Question about Austers

[Dave Homewood]

I listened to an interview on Radio New Zealand National from a few weeks ago with an Army veteran who was about to head back to Korea for the 60th Anniversary of the war's cessation. He was in the Royal New Zealand Artillery, and he mentioned they had Austers that spotted for them to note the fall of their rounds and direct them to the target.

I was wondering, would these perhaps have been flown by NZ Army pilots as part of the Army unit? Or were they RAF/ British Army Air Corps pilots from an unattached unit?

After all the RNZAF had Austers from 1947, and one of their roles was as AOP with the NZ Army so I guess some pilots may have been sent from New Zealand to fly there perhaps?

Any thoughts?

[baz62]

I met a couple of Korean war veterans at the Papanui RSA who had flown Austers in Korea but they were British (the veterans). You pose an interesting question though Dave I'll make some enquiries.

[davidd]

I seem to recall an article in an Army News about a NZ Army officer who flew Austers in Korea, and was awarded a DFC, although I may be confusing this with a similar NZ Army officer who flew British Army helicopters in Malaya in early 1960s (on exchange duty). I THINK I have a copy of that news article around somewhere - in fact I am now certain that only the helicopter pilot version actually happened! If I can find it I will post again with details. However having just made a quick search in all the obvious places, I cannot locate anything at all, so any further information could be some time in coming.
David D

[agalbraith]

Quite a few NZ'ers flew Austers in the RAF. I was surprised to find out the ones who flew mine, one being very high ranking and retiring back to NZ after his service. Sadly he has passed away but his pilots notes will always stay with his favourite plane....Auster WE552.

Some even flew spotter missions in Malaya and got shot at by terrorists. Threw out the smoke markers and more Kiwis came in in their Venoms and blasted them.

I think there are some quite interesting stories out there of Kiwis flying Austers in the RAF

Cheers
Anthony

[Dave Homewood]

Related, in Malaya there was at least one RAF Whirlwind helicopter operated alongside 1RNZIR there which had a kiwi marking. When my photobucket account comes back online in a week or so, you'll be able to see the photos here:
rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/12063/1rnzir-whirlwind-helicopter

[stukiwi]

The Canadians RCAF operated Austers in Korea and one of their pilots received a Victoria Cross while doing it.

[Dave Homewood]

Very interesting Stu, that sounds like there must be an impressive story attached. Can you tell more please?

[stukiwi]

Actually I did a quick Google search on it and couldn't find anything about it. But as I recall (And I cant remember where I read / heard this) the pilot got it for landing on a battlefield and dragging a wounded soldier to the aircraft and flying him back to the rear. Ill have to did through my books and links to verify it.

[Andy Wright]

I haven't been able to find anything either, Stu, as the the story really intrigued me.

How about this chap?

www.kvacanada.com/stories_cmcdnairmen.htm

In 1952, the Canadian army began sending a string of four Air Observation Post (AOP) pilots to Korea to fly in Auster VI aircraft with the 1903 AOP Flight, RAF. Captain Joe Liston was shot down and captured in August, on his 12th combat mission. He was a POW for one year and was released under Operation BIG SWITCH (the war-end exchange of POWs) in September 1953. His replacement, Captain Peter Tees, was an energetic combatant and achieved 211 combat missions during his 12-month tenure. He supported Canadian artillery units that were, in turn, supporting Canadian infantry units along the Jamestown Line. Two other ACIP pilots followed Tees and achieved some combat flying, although they were substantially used in peacekeeping duties. Tees was the last Canadian to be awarded the Commonwealth DFC.

[stukiwi]

Peter Tees that name does ring a bell. I remember talking to a bunch of RCAF guys when I got my Auster (They were all flying helicopters) and I think we were in the NAS Oceana officers club at the time