Maori aircrew WW2

[ngatimozart]

Dec 21, 2012 15:49:00 GMT 12 fwx said:

So I'm sure there must be quite a few - given the times, and the well-documented difficulties that black American aircrew went through in WW2, it would be fascinating to hear these guys' stories - they must have been pretty courageous and resilient characters.

Cheers,
Chris

Hi Chris, us Māori didn't have the same level of racism that the black Americans did. It is not to be denied that racism existed in NZ then but Māori Pioneers had made a significant contribution at Gallipoli in 1915 and then in France, although there they were not put into combat because of British and NZ racism - it wasn't acceptable to have brown natives killing white fullas. When WWII kicked off Māori wanted to join up but they wanted to fight and they wanted an unit of their own. So the 28th Māori Battalion was formed. Of course some had brains and didn't want to live in holes and walk everywhere so they joined either the RNZAF or the Navy Some of the Waikato Iwi opposed it because of historical greviances over land and mana whenua and didn't volunteer. There is quite a bit of history around that time and quite a bit written about the fight that Māori had getting to fight for their country. The price of citizenship Māori called it. Paul.

[fwx]

Thanks Paul,

Yes I know that the Maori Battalion was thought of very highly here, and these individuals obviously did well in their RNZAF/RAF service careers. Would still be interested in their experiences!

I'm old enough to remember as a kid growing up in the Waikato in the late '50's that there were still some old bad attitudes around, although probably more ignorance than true racism.

Cheers,
Chris

[vs]

I remember seeing a doco on the chap killed in the Great Escape. I believe he was flying a Halifax at the time. I think it was on the Maori channel and it was very good. I recall them thinking that he was the first Maori Pilot to fly over Europe.

[Dave Homewood]

I think too much is made these days specifically about 28 (Maori) Battalion at the detriment of all the other battalions and units of the Army who have been glossed over and largely forgotten (that also goes for our RNZAF squadrons and ships crews too!). I have met numerous Maori Battalion members and have a great respect for them and what they did, but it's no more than what members of any other battalion in the 2NZEF did. In fact a lot of battalions did a lot more time in the front lines in Italy. Yet the impression we are given by the media is almost as if 28 Bttn won the war singlehandedly.

[ngatimozart]

You could also say that the 2nd NZ Armoured Division got all the press (and still does) and very little is said about the 3rd Divison which fought in the Pacific, in the Solomons in very harsh and debilitating conditions. The 3rd Division is also known as the Forgotten division.

[Dave Homewood]

You mean the 2nd Division. NZ has never had armour at division strength! That'd be a lot of armour!!

That is true about the different way the two Divisions are thought of but then the 3rd Division did a lot of garrison duty for most of the Pacific War, and a lot less actual front line fighting than the 2nd Division did.

The really forgotten Divisions are NZ's 1st, 4th and 5th Divisions. You never read about them!

[Glen T]

Dave, in 2009 I was contacted by Dr Nick Lambrechtsen for any detail I could find for him on maori airmen with 75(NZ)Sqn... his email message first, the word document follows... Hope this is of some help....

Glen....



> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:59:14 +1200
> From: [e-mail]
> Subject: Re: Maori aircrew in WW2
> To: [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]
> CC: [e-mail]
>
> Dear Michelle, Glen, Max, and Peter [with copy to Errol]
>
> Thanks to all your input, I have compiled that attached list of Maori aircrew, mainly pilots,
> who flew over the Netherlands during WW2. Additional people could have been added
> with some Maori blood in their veins but they have been omitted in the meantime. There
> are one or two names that may have crept in, and may have to be deleted from the list.
>
> Nevertheless, the list is much longer than I had anticipated and shows that Maori fought
> in the sky, as well as on the ground, where they became quite famous.
>
> The list has been compiled for the exhibition "Mana Maori" which will open at the
> Museum Volkenkunde [Ethnological Museum] in Leiden, the Netherlands on 18 october
> 2010. For details see www.rmv.nl/index.aspx?lang=en
>
> Mr Boyd Klap who is on the organising committee had been asked by one of the Maori
> representatives: What did Maori contribute to the liberation of the Netherlands? An
> earlier attempt to find "NZ Evaders" who escaped through Holland, showed that it was
> very difficult to find their escape stories, so that Boyd and I decided to focus on Maori
> aircrew, in particular pilots.
>
> The attached list may encourage somebody to write an essay on the wider role of Maori
> aircrew during WW2.
>
> Thank you so much for all your generous assistance.
>
> Greetings, Nick Lambrechtsen

WORD DOCUMENT BEGINS............

This list was compiled by Dr Nick Lambrechtsen [[e-mail]] for those maori airman that flew over Dutch territory during WW2.


Maori Airmen in the RNZAF (WW2)

Mainly pilots, and only those who flew over the Netherlands, N W Europe


Introduction


This list has been compiled, with the assistance of various persons, of those Maori pilots who are considered to have flown over the Netherlands during WW2, usually as part of bombing operations on German targets, but in some cases as fighter pilots, escorting these bombing raids, or carrying out air attacks independently of the bombers.

HE Rachel Fry, NZ Ambassador to the Netherlands, has advised that 256 New Zealanders are buried in the Netherlands. Since many Maori have ‘European’ surnames, it is very difficult to identify them from those records.

The military distinctions have been highlighted.


The list


A List compiled by Michelle Sim, Archives Technician, Research Team, Air Force Museum of New Zealand, from Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow: A record of New Zealanders who died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915”, 3 vols [FYT] and from Colin Hanson's "By Such Deeds: Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force 1923-1999” [BSD]. Additional information may be found in the book “Night after Night – New Zealanders in Bomber Command” [NAN] by Max Lambert. Information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has also been added where possible.

Michelle Sim may be contacted via "Info: Air Force Museum" <[e-mail]>


Pohe, Porokoru Patapu (Johnny) F/O, NZ402894, mid – pilot badge 1 Mar 41. First Maori bomber pilot, att. RAF. POW in Stalag Luft III, participant in the Great Escape, captured and shot by Gestapo 31 Mar 44. FYT2, 143,204,207; FYT3, 396. NAN 335-9, BSD 397. His escape is depicted in the film “The Great Escape”.


Wipiti DFM, Bert Sam W/O, NZ 41388 – pilot badge 5 Jul 41. Flew Buffaloes in Singapore with 243 Sqn RAF and 453 Sqn RAAF, then flew Hurricanes in India (67 Sqn RAF), and Spitfires with 485 (NZ) Sqn RAF (26 ops) in England. Kao 3 Oct 43. On Runnymeade Memorial. Age unknown. FYT2, 149; FYT3, 514


Karatau, Eruera (Edward/Ted) Mangahuka - first Maori Spitfire pilot, 73 Sqn RAF (Libya). Died 1981.


Wetere DFC, James Himiona - fighter pilot with 174 Squadron RAF (Typhoon) and 184 Squadron RAF (Typhoon), awarded Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)


Bennett, Edward (Ted) Te Keu - first Maori fighter pilot to join the Desert Air Force


Uru, Henare Whakatau P/O, NZ 39589 – bomber pilot Nos. 297, 299 Sqn RAF, kao 6 Aug 44. In Plougoumelen Communal Cemetery. Age 23. FYT2, 258; FYT3, 484


Naera, Joseph Cassidy - Flying Officer. Ngapuhi tribe, Te Rawara territory, Hokianga.


Amohanga, Kiwi Ernest - 75 Sqn bomber pilot


Zinzan, Vernon John - 75 Sqn bomber pilot (reputedly Zinzan Brooke's namesake)


Rangiuaia, Wi - 75 Sqn bomber pilot


Wehi, Tamaterangi - 75 Sqn bomber pilot/flight engineer


Potaka, Utiku Albert (“Bert”) - bomber pilot, Nos. 148 and 624 Sqns RAF (both Halifax), and 161 and 46 Sqns RAF (both Stirling), received King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air


Raharuhi, Roy William - flew Wellington bombers with 75 Sqn, then Corsairs in Japan with the Occupation Force post WW2


Riwai, Tohunga Richard F/O, NZ421764 - Mosquito pilot, 488 (NZ) Sqn RAF, kao 21 Feb 1944. In Brookwood Military Cemetery. Age 25. FYt2, 195; FYT3, 412


B List provided by Glen Turner, Secretary/Treasurer, 75 Squadron Association NZ who may be contacted via [e-mail] or via "TURNER GLEN, SGT" <[e-mail]>


He provided the following additional info from 75 Sqn:


P/O Iwikau Te Matauira TE AIKA, DFC, NZ425860, AG, 18SEP to 17JUN 1944. C/W D.G.G. HORGAN.


FgOff Richard John URLICH, NZ426229, Pilot. 20March to 15Jun 1945. He died in 2008 in Kaitaia and I have been in contact with his daughter Marlaine.


Sgt M.T.T MANAWAITI WOAG DFM, NZ412895, 12AUG1942 to 6MAY1943. C/W LJ Trott as WOP.


W/O Te Rahu Calvin MATAIRA, NZ43492, AG, 20MAR to 28SEP 1945. C/W C R Wagstaff as rear gunner.


With regards to C/W DGG HORGAN, Glen tells me that he has just attended the funeral of Desmond Horgan (96) in Auckland. Horgan featured in the TV doco "Night after Night", where Te Aika is also mentioned. For reference on this doco, see: media.maoritelevision.com/default.aspx?tabid=205&pid=411


C List provided by Max Lambert who wrote "Night after Night" [NAN] and is now writing a book on NZ fighter pilots. He may be contacted via: Max Lambert <[e-mail]>


George WIREPA, bomb aimer, 514 sqn. There is a long piece by/about him in Alison Parr's book “The Big Show: New Zealanders, D-Day and the war in Europe.” Alison Parr is a Senior Oral Historian, Ministry for Culture & Heritage. She interviewed Flying Officer George Wirepa for her book. He retired in Te Kuiti.


Simon SNOWDEN was a top bomb aimer B/A. Distinguished Maori with a CBE postwar. See p. 359 of NAN.


D List provided by Peter Wheeler, NZ Bomber Command Association Administration. He may be contacted via [e-mail]


Pereana MORGAN Mosquito Pilot 692 Sq KAO 15/1/45. In CWGC he is registered as John Perenara MORGAN, NZ413881, age 24, Grave 15719, Cambridge City Cemetery UK. Parents from Christchurch. Peter Wheeler adds that photos and a brief write up about Pere Morgan appears in their new book “Kiwis Do Fly, New Zealanders in RAF Bomber Command”. This contains first-hand accounts from 42 veterans.


W J Rangi SWINTON from Raukokore Pilot 486 Sq POW 2/44 died 14/6/83. The 486 squadron has a strong connection with Holland since it was based at Volkel. This airbase is still operational in the Netherlands.


T M Ike FENTON of Waitara, Pilot 486 Sq. After WW2, he transferred to the Army and became a Major in the artillery in Korea. Represented NZ at the Queen’s Coronation. Died 28/12/64


Peter Wheeler also advises that the new book “Aircrew of Northland” by Ted Edwards [[e-mail]] contains the following:


E S Haimoana SNOWDEN of Ahipara, p Nav 75 Sq DFC, Polish Cross


Mate Alexander MILICH of Waiharara, F/O Pilot, NZ429666, 198Sq DFC KOA 7/12/44, grave 179, Woudenberg General Cemetery [E of Utrecht, the Netherlands]


Raymond Cyril GOING of Whangarei, Sgt A/G, NZ414278, 75Sq KAO 3/3/43, panel 199, Runnymeade Memorial


Jock LEAF A/G 1sq RNZAF Pacific [delete?]


Ratu Jack MATAIRA of Nuhaka Hawkes Bay W/Op 75sq

E Nick Lambrechtsen found on www.28Maoribattalion.org.nz/user/aircrew


HAYWARD, W/O Cecil Matene (Blokey) NZ4212707, died 11-3-2000

HAYWARD, Eric Howard Te Tiwana NZ411711, died 8-8-1947, aged 32.


KARENA, Peeti Rotana, Sgt, NZ411793, kaa 3 Feb 1943, Runnymede Memorial. FYT2, 59; FYT3, 279.


Compiler

This list was compiled by Dr Nick Lambrechtsen [[e-mail]]. He wishes to add that


1. The book “Aircrew of Northland” by Ted Edwards may be bought from the author [[e-mail]], or from T T Healey MBE, 2 Montague Place, Onerahi, Whangarei.


2. He perused the personal file of Porokoru Patapu POHE at NZ Defence Personnel Archives and copied several pages, which he can make available if requested.


3. Any pilot who received a military distinction may be found in the book by Group Captain (Ret.) Colin [C M] Hanson "By Such Deeds: Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force 1923-1999”. Publ. Volplane Press, Christchurch 2001.


4. The new book “Swift to the Sky – New Zealand’s Military Aviation History” by Errol Martyn with the Air Force Museum of NZ, Publ. Penguin-Viking 2010, may contain additional information.

20 August 2010.

[oggie2620]

Glen did you meet Jenny Kereama-Ellis when you were over for that Yarmouth reunion? If not next time you are over I will take you to Poringland to meet here and her husb and John. On second thoughts I will take you anyway as I am sure she would love to see you again...

[Dave Homewood]

Looking through my list of members of No. 1 Squadron during WWII, I find these:

S.B. Kanape NZ423994 (Not sure if this first one is a Maori name or not, I guess you can check names against the maori Electoral Roll I suppose)

Lomond Omer 'Jock' Leaf NZ421980 Air Gunner, Hinds and Venturas (definitely Maori, I met him)

M.T. Parata NZ391068

Jack Huia Register NZ401780 Pilot on Hudsons. (May or may not be Maori, not sure, but his middle name is a Maori birdname)

Douglas Wharepouri Riddler NZ413478 or maybe NZ405154 Pilot, Hudsons (May or may not be Maori, not sure, but his middle name is Maori - I also have found two seperate service numbers attached to his name. Not sure if either is the correct one)

Jimmy Ruri NZ442249 Air Gunner, Venturas

Henry Peter Te Hira NZ431991 Air Gucnner

From my No. 3 Squadron listing:
F/Lt Wilfred Opawa Rutherford NZ1299 Pilot

P/O Alistair Tanetoa Parata (known as Tane') NZ403983 Pilot, Vincents, Hudsons

[Dave Homewood]

I have often thought, just by looking at photos, that Air Commodore Theodore Jasper Maclean de Lange looked as if he had some Maori blood. I don't know if he did, perhaps it's just me? He led No. 25 Squadron in their Dauntless era. He also served in India, and postwar was CO of No. 41 Squadron and was Station Commander of Whenuapai and then Wigram, and Director of Training at various stages.

[Luther Moore]

Going by name might be hard, keep in mind Tongan and Samoan names sound alike.

[baronbeeza]

Len Chambers of 75 and 617 Sqdns would most certainly qualify as Maori.
Any list would be difficult to define and determine.

[errolmartyn]

Dave,

"Douglas Wharepouri Riddler NZ413478 or maybe NZ405154 Pilot, Hudsons (May or may not be Maori, not sure, but his middle name is Maori - I also have found two seperate service numbers attached to his name. Not sure if either is the correct one)."

NZ413478 is the correct service number.

Errol

[errolmartyn]

"Jimmy Ruri NZ442249 Air Gunner, Venturas"

NZ436807 - not NZ442249.

Errol

[errolmartyn]

"Henry Peter Te Hira NZ431991 Air Gunner"

NZ4216556 - not NZ431991.

Errol

[errolmartyn]

"S.B. Kanape NZ423994 (Not sure if this first one is a Maori name or not, I guess you can check names against the maori Electoral Roll I suppose)"

Marvellously named as Solomon Benedictus Kanape!

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Errol.

[Dave Homewood]

I think you're right there Luther, for example now knowing Kanape's full name it sounds as if he was a Pacific Islander. Perhaps Fijian, Samoan or Tongan, etc.

[ngatimozart]

This is a copy of post I posted in the The New Zealand Army in WWII - 1939-1945 :: Maori units in the Pacific?. Since it covers both subjects have repeated it here.

Hi Errol, there are still full blooded Māori around. Ok, as far as I am aware there was only one specific Māori unit in the 2nd WW and that was the 28th Māori Battalion which fought in the European Theatre. Sir Apriana Ngata was the force behind the formation of the Māori Battalion and it was always known that only one battalion could be realistically raised and sustained by Māori.

Ok on tracking down Māori serving in RNZAF 1939 - 45. Going by names only is a bit hit and miss. Where there is an obvious Māori surname, yes a good chance of that person being Māori. A Māori first name, probably and a Māori second name, maybe. Then you have Māori that have European names, such as my uncle Arthur James Wellington. Wellington has been the family name since 1820 odd and it was taken as a mark of respect by my great great grandfather to the Duke of Wellington (he who whipped Napoleons ass) with the Dukes blessing - they met in London. My uncles & mothers generation were the first generation in my immediate family to have non Māori blood (their mother was Irish - their father a full blooded Māori, died 1984). The surname came first and as the missionary hold became tighter and the old ways disappeared, European christian names started to be used.

So I think the only way to be sure would be to check records and I don't know if the RNZAF collected ethnic data back then. Another way would be to contact marea nationwide and ask them for names of those who served in RNZAF during WW2. Would be a humungous job but most marae would know who did. It would have to be approached very carefully and sensitively, would involve lots of negotiation and be over a long time period.

Errol: I've got the ok from the kuia to request a copy of my uncles records from NZDF, so applied on line Xmas Eve. I've sent you a PM Paul.

[Luther Moore]

''There are full blooded Maori around'' Are there? I thought there wasn't.. My Great Uncle P/O Peter Moore was Maori and going by his name you never would of known,then again he was part Irish.