Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 26, 2013 12:42:32 GMT 12
Richard Jackson, the editor of Air Force News, has kindly sent this article through which he suggested could be posted here if we would like. Too right, thanks Richard!
OUR HERITAGE
NZ Aviators and Korean War
July saw the 60th Anniversary of the Korean Armistice. While New Zealand’s primary contributions to the UN Command were two frigates on station throughout the war, and an Artillery Regiment within the Commonwealth Division, a small number of Kiwi airmen also played a direct part in the conflict.
One consequence of the Korean War was a wide-ranging re-equipment programme for the RNZAF. Vampire jet fighters, Hastings transports and Devon light utility aircraft were purchased, along with Sunderland GR 5 flying boats. In late 1952 RNZAF air and ground crew were sent to the RAF flying boat base at Pembroke Dock, Wales, for familiarisation on the Sunderland.
The RNZAF Armourers
However, the RAF Far East Flying Boat Wing based at Seletar, Singapore, was more appropriate for our Armourers. Malaya and Singapore were then an operational theatre, due to the Malayan Emergency. SGT George Holmstead and F/S Bill Thompson were attached the Flying Boat Wing for training and the two Kiwis flew in Sunderlands on missions dropping 20lb anti-personnel bombs into the jungle areas occupied by communist terrorists.
The RAF Wing was also contributing aircraft to the Korean War, to a UN Reconnaissance Wing based in Japan, alongside US Navy Martin Mariners. Bill and George had completed their planned familiarisation, but were still on the Wing’s strength in March 1953. Their return transport to NZ was delayed so the RAF rostered them on to the next crew bound for Japan. Their flying boat deployed north via Hong Kong and arrived in wintry conditions.
“It was colder than I could ever remember. We wore everything we could lay our hands on—cold weather flying suits, submarine jerseys and even tramping shirts” George told Air Force News in 2001. “It was cold on the ground, when we climbed to 12,000 feet it was bitter. Being gunners we were up in the turret standing on a steel floor, stamping our feet so we wouldn’t become frozen to the steel plate.”
“We’d leave Iwa Kuni [their Japanese base] at 10pm and fly over the Yellow Sea just above the waves to avoid radar detection. Once in Korean air space we would climb to 12,000 feet, but maintain radio silence because of the risk of an encounter with enemy MiGs. At dawn you could see the smoke and dust of the front line. We carried depth charges and in daylight we were on the lookout for submarines. We also took photos of shipping heading for Chinese or Korean ports.”
As the Sunderland finished their patrols, George recalled, they would usually see the first of the daytime air strikes going in to catch any enemy transport out in the open.
The Sunderland crew finished their four-week deployment and SGT Holmstead returned to New Zealand—via Venice! Both he and F/S Thompson went on to have long careers in the RNZAF.
Kiwis with Allied air forces
The Commonwealth nations in 1950 shared a notably integrated defence effort, both in terms of strategy and through their institutions. Memories were fresh of the contributions by Commonwealth personnel to both the RAF and the Royal Navy. To move between Commonwealth forces was not unusual; ability was the key factor, not nationality (we were all ‘British subjects’). In fact from 1947 the RAF had been accepting New Zealanders back into the post-war RAF.
One was FLTLT Roy Le Long, born in Auckland and a pilot in the RNZAF from January 1942 to June 1947. He had flown Mosquitoes, destroyed seven enemy aircraft and won the DFC and Bar. In 1947 Roy transferred to the RAF.
He was on exchange to the US 5th Air Force during the Korean War, flying F-86 Sabres. His unit was deployed to Korea where the F-86 was the only fighter that could match the Soviet-supplied (and manned) Mig15s. Roy Le Long, was awarded the US Air Medal on 30 October 1953 in recognition of his ‘valuable services rendered during operations in Korea’.
Of note, when the MiG 15s joined the conflict, the (nominally North Korean) jet fighters threatened to gain air superiority over the UN forces. The F-86 was hastily deployed and in a long campaign the American Sabres gained the upper hand. Ultimately, the UN’s air superiority proved influential in bringing the truce talks to a conclusion.
Another Kiwi in the RAF was John Gard'ner. He was sent on exchange to the US Marine Corps and served in Korea in Douglas F3D Skyknight night fighters.
Similarly, New Zealanders served in the RAAF. Vance Drummond from Hamilton entered the RNZAF in 1944 and earned his Air Navigator’s badge in August 1945. But the War had ended, so he was placed in Reserve. Instead, he volunteered for J Force, serving in Japan until 1948.
On his return he had moved to Australia and was accepted into the RAAF as a trainee pilot; he gained his Wings in 1951. He was posted to No.77 Sqn RAAF, which was committed to the Korean War under UN Command.
The Squadron flew Gloster Meteor jets—which were inferior to the MiG 15. Drummond flew some 50 sorties but was shot down by a MiG-15 on 1 December 1951, near Pyongyang. He spent the rest of the war as a Prisoner of War.
One former New Zealander in the RAAF was Lionel Cowper, who was born in Auckland. His family had moved to Melbourne so he joined the RAAF and earned his Wings. In January 1952 he joined No. 77 Sqn; however, Cowper was killed on operations on 30 March 1952. He is remembered on the United Nations Memorial to the Missing, Pusan, South Korea.
Fleet Air Arm
The other air service that readily accepted Kiwis was the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. The British naval contribution to the Korean War included a light fleet carrier, with Air Groups of Sea Fury fighters and Firefly strike aircraft.
Lieutenant (A) Roy Hooker had joined the RNZNVR during WWII under Scheme F and flew Hellcat fighters in No.800 Naval Air Squadron. In 1950 he was one of over 20 New Zealanders who were approached by the RN to accept Short Service Commissions in the RN and rejoin the FAA.
Hooker was given a passage to the UK and converted on to Dragonfly helicopters (the Sikorsky S51). After operating from Malta he joined HMS OCEAN’s air group and undertook a combat tour off Korea in 1953, one of OCEAN’s two plane-guard helicopter pilots. .
Less fortunate was Lieutenant (A) Cedric MacPherson from Dargaville. He had joined the RNZAF during WWII, earned his Wings in March 1944 and embarked for Britain that July. But during 1945, as the RAF reduced its numbers, Cedric transferred to the Fleet Air Arm and trained on fighters. He returned to New Zealand, then, like Roy Hooker, was offered a Short Service Commission if he returned to flying for the Korean War.
Cedric was flown to the UK in October 1951 and underwent refresher training. In September 1952 he joined No.801 NAS, flying Sea Furies from HMS GLORY. Cedric was killed on air operations on 11 February 1953. He also is remembered on the United Nations Memorial to the Missing, Pusan, South Korea.
There maybe more Kiwis with similar stories; Air Force News would be pleased to hear of them.
-------------------------------
Sources: 68wds
By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999.
Colin Hanson, Christchurch: Volplane Press, 2001
For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Three: Biographies & Appendices)
Errol Martyn, Christchurch: Volplane Press, 2008.
Navy Today 141 March 09
Website: Wings over New Zealand [http://rnzaf.proboards.com].
----------------------------------------------------
OUR HERITAGE
NZ Aviators and Korean War
July saw the 60th Anniversary of the Korean Armistice. While New Zealand’s primary contributions to the UN Command were two frigates on station throughout the war, and an Artillery Regiment within the Commonwealth Division, a small number of Kiwi airmen also played a direct part in the conflict.
One consequence of the Korean War was a wide-ranging re-equipment programme for the RNZAF. Vampire jet fighters, Hastings transports and Devon light utility aircraft were purchased, along with Sunderland GR 5 flying boats. In late 1952 RNZAF air and ground crew were sent to the RAF flying boat base at Pembroke Dock, Wales, for familiarisation on the Sunderland.
The RNZAF Armourers
However, the RAF Far East Flying Boat Wing based at Seletar, Singapore, was more appropriate for our Armourers. Malaya and Singapore were then an operational theatre, due to the Malayan Emergency. SGT George Holmstead and F/S Bill Thompson were attached the Flying Boat Wing for training and the two Kiwis flew in Sunderlands on missions dropping 20lb anti-personnel bombs into the jungle areas occupied by communist terrorists.
The RAF Wing was also contributing aircraft to the Korean War, to a UN Reconnaissance Wing based in Japan, alongside US Navy Martin Mariners. Bill and George had completed their planned familiarisation, but were still on the Wing’s strength in March 1953. Their return transport to NZ was delayed so the RAF rostered them on to the next crew bound for Japan. Their flying boat deployed north via Hong Kong and arrived in wintry conditions.
“It was colder than I could ever remember. We wore everything we could lay our hands on—cold weather flying suits, submarine jerseys and even tramping shirts” George told Air Force News in 2001. “It was cold on the ground, when we climbed to 12,000 feet it was bitter. Being gunners we were up in the turret standing on a steel floor, stamping our feet so we wouldn’t become frozen to the steel plate.”
“We’d leave Iwa Kuni [their Japanese base] at 10pm and fly over the Yellow Sea just above the waves to avoid radar detection. Once in Korean air space we would climb to 12,000 feet, but maintain radio silence because of the risk of an encounter with enemy MiGs. At dawn you could see the smoke and dust of the front line. We carried depth charges and in daylight we were on the lookout for submarines. We also took photos of shipping heading for Chinese or Korean ports.”
As the Sunderland finished their patrols, George recalled, they would usually see the first of the daytime air strikes going in to catch any enemy transport out in the open.
The Sunderland crew finished their four-week deployment and SGT Holmstead returned to New Zealand—via Venice! Both he and F/S Thompson went on to have long careers in the RNZAF.
Kiwis with Allied air forces
The Commonwealth nations in 1950 shared a notably integrated defence effort, both in terms of strategy and through their institutions. Memories were fresh of the contributions by Commonwealth personnel to both the RAF and the Royal Navy. To move between Commonwealth forces was not unusual; ability was the key factor, not nationality (we were all ‘British subjects’). In fact from 1947 the RAF had been accepting New Zealanders back into the post-war RAF.
One was FLTLT Roy Le Long, born in Auckland and a pilot in the RNZAF from January 1942 to June 1947. He had flown Mosquitoes, destroyed seven enemy aircraft and won the DFC and Bar. In 1947 Roy transferred to the RAF.
He was on exchange to the US 5th Air Force during the Korean War, flying F-86 Sabres. His unit was deployed to Korea where the F-86 was the only fighter that could match the Soviet-supplied (and manned) Mig15s. Roy Le Long, was awarded the US Air Medal on 30 October 1953 in recognition of his ‘valuable services rendered during operations in Korea’.
Of note, when the MiG 15s joined the conflict, the (nominally North Korean) jet fighters threatened to gain air superiority over the UN forces. The F-86 was hastily deployed and in a long campaign the American Sabres gained the upper hand. Ultimately, the UN’s air superiority proved influential in bringing the truce talks to a conclusion.
Another Kiwi in the RAF was John Gard'ner. He was sent on exchange to the US Marine Corps and served in Korea in Douglas F3D Skyknight night fighters.
Similarly, New Zealanders served in the RAAF. Vance Drummond from Hamilton entered the RNZAF in 1944 and earned his Air Navigator’s badge in August 1945. But the War had ended, so he was placed in Reserve. Instead, he volunteered for J Force, serving in Japan until 1948.
On his return he had moved to Australia and was accepted into the RAAF as a trainee pilot; he gained his Wings in 1951. He was posted to No.77 Sqn RAAF, which was committed to the Korean War under UN Command.
The Squadron flew Gloster Meteor jets—which were inferior to the MiG 15. Drummond flew some 50 sorties but was shot down by a MiG-15 on 1 December 1951, near Pyongyang. He spent the rest of the war as a Prisoner of War.
One former New Zealander in the RAAF was Lionel Cowper, who was born in Auckland. His family had moved to Melbourne so he joined the RAAF and earned his Wings. In January 1952 he joined No. 77 Sqn; however, Cowper was killed on operations on 30 March 1952. He is remembered on the United Nations Memorial to the Missing, Pusan, South Korea.
Fleet Air Arm
The other air service that readily accepted Kiwis was the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. The British naval contribution to the Korean War included a light fleet carrier, with Air Groups of Sea Fury fighters and Firefly strike aircraft.
Lieutenant (A) Roy Hooker had joined the RNZNVR during WWII under Scheme F and flew Hellcat fighters in No.800 Naval Air Squadron. In 1950 he was one of over 20 New Zealanders who were approached by the RN to accept Short Service Commissions in the RN and rejoin the FAA.
Hooker was given a passage to the UK and converted on to Dragonfly helicopters (the Sikorsky S51). After operating from Malta he joined HMS OCEAN’s air group and undertook a combat tour off Korea in 1953, one of OCEAN’s two plane-guard helicopter pilots. .
Less fortunate was Lieutenant (A) Cedric MacPherson from Dargaville. He had joined the RNZAF during WWII, earned his Wings in March 1944 and embarked for Britain that July. But during 1945, as the RAF reduced its numbers, Cedric transferred to the Fleet Air Arm and trained on fighters. He returned to New Zealand, then, like Roy Hooker, was offered a Short Service Commission if he returned to flying for the Korean War.
Cedric was flown to the UK in October 1951 and underwent refresher training. In September 1952 he joined No.801 NAS, flying Sea Furies from HMS GLORY. Cedric was killed on air operations on 11 February 1953. He also is remembered on the United Nations Memorial to the Missing, Pusan, South Korea.
There maybe more Kiwis with similar stories; Air Force News would be pleased to hear of them.
-------------------------------
Sources: 68wds
By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999.
Colin Hanson, Christchurch: Volplane Press, 2001
For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Three: Biographies & Appendices)
Errol Martyn, Christchurch: Volplane Press, 2008.
Navy Today 141 March 09
Website: Wings over New Zealand [http://rnzaf.proboards.com].
----------------------------------------------------
