feet five to ten minutes later the starboard engine failed. Height could not be maintained and with hilly terrain blocking a direct approach to Yibna W5530 headed back to Aqir, only to crash onto a hillside a half mile short of the base and catch fire. The two crew were both severely injured, McDonald survived but had to have his right foot amputated the following day. The 2nd pilot died almost immediately after the crash and was buried at Ramleh on the 9th. Investigation subsequently revealed the cause of the engine failure to be a strip of ferrous metal jamming the inlet valve, sabotage being suspected.
2nd Pilot: NZ41323 Flt Sgt Bryan Joseph GROFSKI, RNZAF - Age 29. 403hrs. 16 ops.
The 7th was Grofski’s 29th birthday.

And amendment from Vol Three (Briographies & Appendices):

Grofski and McDonald were given a check flight at about 2115, following which McDonald made five landings before changing seats with Grofski. The latter decided upon a flapless landing for his fourth landing, during which the engine cut. 2METS ORB states McDonald’s right foot amputated whereas the citation for his AFC and all RNZAF papers record it as the left.

And bio details:

GROFSKI, Flight Sergeant Bryan Joseph.
NZ41323; b Chch 7 Oct 13; St Bede's Coll, Chch; concrete worker - PWD, Melling. RNZAF Levin/ITW as Airman Pilot u/t 19 Jan 41, 3EFTS 2 Mar 41, emb for Canada 29 Apr 41, att RCAF 14 May 41, 12SFTS 17 May 41, Pilots Badge & Sgt 8 Aug 41, 1 Y Depôt 14 Aug 41, att RAF & emb for UK 20 Aug 41, 3PRC 15 Sep 41, 15BATF 30 Sep 41, 11OTU (Wellington) 14 Oct 41, 15OTU (Wellington) 27 Apr 42, 15OTU/1443FTF (Wellington) 10 Jun 42, 1OADU (Wellington) Jun 42, flew a Wellington to Egypt via Gibraltar & Malta 27-29 Jun 42, 236 Wing, 104 Sqn (Wellington - 13 ops) 1 Jul 42, 2METS (Wellington), kaa 7 Oct 42. Ramleh War Cemetery - 3.A.12, Ramle, Israel. Son of Joseph Alfonso & Mary Jane Grofski (née Byrne), Timaru. [BSD & phot. TWN 2.12.42


From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999 :

McDONALD, Flying Officer Charles Alexander, AFC.
NZ405294; Born Auckland, 3 Oct 1910; RNZAF 21 Dec 1940 to 16 Mar 1949; Pilot.
Citation Air Force Cross (NY1946): Following operational service with a bomber squadron in support of the 8th Army in the Middle East, this officer, then an instructor in night flying, was gravely injured in a crash in October 1942.[*] The lower part of his left leg was amputated, but after his return to New Zealand early in 1943 Flying Officer McDonald showed such enthusiasm to resume flying that he was permitted to join No 42 Squadron as a pilot. Since then he has shown exceptional devotion to duty as a transport pilot, maintaining excellent judgement, common-sense and skill. He has flown a total of 1,700 hours, including 240 in the last six months, and has earned an excellent reputation for sound and completely reliable flying. [*] In Palestine on 7 Oct 1942, the 2nd pilot, F/S B J Grofski, RNZAF, died of injuries received in the crash. Fg Off McDonald’s operational service in the Middle East was with 104 Sqn RAF (Wellington).
Died Wellington, 3 Dec 1970.

To obtain a free copy of Grofski's RNZAF service record (includes report on accident by McDonald) see here www.nzdf.mil.nz/personnel-records/nzdf-archives/

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

What an awful story. To think they'd do that to Kiwis who'd gone half way around the world to secure their freedom...

[jimtheeagle]

Thank you very much for the info Errol, it fills in many of the gaps. There's one bit in your biographical info on Bryan that may be missing or I have just read wrong, the date when he went to METS. It looks to me like you have him going there in July, but he flew his 13 missions with 104 from about then. Beale flew 15 before he himself was posted to METS in late September, so I expect Bryan may have gone across at the same time.

I have Vols 1 and 2 of 'For Your Tomorrow' but not Vol 3. I have just ordered a couple of books related to the Wellington units in the desert that may round out the picture.

I will also follow your advice and request a copy of his file from Defence.

The story is indeed sad, one aspect being that he died on his 29th birthday. It is good to read that McDonald went on to have a successful flying career despite his injuries.

That the alleged saboteurs were locals is a family story which I can no longer corroborate, and while I can understand a dislike of the British presence, I can't see how the alternative, had Rommel won, would have helped their cause.

Thanks again,
Jim

[errolmartyn]

Jim,

1 Jul 42 is Grofski's posting date to 104 Sqn. I was not able to establish the date for his posting to 2METS.

Errol

PS: PS: Available for purchase, at much reduced prices, are:
Volume Three of my trilogy For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Three: Biographies & Appendices) – soft cover $40.00, hard cover unnumbered $50.00, hard cover signed and numbered $55.00 (just two copies left). Add $5 for p&p. 20% of sales go towards Dave's running of this forum.

Unfortunately Volumes One and Two have long been sold out, with no chance of a reprint. Volume Three, however, with its 5000 biographical entries is to a large extent a stand-alone volume.

[komata]

Jim

The book is 'Aeronautical Engineering: A Practical Guide For Everyone Connected With the Aircraft Industry' (Beaumont, R.A, ed. (London: Odhams Press, 1940)).

Amazon seems to have them for sale.

Hope that this helps; thank you for asking.