Lost Airfields Then & Now RNZAF Levin/Weraroa
Sept 12, 2024 16:58:23 GMT 12
Dave Homewood and Antonio like this
Post by McFly on Sept 12, 2024 16:58:23 GMT 12
Unveiling of a plaque commemorating the site of the former RNZAF Station Levin/Weraroa on Sunday 15 Sep 2024 at 10am
"A dedication plaque will be unveiled at the site of the former RNZAF Station Levin on 15 Sep 24. Some buildings of the original station still exist, as well as the original flag pole where the dedication plaque will be unveiled (outside The George Café). The ceremony will commence at 1000h. The Speldhurst Country Estate now occupies the former RNZAF Station Levin “base side” location of the station.
RNZAF Station Levin operated from 1939 - 1944 and was home to the Initial Training Wing (1939 - 1942), Initial Officer training, Numbers 1 and 10 (Bomber) Operational Training Units operating Hudson aircraft with crews destined for the Pacific. Significantly, it was the location for the first intake of women into the WAAF/WRNZAF. Aircraft from Levin also provided direct support to the training of US Marines at Paekakariki prior to deploying to the Pacific.
Previous Station commanders included:
WGCDR Ronald Sinclair – Jan 1942 then RNZAF Station Taieri, Air Commodore Trevor Watts CBE, ED Jan 42-Mar 42, WGCDR Fr Dix mar 42-43, And finally known, WGCDR Arthur Upham DFC."
"A dedication plaque will be unveiled at the site of the former RNZAF Station Levin on 15 Sep 24. Some buildings of the original station still exist, as well as the original flag pole where the dedication plaque will be unveiled (outside The George Café). The ceremony will commence at 1000h. The Speldhurst Country Estate now occupies the former RNZAF Station Levin “base side” location of the station.
RNZAF Station Levin operated from 1939 - 1944 and was home to the Initial Training Wing (1939 - 1942), Initial Officer training, Numbers 1 and 10 (Bomber) Operational Training Units operating Hudson aircraft with crews destined for the Pacific. Significantly, it was the location for the first intake of women into the WAAF/WRNZAF. Aircraft from Levin also provided direct support to the training of US Marines at Paekakariki prior to deploying to the Pacific.
Previous Station commanders included:
WGCDR Ronald Sinclair – Jan 1942 then RNZAF Station Taieri, Air Commodore Trevor Watts CBE, ED Jan 42-Mar 42, WGCDR Fr Dix mar 42-43, And finally known, WGCDR Arthur Upham DFC."
