RNZAF members in Wingate's Ghost Army

[Dave Homewood]

This piece came from the EVENING POST, 28 APRIL 1945

Members of "Ghost Army."

"Members of the R.N.Z.A.F. are to be met all over the globe and there is no doubt they had proved their worth in many a corner," said Squadron Leader T. Twigge, who has returned to Palmerston North after spending some time in India as liaison officer, South-east Asia Command, states the "Manawatu Evening Standard." He added that several members of the R.N.Z.A.F. had been attached to the late General Wingate's "Ghost Army" in an advisory capacity with the ground staff. They had to advise on such things as suitable landing grounds or where supplies could be dropped. New Zealand airmen and soldiers bore a particularly good name wherever they had been, he said. "Wherever you go the name of the New Zealander stands very high. Perhaps you can put it down to their very strict sense of discipline. This does not apply to India only, but also to the Middle East."

I wonder if anyone knows who these RNZAF members were? I am guessing Twigge was one of them. Just curious.

[30sqnatc]

Possibly some are among those named as serving with RAF in Burma at nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-3RAF-c12.html

I have read the book on RAF Regt in Burma (Constant Vigilance, The RAF Regiment in the Burma Campaign: The RAF Regiment in South-East Asia Command). I seem to recall one of the Sqn officers was a Kiwi.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Paul. I get the impression there were a lot more Kiwis in the India-Burma front than we'd generally think of.