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Post by jonesy on Aug 20, 2011 16:51:06 GMT 12
Gotta have huge balls for that. Wonder what the average age of those guys wouldve been?
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Post by jonesy on Aug 20, 2011 11:21:17 GMT 12
Tragic as it is, these guys knew what they were doing over there and what comes with the territory. As with some other trades theyre highly trained, incredibly skilled and very highly regarded amongst their peers. Theyre doing a superb job in a really crappy place and deserve our full support. No different to the last 100 years or so of NZ's involvement in conflict.
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Post by jonesy on Aug 20, 2011 11:13:57 GMT 12
Yes that is good, pity they won't be dropping any ordnance this time Exploding parachutists anyone? Seriously though this is the thin end of the wedge, and its great for our Defence force guys to have these opportunities come up more often. Hard graft and sucking up to good old Uncle Sam are starting to pay off...
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Post by jonesy on Aug 20, 2011 7:52:34 GMT 12
RIP. Very sad stuff, someones brother/son/father not coming home. Spare us the petty politicizing debate on whether to bring them home or not. You listening Green Party?
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Post by jonesy on Aug 19, 2011 7:40:48 GMT 12
I see the photo isnt credited to the author, and was probably just taken from a file back at the office. You could add "lazy"to that header then...
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Post by jonesy on Aug 15, 2011 23:00:31 GMT 12
They're great photos, no worries there! Looking at those brings back memories of being there in '93 when the Migs collided, right in front of us. Wicked stuff indeed! Keep up the good work, and look foward to seeing more of your pics. Jonesy
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Post by jonesy on Aug 15, 2011 20:29:14 GMT 12
Most RNZAF aircrew personnel and many WAAF's were inducted into the Air Force at Levin up till 1942, in the Initial Training Wing, and though there was a runway there and it was used for a short time by No. 1 (Bomber) Operational Training Unit (Oxfords and Hudsons), I am not aware of any flying training in Tiger Moths there, which is why I am curious. It is more likely he did ITW training there, which was purely six weeks of uniform issue, drill, shooting, and ground school on navigation, meteorology and the likes; and then moved on to an Elementary Flying Training School at Taieri, Bell Block, Whenuapai, Ashburton or Harewood. Its taken me a while but I've managed to dig out his logbooks. Heres some details: JONES Bryce Drummond NZ413082. Yes he was at No3EFTS Harewood from July to August 1941, so I'm guessing was at Levin early '41? Just to waffle on a bit if anyone's interested...He moved onto Wigram, then 6SFTS Staverton (?), Desford, Wolverhampton, training pilots on DH82's... then Perth and Banff. Briefly trained on Wellingtons at No11 OTU Oakley (I think), then ended up at Wytton for conversion to Mosquito XX. September 1944 saw him at 608 Sqn until December '44 flying both the XX and XXV variants. Jan '45 he was on 162 Sqn based at Bourn (again unsure of spelling?) where he was in the PFF until April 1945. His last flight (his 55th op) was 22 march 1945. Ended up as Flt/Lt with a DFC and some other gongs.. I've actually learnt more about what he did from these forums and his logbooks than what he told us as kids. Whew! So thats our bit of history. Wonder if it ties in with anybody elses here? Cheers!
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Post by jonesy on Aug 15, 2011 13:40:08 GMT 12
Fantastic photos there! Unfortunately Tauranga hasnt been blessed with snow as its still sunny and the locals are to be seen frolicking on the beach...
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Post by jonesy on Aug 14, 2011 23:56:27 GMT 12
From Gp Capt Colin Hanson’s 'By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999', pub by Volplane Press (i.e. me) in 2001: MATICH, Flight Lieutenant Nicholas, DSO, DFM (pff). NZ414658; Born Te Kopuru, 25 Jul 1917; RNZAF 17 Aug 1941 to 22 Nov 1944; Pilot. Citation Distinguished Flying Medal (9 Sep 1943): [35(PFF)Sqn RAF (Halifax)] Flight Sergeant Matich has proved himself to be a most efficient and capable captain of aircraft. On many operational sorties he has achieved most satisfactory results, at all times displaying the keenest desire to attack the enemy, undeterred by the most powerful defences. He has taken part with fine effect in sorties against Cologne, Berlin and many others of the major targets on enemy territory. Citation Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (12 Jun 1944): [35(PFF)Sqn RAF (Halifax)] In air operations this officer has displayed skill and courage of the highest order. Also served with 102 Sqn RAF (Halifax). Member of the ‘Caterpillar’ and ‘Late Arrivals’ clubs. On 27 Sep 1943, Fg Off Matich’s 35(PFF)Sqn Halifax was shot down during a raid on Hanover. He baled out safely and successfully evaded capture. Moving by night he headed for Holland, taking nine nights to cover 100 miles to the German-Dutch border. Through taking cover by day, usually in woods and once in a haystack, he had a fairly safe journey. Fg Off Matich reached the Dortmund-Ems canal on the seventh night only to find it securely guarded. All bridges had sentry boxes at each end, with guards also patrolling the area. Creeping into one sentry box, he overpowered the guard and safely crossed the canal. Two nights later he reached Holland and made contact with the escape and evasion organisation. After spending six weeks hiding in a cellar in a wood he was taken by train and escorted across the frontier into Belgium. From Brussels he travelled in company with another British pilot to France and eventually reached Paris. After several days there the two men were guided by a French girl to Bordeaux. They then made their way south taking three days and nights to walk across the Pyrénées into Spain, finally reaching Gibraltar, from where they were flown back to England, arriving there on 14 Jan 1944. Died Auckland, 25 Sep 1992. Errol Errol, You do seem to have a lot of info on aircrew available. I wonder-did you have to trawl this out of official archive or was it given to you by family members of these guys?
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Post by jonesy on Aug 14, 2011 23:38:29 GMT 12
Yep! The old Mack's been plugged in and wrapped up for the night... Anyone else here working tonight?? Yep Me at Northcom. On O/T with Red Watch, normally Green. Any calls tonight will be via Donna-Marie another Greenie on O/T Well, with any luck we wont be communicating over the radio tonight! Much warmer in the office....aircond is currently sitting on 24...
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Post by jonesy on Aug 14, 2011 23:29:18 GMT 12
Are you part of the 621 crew? Yep! The old Mack's been plugged in and wrapped up for the night... Anyone else here working tonight??
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Post by jonesy on Aug 14, 2011 22:49:33 GMT 12
Cold, sleety,windy miserable weather here at Kinleith-and I'm on a night shift! Crank the aircond up and hope like hell we get no callouts tonight.... Keep warm folks, and remember as miserable as it is where you are...theres always someone somewhere else thats worse off than you are!
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Post by jonesy on Aug 14, 2011 16:44:52 GMT 12
That RAAF Herc wasnt the one that was overhead Tauranga as well? Had one low & slow for a few passes above our house the other day... Still looks and sounds pretty damn good!
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Post by jonesy on Aug 13, 2011 23:04:51 GMT 12
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Post by jonesy on Aug 12, 2011 8:35:51 GMT 12
At the rate things move here in NZ by the time a rail system is built we'll all have our own personal jetpacks or whatever I really feel for the people of CHCH, theres some fantastic ideas out there for the rebuilding but its just gonna take sooooo damn long to accomplish!
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Post by jonesy on Aug 12, 2011 8:02:42 GMT 12
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Post by jonesy on Aug 12, 2011 7:42:05 GMT 12
Wonder how many billion $$$ got sunk into that? Now I'm no Greens-voting tree-hugging pacifist, but I'm pretty sure that theres better ways to spend a buck right now when your country's economy is heading down the toilet....
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Post by jonesy on Aug 11, 2011 22:12:23 GMT 12
For us locals (at the time) it was pretty simple: It was an airport. It was in Parapram (!) hence the name Pram Airport....Guess things arent so simple anymore....
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Post by jonesy on Aug 11, 2011 21:11:30 GMT 12
Huh? Kapiti Coast? What was wrong with the old Paraparaumu Airport?? Guess some high-paid consultant came up with that name...
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Post by jonesy on Aug 8, 2011 20:08:16 GMT 12
Sorry-just fell asleep reading that...
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