Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 4, 2005 0:05:22 GMT 12
I was interviewing an old chap today for my research into the RNZAF General Reconaissance squadrons, and he told me something I found quite a surprise.
He'd been a flight mechanic on No. 2 (GR) Squadron at RNZAF Station Nelson (which is at the top left of the South Island of NZ). He said he recalls a time when there was three or four days of frenetic activity on the squadron and their Hudsons were very active, putting quote a strain on everyone. He says at the end of this period, the squadron CO, Jack Busch, got the squadron together and announced why they'd been working so hard. Apparently he announced the squadron had been tracking and had destroyed a submarine in New Zealand waters!
Now, this was a shock to me because I have never heard anything about any submarine being destroyed in New Zealand waters. Jap subs certainly did operate in our waters right close in, and even went through the heavily defended Cook Strait unnoticed. But I have never heard or read of any being found, attacjed and claimed as sunk in NZ waters.
If it did happen it may have been hushed up like many things to stop public panic. But there must be a record somewhere if the sub was attacked, even if it was proven not to have sunk.
So, could this be true? Or was the CO simply telling pork pies to raise morale perhaps?? Any theories welcome.
He'd been a flight mechanic on No. 2 (GR) Squadron at RNZAF Station Nelson (which is at the top left of the South Island of NZ). He said he recalls a time when there was three or four days of frenetic activity on the squadron and their Hudsons were very active, putting quote a strain on everyone. He says at the end of this period, the squadron CO, Jack Busch, got the squadron together and announced why they'd been working so hard. Apparently he announced the squadron had been tracking and had destroyed a submarine in New Zealand waters!
Now, this was a shock to me because I have never heard anything about any submarine being destroyed in New Zealand waters. Jap subs certainly did operate in our waters right close in, and even went through the heavily defended Cook Strait unnoticed. But I have never heard or read of any being found, attacjed and claimed as sunk in NZ waters.
If it did happen it may have been hushed up like many things to stop public panic. But there must be a record somewhere if the sub was attacked, even if it was proven not to have sunk.
So, could this be true? Or was the CO simply telling pork pies to raise morale perhaps?? Any theories welcome.
