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Post by Dave Homewood on May 24, 2016 15:20:49 GMT 12
Several different air attacks were made on the German battleship Tirpitz in WWII. I was thinking, there must have been a number of kiwis involved. Here's the ones I know, can you add more?
20/21 July 1940 - Kiel docks RAF Bomber Command - Hampdens Flt Lt Alexander Gould
8/9 October 1940 Wilhelmshaven dry dock RAF Bomber Command - 17 Hampden Sergeant Peter McLaren NZ391862 (Air Gunner in Hampden L4154 of No. 44 Squadron)
8/9 January 1941 - Wilhelmshaven RAF Bomber Command - Total of 32 Wellington, Whitley and Hampden Any Kiwis?
29/30 January 1941 - Wilhelmshaven RAF Bomber Command - 25 Wellington medium bombers, 9 Hampden Any Kiwis?
28 February/1 March 1941 - Wilhelmshaven RAF Bomber Command - Total of 116 Blenheim, Hampden, Wellington and Whitley Any Kiwis?
28/29 May 1941 - Kiel RAF Bomber Command - 14 Whitley medium bombers Any Kiwis?
20/21 June 1941 - Kiel RAF Bomber Command - 47 Wellington, 24 Hampden, 20 Whitley, 13 Stirlings, 11 Halifax heavy bombers Sergeant Pilot Gordon Jillett (Pilot, Wellington IC R1339) Killed Sergeant Mason Fraser (Pilot, Wellington IC R1713) Killed Sergeant Desmond Dacre, (Air Observer, Wellington IC R1713)
28/29 January 1942 - Åsenfjorden Royal Air Force 9 Halifax bombers, 7 Stirling bombers Any Kiwis?
9 March 1942 - At sea off the Lofoten islands HMS Victorious 12 Albacore torpedo bombers - Attacked during the Operation Sportpalast Any Kiwis?
30/31 March 1942 - Fættenfjord Royal Air Force 33 Halifaxes - Most aircraft unable to locate the target area Flying Officer Neil Ralph Blunden (Halifax II W1044 of No. 10 Squadron) Leslie Plimmer Russel NZ40209, (Air Gunner, Halifax R9489 of No. 35 Squadron) Rowland John 'Jack' Dempsey (Co-pilot, Halifax W1039 ZA-C, No. 10 Squadron) Did not locate target
27/28 April 1942 - Fættenfjord Royal Air Force 31 Halifaxes, 12 Lancasters Warrant Officer Keith Gregory(Second pilot, Halifax, No. 10 Squadron) Leslie Plimmer Russel NZ40209, (Air Gunner, Halifax W7567 of No. 35 Squadron) Rowland John 'Jack' Dempsey (Co-pilot, Halifax W1039 ZA-C, No. 10 Squadron)
28/29 April 1942 - Fættenfjord Royal Air Force 23 Halifaxes, 11 Lancasters Flt Sgt Arthur Smith (Wireless Operator, Halifax II W7656, No. 35 Squadron) Rowland John 'Jack' Dempsey (Co-pilot, Halifax W1054 ZA-H, No. 10 Squadron)
31 October 1942 - Trondheimsfjord Royal Navy 2 Chariot manned torpedoes Operation Title Any Kiwis?
22 September 1943 Kaafjord Royal Navy 4 X Craft midget submarines Any Kiwis?
10/11 February 1944 Kaafjord Soviet Air Forces 15 aircraft I guess no Kiwis?
3 April 1944 Kaafjord Home Fleet 40 Barracuda dive bombers, 80 fighters Operation Tungsten Ray Richards - Corsairs, No. 1836 Squadron, HMS Victorious Ben Heffer - Corsairs, No. 1833 Squadron, HMS Illustrious Bob Glading - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Don McLisky - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Derek Morten - Corsairs, No. 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable George Rawstron - Corsairs, HMS Victorious
17 July 1944 Kaafjord Home Fleet 44 Barracuda dive bombers, 40 fighters Operation Mascot Lieutenant-Commander (A) Archibald Richardson, No. 1840 Squadron, HMS Indefatigable (Killed)
22 August 1944 (am) Kaafjord Home Fleet 44 Barracuda dive bombers, 53 fighters Operation Goodwood Lieutenant (A) Gledhill Sub-Lieutenant Farrer HMS Victorious Lieutenant (A) Armitage,senior observer, No. 830 Squadron, HMS Furious Lieutenant (A) Emerson, senior pilot of No. 827 Squadron Sub-Lieutenant L. J. Ryan HMS Victorious Sub-Lieutenant (A) Perrett, HMS Pursuer Ray Richards - Corsairs, No. 1836 Squadron, HMS Victorious Ben Heffer - Corsairs, No. 1833 Squadron, HMS Illustrious Bob Glading - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Don McLisky - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Derek Morten - Corsairs, No. 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable George Rawstron - Corsairs, HMS Victorious
22 August 1944 (pm) Kaafjord Home Fleet 14 fighters None None Operation Goodwood Ray Richards - Corsairs, No. 1836 Squadron, HMS Victorious Ben Heffer - Corsairs, No. 1833 Squadron, HMS Illustrious Bob Glading - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Don McLisky - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Derek Morten - Corsairs, No. 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable George Rawstron - Corsairs, HMS Victorious
24 August 1944 Kaafjord Home Fleet 33 Barracuda dive bombers, 44 fighters Operation Goodwood Ray Richards - Corsairs, No. 1836 Squadron, HMS Victorious Ben Heffer - Corsairs, No. 1833 Squadron, HMS Illustrious Bob Glading - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Don McLisky - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Derek Morten - Corsairs, No. 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable George Rawstron - Corsairs, HMS Victorious
29 August 1944 Kaafjord Home Fleet 26 Barracuda dive bombers, 41 fighters Operation Goodwood Ray Richards - Corsairs, No. 1836 Squadron, HMS Victorious Ben Heffer - Corsairs, No. 1833 Squadron, HMS Illustrious Bob Glading - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Don McLisky - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Derek Morten - Corsairs, No. 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable George Rawstron - Corsairs, HMS Victorious
11 September 1944 Kaafjord No. 9 Squadron RAF, No. 617 Squadron RAF 28 Lancaster Operation Paravane Flying Officer Bruce Hosie (Lancaster DV391) - No. 617 Squadron RAF
29 October 1944 Tromsø No. 9 Squadron RAF, No. 617 Squadron RAF 38 Lancaster Operation Obviate Flight Lieutenant Bernard A. Gumbley (Pilot, Lancaster DV380) - No. 617 Squadron RAF Flying Officer Arthur William Joplin (Pilot, Lancaster ME561) - No. 617 Squadron RAF F/Sgt Loftus Hebbard (Lancaster ME561) - No. 617 Squadron RAF Flt/Sgt Peter Ernest Campbell (Navigator? Lancaster NG252) No. 9 Squadron RAF
12 November 1944 Tromsø No. 9 Squadron RAF, No. 617 Squadron RAF 32 Lancaster Operation Catechism (SUNK!!) Flight Lieutenant Bernard A. Gumbley (Pilot, Lancaster DV405) - No. 617 Squadron RAF Flying Officer Arthur William Joplin (Pilot, Lancaster ME561) - No. 617 Squadron RAF F/Sgt Loftus Hebbard (Lancaster ME561) - No. 617 Squadron RAF Flying Officer Mervyn Leslie Thomas Harper RNZAF (Lancaster NN722) No. 9 Squadron RAF Flying Officer David Arthur Coster RNZAF (Lancaster LM448) No. 9 Squadron RAF Flt/Sgt James Henderson Boag - No. 9 Squadron RAF Flt/Sgt Clifford William Black (later Warrant Officer) - No. 9 Squadron RAF
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 24, 2016 15:25:03 GMT 12
I'm not certain if Ray Richards, Ben Heffer, Bob Glading, Don McLisky, Derek Morten and George Rawstron each flew in each and all the Goodwood attacks, but they were all flying from the carriers during that operation, I'll try and ascertain more accuracy there if I can. They may also have all been in the Mascot attack too, I just cannot recall any of them mentioning that one. There were other kiwis on the carriers that were in these operations too. I think Glen McBride was also with them on these raids.
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waynem
Pilot Officer
Posts: 46
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Post by waynem on May 24, 2016 17:13:59 GMT 12
Hi Dave, I have in my notes a comment for 12 November 1944 that has Flying Officer M.L.T.Harper RNZAF and crew in Lancaster NN722 to attack the Tirpitz. Also Flying Officer D.A.Coster RNZAF and crew in Lancaster LM448. Two others of this crew were kiwi's, Flt/Sgt J. H. Boag and Flt/Sgt C. W. Black. All of 9 squadron. I'll keep looking Wayne.
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Post by nuuumannn on May 24, 2016 18:21:28 GMT 12
Hi Dave, I've been preparing an article on this for years and haven't gotten very far, but I can list some of the Bomber Command crews who took part in the early raids, but it'll have to wait until I get home from work tonight.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 24, 2016 18:41:49 GMT 12
Thanks chaps. I'll add those names to the list above Wayne.
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Post by errolmartyn on May 24, 2016 19:49:46 GMT 12
Hi Dave, I have in my notes a comment for 12 November 1944 that has Flying Officer M.L.T.Harper RNZAF and crew in Lancaster NN722 to attack the Tirpitz. Also Flying Officer D.A.Coster RNZAF and crew in Lancaster LM448. Two others of this crew were kiwi's, Flt/Sgt J. H. Boag and Flt/Sgt C. W. Black. All of 9 squadron. I'll keep looking Wayne. From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999: HARPER, Flying Officer Mervyn Leslie Thomas, DFC. NZ426172 & 131469; Born Invercargill, 19 Nov 1919; RNZAF 30 May 1942 to 21 Dec 1945, Res. to 19 Nov 1974; Pilot. Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (16 Nov 1945): [9 Sqn RAF (Lancaster)] This officer has completed a tour of operational duty during which he participated in attacks against many of the enemy’s most heavily defended targets including the German battleship TIRPITZ. On one occasion following an attack against Bergen in January 1945, when his aircraft was engaged by two Focke Wulf 190s, Flying Officer Harper displayed such fine airmanship that the enemy fighters were unable to press home their attacks and one of the hostile aircraft was badly damaged by the accurate fire from his gunners. Flying Officer Harper has, at all times, displayed a fine fighting spirit, outstanding leadership, courage and devotion to duty. Died Hamilton, 3 May 1979. Notes on the following made by Colin Hanson and me: COSTER, Flying Officer David Arthur. (Interned) NZ426166. Born Invercargill, 13 Jul 1918. RNZAF 30 May 1942 to 5 May 1946. Pilot. On 12 Nov 1944 a combined 9 Sqn - 617 Sqn operation was mounted against the German battleship Tirpitz, moored near Tromsš. Norway. On the return flight Fg Off Coster's aircraft, a Lancaster of 9 Sqn, force-landed at 1311 hrs at Vandnasberget, nr Kalix, a small town approximately 10 km NNW from the coastal town of Karlsburg, Sweden, with the crew being interned. This was Fg Off Coster's 22 nd sortie. Repatriated to UK 24 Nov 1944. Re-posted to 9 Sqn with the crew continuing their operations until the end of the war. Crewed with C W Black and J H Boag. Died Wellington 14 March 1987. BLACK, Warrant Officer Clifford William. (Interned) NZ4213145. Born New Plymouth, 6 Aug 1922. RNZAF 23 Oct 1942 to 30 Dec 1945. Navigator . . . . Repatriated to UK 23 Nov 1944. Crewed with D A Carter and J H Boag. Safe 1 PHU Morecambe 23 Nov 1944. Re-posted to 9 Sqn wef 18 Dec 1944 with the crew continuing their operations until the end of the war. BOAG, Warrant Officer James Henderson. (Interned) NZ422099. Born Christchurch, 16 Nov 1922. RNZAF 19 Mar 1942 to 24 Sep 1946. Air Bomber. . . . Repatriated to UK 23 Nov 1944. Crewed with D A Carter and C W Black. Reposted to 9 Sqn on 18 Dec 1944 with the crew continuing their operations until the end of the war. More about Coster and his crew can be found in Making for Sweden: Part 1. The Royal Air Force by Bo Widfeldt, pub in 2004. Errol
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Post by errolmartyn on May 24, 2016 19:57:53 GMT 12
Several different air attacks were made on the German battleship Tirpitz in WWII. I was thinking, there must have been a number of kiwis involved. Here's the ones I know, can you add more? October 1940 Wilhelmshaven dry dock RAF Bomber Command - 17 Hampden Any Kiwis?8/9 January 1941 - Wilhelmshaven RAF Bomber Command - Total of 32 Wellington, Whitley and Hampden Any Kiwis?29/30 January 1941 - Wilhelmshaven RAF Bomber Command - 25 Wellington medium bombers, 9 Hampden Any Kiwis?28 February/1 March 1941 - Wilhelmshaven RAF Bomber Command - Total of 116 Blenheim, Hampden, Wellington and Whitley Any Kiwis?28/29 May 1941 - Kiel RAF Bomber Command - 14 Whitley medium bombers Any Kiwis?20/21 June 1941 - Kiel RAF Bomber Command - 47 Wellington, 24 Hampden, 20 Whitley, 13 Stirlings, 11 Halifax heavy bombers Any Kiwis?28/29 January 1942 - Åsenfjorden Royal Air Force 9 Halifax bombers, 7 Stirling bombers Any Kiwis?9 March 1942 - At sea off the Lofoten islands HMS Victorious 12 Albacore torpedo bombers - Attacked during the Operation Sportpalast Any Kiwis?30/31 March 1942 - Fættenfjord Royal Air Force 33 Halifaxes - Most aircraft unable to locate the target area Any Kiwis?27/28 April 1942 - Fættenfjord Royal Air Force 31 Halifaxes, 12 Lancasters Any Kiwis?28/29 April 1942 - Fættenfjord Royal Air Force 23 Halifaxes, 11 Lancasters Any Kiwis?31 October 1942 - Trondheimsfjord Royal Navy 2 Chariot manned torpedoes Operation TitleAny Kiwis?22 September 1943 Kaafjord Royal Navy 4 X Craft midget submarines Any Kiwis?10/11 February 1944 Kaafjord Soviet Air Forces 15 aircraft I guess no Kiwis?3 April 1944 Kaafjord Home Fleet 40 Barracuda dive bombers, 80 fighters Operation Tungsten Ray Richards - Corsairs, No. 1836 Squadron, HMS Victorious Ben Heffer - Corsairs, No. 1833 Squadron, HMS Illustrious Bob Glading - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Don McLisky - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Derek Morten - Corsairs, No. 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable George Rawstron - Corsairs, HMS Victorious 17 July 1944 Kaafjord Home Fleet 44 Barracuda dive bombers, 40 fighters Operation Mascot Lieutenant-Commander (A) Archibald Richardson, No. 1840 Squadron, HMS Indefatigable (Killed)22 August 1944 (am) Kaafjord Home Fleet 44 Barracuda dive bombers, 53 fighters Operation GoodwoodLieutenant (A) Gledhill Sub-Lieutenant Farrer HMS Victorious Lieutenant (A) Armitage,senior observer, No. 830 Squadron, HMS Furious Lieutenant (A) Emerson, senior pilot of No. 827 Squadron Sub-Lieutenant L. J. Ryan HMS Victorious Sub-Lieutenant (A) Perrett, HMS Pursuer Ray Richards - Corsairs, No. 1836 Squadron, HMS Victorious Ben Heffer - Corsairs, No. 1833 Squadron, HMS Illustrious Bob Glading - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Don McLisky - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Derek Morten - Corsairs, No. 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable George Rawstron - Corsairs, HMS Victorious 22 August 1944 (pm) Kaafjord Home Fleet 14 fighters None None Operation Goodwood Ray Richards - Corsairs, No. 1836 Squadron, HMS Victorious Ben Heffer - Corsairs, No. 1833 Squadron, HMS Illustrious Bob Glading - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Don McLisky - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Derek Morten - Corsairs, No. 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable George Rawstron - Corsairs, HMS Victorious 24 August 1944 Kaafjord Home Fleet 33 Barracuda dive bombers, 44 fighters Operation GoodwoodRay Richards - Corsairs, No. 1836 Squadron, HMS Victorious Ben Heffer - Corsairs, No. 1833 Squadron, HMS Illustrious Bob Glading - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Don McLisky - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Derek Morten - Corsairs, No. 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable George Rawstron - Corsairs, HMS Victorious 29 August 1944 Kaafjord Home Fleet 26 Barracuda dive bombers, 41 fighters Operation GoodwoodRay Richards - Corsairs, No. 1836 Squadron, HMS Victorious Ben Heffer - Corsairs, No. 1833 Squadron, HMS Illustrious Bob Glading - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Don McLisky - Corsairs, No. 1842 Squadron, HMS Formidable Derek Morten - Corsairs, No. 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable George Rawstron - Corsairs, HMS Victorious 11 September 1944 Kaafjord No. 9 Squadron RAF, No. 617 Squadron RAF 28 Lancaster Operation ParavaneFlying Officer Bruce Hosie (Lancaster DV391) - No. 617 Squadron RAF29 October 1944 Tromsø No. 9 Squadron RAF, No. 617 Squadron RAF 38 Lancaster Operation Obviate Flight Lieutenant Bernard A. Gumbley (Pilot, Lancaster DV380) - No. 617 Squadron RAF Flying Officer Arthur W. Joplin (Pilot, Lancaster ME561) - No. 617 Squadron RAF F/Sgt L. Hebbard (Lancaster ME561) - No. 617 Squadron RAF12 November 1944 Tromsø No. 9 Squadron RAF, No. 617 Squadron RAF 32 Lancaster Operation Catechism (SUNK!!)Flight Lieutenant Bernard A. Gumbley (Pilot, Lancaster DV405) - No. 617 Squadron RAF Flying Officer Arthur W. Joplin (Pilot, Lancaster ME561) - No. 617 Squadron RAF F/Sgt L. Hebbard (Lancaster ME561) - No. 617 Squadron RAF Flying Officer M.L.T.Harper RNZAF (Lancaster NN722) No. 9 Squadron RAF Flying Officer D.A.Coster RNZAF (Lancaster LM448) No. 9 Squadron RAF Flt/Sgt J. H. Boag - No. 9 Squadron RAF Flt/Sgt Clifford William Black (later Warrant Officer) - No. 9 Squadron RAF
Bio info on Richardson, Farrer, Hosie and Gumbley can be found in my 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) Hebbard and Joplin were: NZ427280 Loftus Hebbard NZ424044 Arthur William Joplin Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 24, 2016 20:21:59 GMT 12
Thanks Errol.
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waynem
Pilot Officer
Posts: 46
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Post by waynem on May 24, 2016 22:55:18 GMT 12
Hi again Dave,
29 October 1944. Lancaster NG252. In F/O K. S. Arndell's crew was Flt/Sgt P. E. Campbell RNZAF. Flt/Sgt Campbell may have been the Navigator. Again 9 squadron, from the O.R.B. Cheers, Wayne.
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Post by errolmartyn on May 24, 2016 23:32:24 GMT 12
Hi again Dave, 29 October 1944. Lancaster NG252. In F/O K. S. Arndell's crew was Flt/Sgt P. E. Campbell RNZAF. Flt/Sgt Campbell may have been the Navigator. Again 9 squadron, from the O.R.B. Cheers, Wayne. NZ4210984 Peter Ernest Campbell (later commissioned). Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 25, 2016 1:28:57 GMT 12
Wow, an interesting snippet here from a Daily Telegraph obituary reveals the USAAF were keen to launch an attack on the Tirpitz with B-17 Flying Fortresses. That would have been as much a waste of time as sending Wellingtons, Whitleys and Blenheims to attack it. None of them could hold a bomb load big enough over the range flown to penetrate the Tirpitz's armour. "Lt Cdr Freddie Martin, who has died aged 95, was liaison officer with the United States 8th Air Corps and helped in 1943 to plan the US raid on the German battleship Tirpitz, which was holed up in the Norwegian fjords. The Americans were keen to have the opportunity to destroy such an important target, and were planning a mass attack in daylight using Flying Fortresses. Martin’s American general was concerned, however, that the Mid-West farm boys who made up his crews would unload their bombs on the British Home Fleet by mistake, and ordered Martin to fly in the first aircraft. When Martin, a mere sub-lieutenant, learnt that the raid was to take place at 25,000ft, he hastened to point out that in the Fleet Air Arm he had rarely flown over 2,500ft, and he was sent for by the general. He told him: “Son, you will be in the lead aircraft, and if you say 'bomb’ then they will all go down. Should we inadvertently send the King George V to the bottom, your involvement will change what would be an international incident into a national disaster, which might just save my bacon.” Martin thought it fortunate that the raid never took place."
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Post by nuuumannn on May 25, 2016 14:32:08 GMT 12
Text from my unfinished article...
"Not surprisingly, the Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys, Handley Page Hampdens and Vickers Wellingtons dropping 250 lb and 500 lb General Purpose bombs were largely ineffectual against the heavily armoured vessel. It was during these early raids on Kiel that New Zealanders engaged the ship for the first time. Piloting a 5 Group, Bomber Command Hampden at mast height over the target area on the night of 20th/21st July 1940, Flt Lt Alexander Gould of Wanganui later received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his daring attack on the ship, but his aircraft was shot down and he, along with surviving crew members were captured and became Prisoners of War.
Almost a year later the first New Zealand casualties were recorded in attacks against the Tirpitz. On Friday night, 20th June 1941, 115 aircraft took off for another raid against the big ships at Kiel, considered to be one of the most heavily defended targets in the Reich – with the exception of Berlin. With many similarities between them and their circumstances, two aircraft did not return the next morning. Both were Wellington ICs of 218 Sqn, 3 Group based at RAF Marham, Norfolk, and both were captained by New Zealanders.
23 year old Sergeant Pilot Gordon Jillett of New Plymouth was captain of Wellington IC R1339; the last heard from the aircraft and its six crew was a distress call just after 3:30 am on Saturday morning 21 June. The crew of Wellington IC R1713, piloted by Sgt Mason Fraser, also 23, of Napier, also disappeared after calling for help that night. Sgt Desmond Dacre, 26 years old of Auckland was Observer aboard R1713. Like R1339, the latter aircraft disappeared without trace."
"One of the missing aircraft was Halifax II W1044 of 10 Sqn, piloted by 26 year old New Zealander Fg Off Neil Blunden, uncle to Sir Tim Wallis. His aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire, crashing offshore into Hemnefiord. Of the seven crew there were no survivors.
A month later on 27 April a second raid featuring No’s 10, 35 and 76 Sqns’ Halifaxes, this time joined by Lancasters of No’s 44 and 97 Sqns was carried out, again with the Halifaxes carrying the worthless mines. As with the March raid, there was no significant damage to any of the ships; four Halifaxes and one Lancaster were brought down by the AA defences. New Zealander Warrant Officer Keith Gregory was acting as second pilot aboard a 10 Sqn Halifax that was shot down by Prinz Eugen’s AA fire. Happily Gregory survived the war, although he very nearly froze when his aircraft plunged into the icy cold Ǻsen Fiord, having suffered a few bumps and scrapes on impact with the water. Gregory and four survivors were quickly rescued and became POWs.
The very next night saw a repeat of the previous raids; no damage to the ship, but losses to the 34 strong bomber force – two 35 Sqn Halifaxes. Struck by flak 4,000 feet over the fiord, Halifax II W7656 hit the water at high speed near Wilkhamer; its nose breaking off resulting in the aircraft sinking rapidly. Four men escaped the sinking bomber; one of those that did not was 23 year old New Zealander Flt Sgt Arthur Smith, the aircraft’s wireless operator."
Just as an aside, on the 27 April 1942 raid, the day W/O Gregory's aircraft was brought down, the Halifax in the RAF Museum, W1048 was also shot down and landed in Lake Hocklingen, to be found again in 1971 by RAF divers. It was raised two years later.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 25, 2016 16:01:46 GMT 12
Thanks very much Grant, I have added those names.
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Post by errolmartyn on May 25, 2016 17:01:03 GMT 12
There is an excellent site here at www.archieraf.co.uk/archie/archie.html covering some of the attacks on the Tirpitz. Compiled by Linzee Duncan of Scotland whose grandfather was one of those lost in one of the raids. Linzee also includes entries from New Zealander Neil Blunden's diaries. Errol
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Post by phasselgren on May 30, 2016 3:59:30 GMT 12
8/9 October 1940 Wilhelmshaven dry dock RAF Bomber Command - 17 Hampden 44Sqn: Sergeant Peter McLaren NZ391862, air gunner in Hampden L4154. During the return to base he shot down an enemy aircraft.
Leslie Plimmer Russel NZ40209 Air gunner in 35 Sqn (Halifax) took part in the operations on both 30/31 March (R9489) and 27/28 April (W7567). During the Battle of Britain he served with 264 Sqn (Defiant) destroying one enemy aircraft plus one damaged adding another destroyed in May 1941.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 30, 2016 10:49:33 GMT 12
Thanks Peter!!
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Post by fergie13 on Oct 13, 2016 19:38:56 GMT 12
Text from my unfinished article... "Not surprisingly, the Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys, Handley Page Hampdens and Vickers Wellingtons dropping 250 lb and 500 lb General Purpose bombs were largely ineffectual against the heavily armoured vessel. It was during these early raids on Kiel that New Zealanders engaged the ship for the first time. Piloting a 5 Group, Bomber Command Hampden at mast height over the target area on the night of 20th/21st July 1940, Flt Lt Alexander Gould of Wanganui later received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his daring attack on the ship, but his aircraft was shot down and he, along with surviving crew members were captured and became Prisoners of War. Almost a year later the first New Zealand casualties were recorded in attacks against the Tirpitz. On Friday night, 20th June 1941, 115 aircraft took off for another raid against the big ships at Kiel, considered to be one of the most heavily defended targets in the Reich – with the exception of Berlin. With many similarities between them and their circumstances, two aircraft did not return the next morning. Both were Wellington ICs of 218 Sqn, 3 Group based at RAF Marham, Norfolk, and both were captained by New Zealanders. 23 year old Sergeant Pilot Gordon Jillett of New Plymouth was captain of Wellington IC R1339; the last heard from the aircraft and its six crew was a distress call just after 3:30 am on Saturday morning 21 June. The crew of Wellington IC R1713, piloted by Sgt Mason Fraser, also 23, of Napier, also disappeared after calling for help that night. Sgt Desmond Dacre, 26 years old of Auckland was Observer aboard R1713. Like R1339, the latter aircraft disappeared without trace." "One of the missing aircraft was Halifax II W1044 of 10 Sqn, piloted by 26 year old New Zealander Fg Off Neil Blunden, uncle to Sir Tim Wallis. His aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire, crashing offshore into Hemnefiord. Of the seven crew there were no survivors. A month later on 27 April a second raid featuring No’s 10, 35 and 76 Sqns’ Halifaxes, this time joined by Lancasters of No’s 44 and 97 Sqns was carried out, again with the Halifaxes carrying the worthless mines. As with the March raid, there was no significant damage to any of the ships; four Halifaxes and one Lancaster were brought down by the AA defences. New Zealander Warrant Officer Keith Gregory was acting as second pilot aboard a 10 Sqn Halifax that was shot down by Prinz Eugen’s AA fire. Happily Gregory survived the war, although he very nearly froze when his aircraft plunged into the icy cold Ǻsen Fiord, having suffered a few bumps and scrapes on impact with the water. Gregory and four survivors were quickly rescued and became POWs. The very next night saw a repeat of the previous raids; no damage to the ship, but losses to the 34 strong bomber force – two 35 Sqn Halifaxes. Struck by flak 4,000 feet over the fiord, Halifax II W7656 hit the water at high speed near Wilkhamer; its nose breaking off resulting in the aircraft sinking rapidly. Four men escaped the sinking bomber; one of those that did not was 23 year old New Zealander Flt Sgt Arthur Smith, the aircraft’s wireless operator." Just as an aside, on the 27 April 1942 raid, the day W/O Gregory's aircraft was brought down, the Halifax in the RAF Museum, W1048 was also shot down and landed in Lake Hocklingen, to be found again in 1971 by RAF divers. It was raised two years later.
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Post by fergie13 on Oct 13, 2016 20:30:44 GMT 12
Hi all. My first post. nuuumannn's post refers to Flt Sgt Arthur Smith as one of the New Zealanders who lost their lives on the Tirpitz raids. It was in fact my uncle, Flt Sgt Arthur William Smith EVANS (NZ402989). Arthur was the radio operator on W7656 TL-P when it was hit by flak and crashed into the Asenfjord near Vikhammer on the night of 28/29 April 1942. He was killed along with Sgt Bernard Columbine RAFVR. The aircraft was discovered in 2014 by a team from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology lying largely intact in 180m of water.
My wife and I are going to Norway in June 2017 to pay our respects to the lost crew members of TL-P, Arthur Evans and Bernard Columbine, along with the other brave airmen who lost their lives in the Tirpitz raids.
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Post by errolmartyn on Oct 13, 2016 21:14:40 GMT 12
Hi all. My first post. nuuumannn's post refers to Flt Sgt Arthur Smith as one of the New Zealanders who lost their lives on the Tirpitz raids. It was in fact my uncle, Flt Sgt Arthur William Smith EVANS (NZ402989). Arthur was the radio operator on W7656 TL-P when it was hit by flak and crashed into the Asenfjord near Vikhammer on the night of 28/29 April 1942. He was killed along with Sgt Bernard Columbine RAFVR. The aircraft was discovered in 2014 by a team from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology lying largely intact in 180m of water. My wife and I are going to Norway in June 2017 to pay our respects to the lost crew members of TL-P, Arthur Evans and Bernard Columbine, along with the other brave airmen who lost their lives in the Tirpitz raids. Hello Fergie, I'm guessing that you will have already been in touch with my Scottish friend and regular visitor to Norway and something of an authority on the attacks against the Tirpitz, Linzee Druce, about your forthcoming visit to Norway. If not please do get in touch with me via a PM for details. Cheers, Errol
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Post by flyinghilly on Dec 21, 2016 21:23:24 GMT 12
I visited Arthur Joplin last week and he mentioned that he had heard that he might be the last pilot still alive that attacked the Tirpitz - does anyone have any information on this. I think 2 of his crew are still alive as well
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