Crash of Ventura NZ4634

[clint]

The Pacific Wrecks website's latest update is in relation to the crash of PV-1 Ventura NZ4634 on the 20/12/1944 on Bougainville. I was always awrare of this crash and that one of the gunners F/Sgt Gardiner was the only survivor. What I didn't know was that he survived a second crash in an Auster aircraft in an attempt to medivac him on the 27/12/1944.

www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/pv-1/NZ4634.html

Also of note, these items are on sale on trademe that apparently belonged to F/LT R.L Scarlett who was the WOP/AG on board the aircraft and killed.

www.trademe.co.nz/antiques-collectables/militaria/wwii-earlier/auction-1466130675.htm

[baronbeeza]

Thanks for the head's-up there Clint. I just bought the items as we are related and it may be best kept in the family. I have no idea of the provenance of the items but that could be sorted out at a later date.
The Scarletts of Karamea lost two airman in the Pacific and the only surving brother of Leslie (Robert) is now living in Westport. (Cousin Theo was in Plonky).
Leslie had another cousin, Len Chambers, who had been on the Dambusters raid.

As I now own the stuff I would appreciate any thoughts from others here, PM if necessary. I am aware of the collection at the RNZAF Museum and will post a pic of that soon.


Our final story in our remembrance series in the lead-up to Anzac Day 2016 story takes place in the Pacific theatre of operations during World War Two, on the island of Bougainville in the Solomon Islands.

On the morning of 20 December 1944, wireless operator Flight Lieutenant Robert Scarlett of Westport took off with his highly experienced crew in a No. 1 Squadron RNZAF Lockheed Ventura. In true Anzac spirit, they were tasked with dropping supplies to Australian troops figh...ting the Japanese. After some delay, they commenced their dropping run but had insufficient power to make it over a ridge, stalled and crashed into the dense undergrowth. Their pilot, Flight Lieutenant Denis Hobbs and navigator Sergeant Fred Dudley died instantly. Robert Scarlett and the two air gunners were badly injured. Robert, together with Warrant Officer Stan Anzac Nuttall, was carried down from the ridge by Australian soldiers, but sadly, he died on the way. Stan also later died of his burns. Only the remaining air gunner, Flight Sergeant Neville Gardiner survived, having been rescued and evacuated by the Australians and local coast-watchers.

The four crew who died are buried in the Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery in New Caledonia. Like other families in New Zealand, Robert Scarlett’s received a Memorial Cross in addition to his campaign and service medals as a symbol of his sacrifice.

#‎AirForceMuseumNZ #‎fromthearchives #‎lestweforget #‎ANZACDay2016 #‎commemoration #‎remembrance #‎RNZAF #‎AirForce #‎aircrew #‎wirelessoperator #‎PacificWW2 #‎WW2 #‎Ventura #‎Bougainville #‎MemorialCross #‎medals

[clint]

That kind of family history should be told in a book or documentary.

[baronbeeza]

I should ask more questions about what happened out at Karamea for these guys to join up. My mother said it was pretty amazing as they didn't meet the education requirements. This is Karamea, top of the West Coast, miles from anywhere and rudimentary transport, no electricity etc.
She said they were so motivated that they got together and self schooled themselves to meet the mathematical and science levels. They then would have had to travel to go through the selection and recruitment procedures. Karamea at the time would have been a farming and sawmilling outpost.

To go from farmers son to an aircrew position operating state of the art equipment in just a few years, often as teenagers, makes that generation somewhat unique. I often wonder how the people at home felt when these guys returned from the adventure, younger siblings had been nowhere whereas these guys had traveled the world and seen too much.

I guess we can understand why many never spoke of their experiences.

[Dave Homewood]

It just goes to show when your luck is not going well, that Auster story alone!

[baronbeeza]

I may have access to a whole lot more of the incident. W/C Kevin Jones is also from Karamea and I know he had access to many of the reports while he worked in one of his Wellington positions. From memory the Australians wrote a very detailed and comprehensive report and that was included within the file I saw.
I haven't looked at the book reference yet so I am unaware whether it has been mentioned there. I will look into the possibility of getting approval to forward a copy onto the authors if that would help them.

[pauld]

Hi Guys, i am the seller on trademe.
I bought all these items together from the same seller ( cannot remember when and who) and the one thing that identified Robert Scarlett was a Receipt from the RNZAF Officer's Mess which was included in the lot on tradeMe
Now the interesting thing is that the Portrait photo of Scarlett has him wearing the very same WAG brevet which was part of that collection which confirms it further.
Also i was pleasantly surprised to see that the RNZAF museum has his memorial cross and medals as i sent a letter to the Medals dept asking what he was entitled to and if they had been issued. they sent a letter back confirming that the medals had been issued ( probably to next of Kin) and it is good to know where they actually are.
I have a bit of info which will go with the items about his service ( thanks to David Duxbury) so BaronBeeza migh learn something new about Robert Scarlett.

Anyhow i am pleased that Baronbeeza is family and that these items are going to a home where they will be appreciated.

Once again all the items i am sure belonged to Robert.

cheers
PaulD