J Force question

[Dave Homewood]

I have placed this into the NZDF section as it refers to both postwar RNZAF and NZ Army.

When were the last contingents or reinforcements sent to Japan from New Zealand as part of J Force?

Were they sending men still as late as 1951 to either the Army or RNZAF there? I have a reference to several Cambridge men being farewelled to J Force in July 1951, including a G.E. Watson who was a driver and allegedly RNZAF.

At that time K Force was in Korea, did we retain a military presence in Japan then too?

[davidd]

Dave,
Have extracted following notes from my chronology of the postwar RNZAF, which shows details of the various return flights made by 41, then 40 Squadron Hastings to Japan in support of J-Force (or more realistically K-Force as it seems to have become.) As can be sen, this special courier service operated from Aug 1954 till June 1956, but I have an idea that further flights were made to Japan, perhaps until as late as 1957 or 1958; however don't quote me on latter dates! Make of it what you will.
David D

28/8/54; Commencement of new service by 41 Squadron Hastings, New Zealand to Japan via Amberley, Townsville (both Queensland), Momote (Admiralties), Guam (Marianas) and Iwo Jima. Services were: JTF.1, JTF.2, (NZ5801 flown by F/L K B Smith and F/O R G T Isles). (Ref. WP hist, 41 Squadron FAB.) This service inaugurated to convey replacement NZ Army troops for “K” Force in Japan, and to repatriate tour-expired soldiers. This service flown 13 times (others were JTF.3, 4 [departs 2/9]; 5, 6 [departs 12/10]; 7, 8 [26/10 – 5/11]; 9, 10 [14 – 20/12]. 1955: (by now known as 40 Squadron): JTF.1, 2 [4 – 13/1/55]; 3, 4 [4 – 14/4]; 5, 6 [16 – ?/9]. 1956: JTF.1, 2 [10 – 20/1]; 3, 4 [10 – ?/4]; 5, 6 [25/4 – 8/5]; 7, 8 [13 – 24/5]; 9, 10 [7 – 17/6]; 11, 12 [11/6 – 20/6]), when “K” Force withdrawn, by which time approximately 1,000 passengers had been carried. Note: I seem to have 15 services flown here! Obviously requires more work! Unfortunately most 40 Squadron records probably only survive at National Archives and with 40 Squadron – above details extracted from available Flight Auth Books at Wigram. Presume the “JTF” prefix indicated Japan Trooping Flight? An additional Japan service was flown from Changi to Iwakuni, then back to Whenuapai between 27/4 and 7/5/55; this aircraft (NZ5803, F/L T J Danaher and F/O G H S Tosland) was already in Singapore, having just flown members of 14 Squadron from Nicosia to Changi (but with another crew, captain S/L R B Bolt with F/O Bayliss). Whether this particular flight had anything to do with the “K” Force airlift is unknown.

[Dave Homewood]

Very interesting indeed, thanks David.