hmkani
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 6 
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Post by hmkani on Apr 13, 2014 22:14:48 GMT 12
Yes, one of those who was more obviously Mâori: NZ421978 Henare Matua Kani. A WOp/AG who was also commissioned during the war. Errol yes he trained in Canada. |
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tall69
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by tall69 on May 9, 2014 18:49:42 GMT 12
One of the most well known was Bert Wipiti of course. Credited by some as an ace, not by others. Numerous airmen who I have studied that flew in the Pacific had Maori names, often as middle names. But having a Maori name and actually being Maori back then was often not the same thing, such as in the case of the famous writer Ngaio Marsh, who's parents called all three daughters Maori names to be politically correct/fashionable, yet they were all very white caucasian. It was a trendy thing apparently. One guy I assumed was a Maori due to his surname I was later told was actually of Italian descent. Hey there Bert was indeed of Maori Descent,and my grandmothers Cousin,Im currently doing my Family Tree,and have now got hold of others in Bert's Family and of course mine too.im not too sure about that Italian Descent,will post back about that. Im very proud of Bert even though we never met,and a Fighter Ace to boot,well take care,Robert Burns. |
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Post by pjw4118 on May 26, 2014 19:18:54 GMT 12
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whasudr
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by whasudr on Apr 18, 2015 19:09:27 GMT 12
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. My grandfather 'Ernest Sutherland' RFC/RAF 236squaudron flew over europe in 1917-18 in WW1. |
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Post by errolmartyn on Apr 22, 2015 13:44:08 GMT 12
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. My grandfather 'Ernest Sutherland' RFC/RAF 236squaudron flew over europe in 1917-18 in WW1. After graduating at the Canterbury (NZ) Aviation Company’s flyling school at Sockburn, your grandfather sailed from Wellington on the Arawa on 13 October 1917 and disembarked at Liverpool on 8 December 1917, whereupon he was enlisted in the RFC as an Air Mechanic 3rd Class (thence to Private 2nd Class when the RAF was formed on 1 April 1918). Also on board were 8 other Sockburn pilot trainees and one from the New Zealand Flying School, and part of the 30th Reinforcements for the NZEF. Following ground training, Sutherland was posted to Aldeburgh in Suffolk on 27 July 1918, the School for Anti-Submarine Inshore Patrol Observers being formed there about this time. It was here that he would have made his first flights in the UK. On 19 August he was re-ranked as an Observer Flight Cadet. At the conclusion of this training Sutherland was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, on 4 October, and a few days later posted to 236 Squadron at Mullion in Cornwall for operational duties on DH.6 and/or DH.9 aircraft. His flying here would most likely have been over the George’s Channel-Atlantic-English Channel area rather than ‘Europe’ He appears to have been with the squadron until May 1919 (it was disbanded at the end of that month) with postings (attachments?) to 494 (493?) Flight (also at Mullion) and to 6 Training Depot Station at Boscombe Down along the way. Sutherland was transferred to the RAF’s Unemployed List on 12 July 1919. He was granted the British War Medal upon request in 1924. I wonder if the medal still survives. I still have some work to do on Sutherland’s biographical entry for my proposed Ack Emmas to Zeppelin Hunters – New Zealand airmen and airwomen in the Great War and Russia, 1914-1919 and would welcome any information as to the whereabouts of his log book or photographs (apart from the photo which appears on his Royal Aero Club aviator’s certificate). Errol |
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Post by Luther Moore on May 10, 2015 21:55:21 GMT 12
I had a chap post on the wall of one of my facebook groups looking for info on Hawea Tomoana who served with 149 Squadron RAF. I sent him the link to this thread but I'm not sure if he will see it and post here. He has attached a photo to his post as well. www.facebook.com/pages/No149-Squadron-RAF/230269846999091 |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 18, 2015 19:11:56 GMT 12
This is from the New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25382, 11 December 1945, Page 6
MAORI MEMORIAL
MEMBERS OF AIR FORCE
(0.C.) GISBORNE, Monday
"This monument is erected to the memory of two gallant sons of the Maori race, and we of the Air Force are very proud to have had numbers of Maori people in the services," said Group Captain G. A. Nicholls. in unveiling at Manutuke a memorial stone to the late Sergeant N. Stewart and Flight Sergeant A. W. Doreen, both of the R.N.Z.A.F.
"Although the deeds of the Maori Battalion will go down in history as a glorious page in the record of the Maori race, we are also proud of the record of the Maoris who served with the Air Force and the Navy." Group Captain Nicholls continued. "The memory of the two gallant sons to whom this memorial is erected will live in the history of the Maori race and in the history of Poverty Bay."
Sergeant Stewart was reported missing from a service flight from Gisborne in a Vickers Vildebeest in December, 1942. He is survived by his wife and three children. Flight Sergeant Doreen was killed when his aircraft crashed off the shore at Los Negros on V-J Day.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 18, 2015 19:12:27 GMT 12
Has anyone seen the above memorial? I'd be interested in seeing a photo.
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Post by meo4 on Sept 18, 2015 22:50:25 GMT 12
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hmkani
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 6
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Post by hmkani on Oct 8, 2015 21:29:03 GMT 12
Yes, one of those who was more obviously Mâori: NZ421978 Henare Matua Kani. A WOp/AG who was also commissioned during the war. Errol |
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hmkani
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 6
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Post by hmkani on Oct 8, 2015 21:33:16 GMT 12
I would like to know more about my fathers Air Force career his name was Henare Kani (HM Kani)
He was full blooded Maori he didnt talk about war at all. Trained in Canada went to England
Henare
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Post by errolmartyn on Oct 9, 2015 8:36:42 GMT 12
I would like to know more about my fathers Air Force career his name was Henare Kani (HM Kani) He was full blooded Maori he didnt talk about war at all. Trained in Canada went to England Henare Henare, A good place to start is to request a free copy of his RNZAF service record through Personnel Records, New Zealand Defence Force. See here for further info: www.nzdf.mil.nz/personnel-records/nzdf-archives/Errol |
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Post by braxsnan on Mar 14, 2016 9:23:08 GMT 12
Kia ora: I have been following the conversation about Maori airmen with interest and offer up the following. My father was Inia Whangataua Maaka (NZ421741), RNZAF 75th Squadron (Bomber Command). He was a bomb aimer (Lancasters). His iwi were Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tahu. I believe that he flew, at different times, with crew in N-Nan, S-Sugar and P-Peter. In the years after the war, he talked with great fondness of men like Bill Birnie (NZ), Arch Bain (NZ), Bill Ottway (NZ), Harry Yates (UK), Geoff Fallowfield (UK), Norrie Close (UK) and Tubby Westell (UK) to name some. His skipper Harry Yates wrote extensively about their experiences in his book "Luck and a Lancaster." On many occasions Mac and his kiwi mates would meet to recount their antics over a few beers. And, sometimes, they had opportunities to reunite with their British mates (e.g., the 1978 reunion in Mepal, UK). When all these mates got together they would spend hours recounting with great hilarity their exploits. It was only on very rare occasions that they would let their guards down and talk about the very raw and very frightening experiences they had, especially during their raids into the interior of Germany. For example, in July 1944, the 75th Squadron, from Mepal, lost 7 of its 25 aircraft on a raid. If I recall correctly, N-Nan was shot down shortly after a new crew took over. I believe that the crew, very sadly, perished. I have my father's flight log, letters, and photos (from during the war and post war). Among many things, these materials detail a unique camaraderie among those mentioned above. In all of them were strengths of character that were remarkable considering how very young they all were when they went to war. Mac, as we (including my brother Graham and me) called him, returned from the war and settled into civilian life, distinguishing himself as an awesome husband, father, and community member. My brother and I share the honor and privilege of being raised by a man who was loved and respected by all. Mac died in 1996 (January 16) at his home in Taradale, Napier. He is greatly loved and missed. Ake ake kia kaha. Margaret Maaka (his daughter) |
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Post by braxsnan on Mar 14, 2016 9:28:48 GMT 12
Hi I am looking for the family of Inia Maaka NZ421741, I can be contacted via my email melz1_2@msn.com
Thank you
Melissa Richards
Whakatane
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Post by pjw4118 on Mar 20, 2016 12:25:20 GMT 12
Heres a photo from the FCAF museum dated 1943, 65FTS Dunnville  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 20, 2016 12:50:12 GMT 12
That is a great photo. I might have to use that as a header in future!
FCAF? Is that RCAF?
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Post by pjw4118 on Mar 20, 2016 18:10:15 GMT 12
Yes RCAF Archives
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Post by fwx on Mar 20, 2016 19:49:36 GMT 12
Great photo!
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Post by davidd on Mar 20, 2016 21:47:12 GMT 12
And that would be 6 SFTS rather than 65FTS!! And I agree, a great photo (somebody spotted an opportunity, and I'm glad they did). Also just noticed they are wearing the early version of battledress trousers, with the adjusting tabs at the ankle - you don't see those too often, and I was not even aware that these were available in Canada.
David D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 20, 2016 22:46:28 GMT 12
I wonder if the course number or names are known for that photo. Several of the people I have interviewed or researched went through No. 6 SFTS at Dunnville.
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