NZ Bomber Command Association

[pjw4118]

Nose Art

With plenty of interest in TF Duck, the Captains Fancy and Alexanders Ragtime Crew, I thought a few more examples of Kiwi crews art would be worthwhile



Alan Wilshere 75Sq AA-A



Bill Simpson 109 Sq HS-P



Mel Banks (Gibsons Crew) 106 Squadron



Lou Woodward 218 Squadron HA-D



Robin Craw MG-S 7 Squadron



Phil Small 624 Squadron



Alan Stone 576 Squadron

As always any further details are welcome

[pjw4118]

Oops, Thats the famous D for Duck.

Here's Alan Stones, Georges reply

[fwx]

First photo, LM266, AA-A, 75 (NZ) Squadron, is "Seven Sinners", originally 'owned' by the Bateman crew (Aug-Nov 44), but shown here with the Elmslie crew in early October 44. Alan Wiltshire was the Navigator, next to the Pilot Jim Elmslie, at left.

[pjw4118]

Here is a copy of the front page of the latest NZ Bomber Command Newsletter.
For the complete version please go to www.nzbombercommand.co.nz

[pjw4118]

We have had a lot of inquiries from families wanting to apply for a relatives Bomber Command Clasp.
You need to go on the NZDF medals website and download the Application form for posthumous awards.
Only one family member can apply and the form needs to be attested that your application is approved by family.
The Medals Office has had problems with multiple applications for the same veteran,,
One veteran , one medal.
Expect some delay as there have been some concerns about the length of service needed to qualify

[chadders]

Sept 26, 2012 20:28:47 GMT 12 McFly said:

There's reference to the photos here: www.network54.com/Forum/261665/message/1104278886/10+Squadron+Halifaxes+on+database

HR691 M10 p41 Nose art 'Kiwi' & crew pose (very dark) K
HR691 M10 p57 Crew stand in front of of a/c on a wet dispersal "Kiwi" K

And Halifax HR691 is also referenced here: www.adf-messageboard.com.au/invboard/index.php?showtopic=1912

The crew list for HR691 'ZA-W' when with 10 Sqn RAF is:

Halifax HR691 ZA-W 10 sqn
F/O Dawes A.R. Capt
P/O Parry A.W. Nav
Sgt Bradshaw R. A/B
Sgt Johnson J.L. W/OP
F/S Brennan D. M/U
Sgt Edwards A.G. F/E
Sgt McDanniel H.? T/G


The above crew shown posing in front of HR691 is not  the one listed.
Whilst that crew did fly in HR691 so did a number of other crewws. The actual crew in the photograph is:




Pilot:   G. Hewlett NZAF
Nav:   G. McClelland RAFVR
MU:    R. Minnett RAFVR
W/OP: L. Williams RAFVR
B/A:    J. R. Hulley RAFVR (my wife's cousin).
FE:      T. Thackray RAFVR (who was still hale and hearty when we last spoke in Dec 2011).
RG:     C. MacFarlane RAFVR



The above photograph of the Hewlett crew was taken at the same time as the one posted by McFly. i.e. September 1943 at Melbourne, Yorkshire. England (photo by kind permission of Tom Thackray). The crew are stood on the wing of HR691 now coded ZA-K.


Her is another with the ground crew:






HR691 went from 10 Sqn to 466 Sqn a RAAF squadron. I have been unable to find any details of her career there.

The photograph posted by McFly was published in 1982 in the book "Melbourne Ten" by the late Brian J Rapier.

The rear gunner would not have his photograph taken (according to Tom Thackray). The photograph was taken just about the time the crew was screened from ops which would put it Sepyember 1943. HR691 went on to serve with an Australian squadron I believe and then to 1658 HCU and 1669 HCU at Langar, where it was written off 16.12.1944


Jack Hulley and Tom Thackray survived the war. If anybody has any info on the other crew members, particularly Gordon Hewlett, I'd be very interested.


Cheers,


Jim Chadwick

[errolmartyn]

Jim,

From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999:

HEWLETT, Flying Officer Gordon Roger, DFC.
NZ413847; Born Auckland, 13 Jul 1919; RNZAF 6 Jul 1941 to 26 Jun 1945; Pilot.
Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (1 Sep 1943): [10 Sqn RAF (Halifax)] One night in August, 1943, this officer captained an aircraft detailed for an operation against Nuremberg. During the outward flight one of the engines became unserviceable. Some height was lost but Pilot Officer Hewlett flew on to the target and ultimately bombed it, afterwards piloting the aircraft back to this country. The aircraft was rapidly losing height as the English coast was crossed but Pilot Officer Hewlett effected a successful landing at the nearest airfield. This officer, who has completed many sorties, has invariably displayed great determination and devotion to duty. Following his tour with 10 Sqn Fg Off Hewlett spent 17 months as an instructor on 1663 HCU RAF (Halifax).

Errol

[pjw4118]

Thank you Gentlemen , another one of our mystery photos now has details . Still quite a few to go , but facebook gave us IDs of one we have always wondered about ,,the Te Kooti tiki.

[Dave Homewood]

The Facebook page is really taking off now eh Peter, great stuff.

[chadders]

Errol

Many thanks for that information. I can conclude that I now have at least three of Hewlett's crew (including himself) surviving the war. That's good news.

P.O. G K Hewlett was posted out of 10 Sqn to 1663 HCU wef 11 Sept 1943.

Here is a copy of the 10 Sqn ORB for the night of 10/11 August 1943 with details of the Nurnberg op after which he was awarded the DFC. Hewlett was flying ZA-K (HR691) with his regular crew that night.



Nineteen crews of 10 Sqn were detailed for the operation all but one bombed the target. One aircraft (Sgt Dibbon & crew) FTR.

On 12 August Hewlett and his crew went to Milan in ZA-J (JB910). This is an interesting aircraft not least due to it's artwork. On 16/17 April 1943 it was on the Plzen op. Piloted by Bill Virgo (RAAF) it was attacked by a Bf 110 piloted Fw G Rase. The night fighter was engaged by JB910 rear gunner Sgt Hill, and destroyed. Rase survived but his operator was killed. My wife's cousin, Sgt. Jack Hulley (later F. Lt Hulley DFC) of Hewlett's crew, was the odd bod bomb aimer in JB910 that night.

Hewlett and his crew's next op in ZA-K (HR691) was on 17/18 August to Peenemunde. He had a second dickie for this op, FO G E Farquharson. I'm unsure of his nationality, so it may be of interest.

I'm delighted if I have assisted, in any small way, to clarify, identify and preserve the memories of these brave and the aircraft they flew.

Cheers,

Jim

[pjw4118]

Great detail.
I have checked NZBCA membership going back over 30 years and Hewlett does not appear. Mind you of the 4000 odd survivors only one in four even joined the Association. They had obviously enough of war and the Air Force , but sometimes a crew mate provided a lead. Sorry there is not more.

[pjw4118]

Memorial Trophy Presentation

A formal presentation of the NZBCA Memorial Trophy to CAF AVM Peter Stockwell will be made at Whenuapai on November 7th.

The idea of a trophy (for excellence) came up during last Junes trip by Veterans for the unveiling of the London Memorial. Our Patron, President and Peter Stockwell all agreed it was appropriate.



Richard Taylor and the Weta team designed and cast the figure in bronze. Id represents an aircrew member after a raid, tired but still defiant.

The presentation is open to all Bomber Command Veterans, please RSVP me by November 2.

[avro683]

Excellent picture's

[pjw4118]

NZ Bomber Command Memorial Trophy

Last Thursday at a service at RNZAF Whenuapai, our President Ron Mayhill DFC presented AVM Peter Stockwell Chief of Air Force with a bronze statue of WWII Bomber Command Airmen. It was designed and produced by Weta Workshops.

A good gathering of vererans, friends and families gathered in the officers mess to see the ceremony.
AVM Stockwell on accepting the trophy announced that "it will become one of the RNZAF's premier awards and will be presented to the operation squadron that displays excellence in all aspects of their duty."

[Dave Homewood]

Super photos Peter. I really had hoped to be there as you know but circumstances were against it.

[pjw4118]

In true Air Force fashion , after the Ceremony , we retired to the bar for " refreshments " and the PMC ensured that we were all suitably refreshed. Dave , even you would have been refreshed if you were not on Armistice Day service.
Thank you to AVM Stockwell and the RNZAF for a memorable afternoon.The "Boys " still enjoy a do in the mess.

[pjw4118]

There is a Nelson Branch NZBCA lunch at the Suburban Club in Nelson next Wednesday . We will have around a dozen veterans there and it will be my first chance to meet them all. As its an informal lunch any Forum dwellers can come along .

[Dave Homewood]

Great stuff. Please take loads of photos for the forum and NZBCA Facebook page Peter.

[pjw4118]

The December issue of our Newsletter is out and can be read in full on www.nzbombercommand.co.nz Here's the front page

[Richard Wesley]

Cheers, thanks for posting.