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Post by flyinghilly on Sept 15, 2018 21:58:38 GMT 12
As you are aware Alan Peart DFC passed away a few days ago in Hamilton at 96 years of age.
After some research I thought that he was the Last NZ WW2 Fighter Ace but after the Herald and the Stuff web sites reported this they later recanted and said that there was another NZ Ace still living in Australia.
As quoted in the Herald:
"That title now belongs to John Forrest, in his 90s and now lives in Australia, but is involved in the RSA in his home country."
Being an Ace is an unofficial status however the definitive list of RAF and Commonwealth aces is the book called "Aces High" Christopher Shores and the edition of this book that I have makes no mention of a John Forrest.
There is another book called "Those Other Eagles" that lists pilot with 1 - 54 combat victories - I have yet to check this
Does anyone have any information on John Forrest - who he flew with?, how many victories did he have?, was he a NZer? and so on.
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Post by errolmartyn on Sept 15, 2018 23:03:31 GMT 12
There is another book called "Those Other Eagles" that lists pilot with 1 - 54 combat victories - I have yet to check this Does anyone have any information on John Forrest - who he flew with?, how many victories did he have?, was he a NZer? and so on. No one by name of Forrest in Those Other Eagles either. Seems as though the Herald's informant is barking up the wrong tree . . . Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 15, 2018 23:18:52 GMT 12
I think Stuff have royally stuffed up again. I have sent a message to ex-RNZAF member John L.Forrest who now lives in Perth about this, he's involved in veterans affairs and runs RNZAF Sick & Deceased, and RNZAF Past and Present Facebook pages. But I don't think he was ever a fighter ace in his 90's.
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Post by noooby on Sept 16, 2018 5:43:56 GMT 12
John Forrest, previously a teacher of mine in Te Puke, would be in his 90's now. But he wasn't an Ace. Best I could figure out was he flew Meteors with the RAAF in Korean and then Sabres.
If anyone is in contact with Kevin Wells (485 history), they were teaching at Te Puke High at the same time. Kevin may know more about him.
His father had a Spartan in NZ. I wouldn't have thought he would have moved to Australia after retiring though.
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