Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 7, 2021 8:46:35 GMT 12
The WONZ Show Episode 249 just went online, a special bumper sized episode to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Pacific War - or at least the entry of Japan into the Second World War. New Zealand and Australia had already been fighting the Germans in the Pacific, now they had a much larger, nearer and more fearsome foe, Japan. And this brought the USA into the war too, who would become a vital Ally to New Zealand.
In this episode we have three Pacific War related stories. The first is an interview with former Royal Australian Navy Commander Max Speedy, a New Zealand born naval aviator, who gives an overview of the Pacific conflict, and tells the story of his father’s war. Max’s Dad was Ian Speedy, an RNZAF fighter pilot who served with No. 17 (F) Squadron on Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks and Warhawks, including three tours in the Pacific. He then served a further tour in the Pacific with No. 22 (F) Squadron, flying Chance Vought Corsairs.
Next is an interview with Marty Irons of Vermont, USA, who has just written a new book called Corsair Down: Tales of Rescue and Survival During WWII. The book is a collection of stories, many first hand accounts, about Corsair pilots who found themselves shot down or forced down into the water or the jungles of the Pacific war, and requiring rescue. Among the stories are not not US Navy and USMC pilots, but also New Zealanders who flew Corsairs with the RNZAF, and also Kiwis among the rescuers with No. 6 (Flying Boat) Squadron, flying the “Dumbo” rescue missions in Catalinas.
And finally an interview from 2009 with Geoffrey Fisken DFC, New Zealand’s and the British Empire’s leading fighter ace in the Pacific War. Geoff talks about his early life and his time in the RNZAF before he went overseas. He discusses his time in Malaya where he became the leading Allied ace in the Singapore-Malaya campaign, flying Brewster Buffalo fighters with No. 243 Squadron RAF.
Following the defeat of Singapore and his return to New Zealand, Geoff joined No. 488 Squadron, which a month later was renamed No. 14 (Fighter) Squadron. He talks about flying with this famous squadron at Masterton, and at Espiritu Santo and Guadalcanal.
We remember all the New Zealanders who served in the Pacific campaigns, June 1940-September 1945.
Here is the link:
cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2021/12/wonz-249-pacific-war-80th-anniverary/
In this episode we have three Pacific War related stories. The first is an interview with former Royal Australian Navy Commander Max Speedy, a New Zealand born naval aviator, who gives an overview of the Pacific conflict, and tells the story of his father’s war. Max’s Dad was Ian Speedy, an RNZAF fighter pilot who served with No. 17 (F) Squadron on Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks and Warhawks, including three tours in the Pacific. He then served a further tour in the Pacific with No. 22 (F) Squadron, flying Chance Vought Corsairs.
Next is an interview with Marty Irons of Vermont, USA, who has just written a new book called Corsair Down: Tales of Rescue and Survival During WWII. The book is a collection of stories, many first hand accounts, about Corsair pilots who found themselves shot down or forced down into the water or the jungles of the Pacific war, and requiring rescue. Among the stories are not not US Navy and USMC pilots, but also New Zealanders who flew Corsairs with the RNZAF, and also Kiwis among the rescuers with No. 6 (Flying Boat) Squadron, flying the “Dumbo” rescue missions in Catalinas.
And finally an interview from 2009 with Geoffrey Fisken DFC, New Zealand’s and the British Empire’s leading fighter ace in the Pacific War. Geoff talks about his early life and his time in the RNZAF before he went overseas. He discusses his time in Malaya where he became the leading Allied ace in the Singapore-Malaya campaign, flying Brewster Buffalo fighters with No. 243 Squadron RAF.
Following the defeat of Singapore and his return to New Zealand, Geoff joined No. 488 Squadron, which a month later was renamed No. 14 (Fighter) Squadron. He talks about flying with this famous squadron at Masterton, and at Espiritu Santo and Guadalcanal.
We remember all the New Zealanders who served in the Pacific campaigns, June 1940-September 1945.
Here is the link:
cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2021/12/wonz-249-pacific-war-80th-anniverary/
