10 SU

[davidd]

Hmmm, rather doubtful about the accuracy of some of those memories. When the US Forces first landed on Emirau in April 1944, they were met by Seventh Day Adventists who claimed there were no Japanese on the island. Other histories merely state that the landings were "unopposed". Not saying that the Japanese were never on Emirau during 1942/43, but if they had been there, seems like they had departed prior to the arrival of the Americans. There is never any mention of the presence, or even suspected presence of any straggling Japanese on Emirau in RNZAF records, including histories of 10 SU and 5 SU, as well as the Bomber and Fighter squadrons there. Is it possible that the grandfather was confused with another 10 SU base, specifically Bougainville? There were plenty of Japanese on that island, perhaps 20,000 or more, even at the end of hostilities. They made two major pushes to eject the Allied forces from the Island, in about March/April 1944, and in early 1945, but both failed. My late father was on Bougainville in early 1945, and his main hobby was butterfly collecting (yes, you heard that right!), which involved solo expeditions into nearby jungle (but all in the heavily defended perimeter), although he once made a trip up to the "front line", all the jungle looked the same. As for cutting off the ears of the enemy, the United States Marines claimed this as one of their cherished traditions, although I think this dated back to some minor war in the Caribbean Sea in the previous century (1800s?); however they revived it at Guadalcanal in 1942! Should be a Wiki article about that (not that they get everything right).
David D

[Dave Homewood]

To be fair, Oliver did state, "My Grandfather was in No 10 SU at Emirau, Guadalcanal and Bouganville" so the Japanese raiding parties were very likely on Bougainville.

The Moroccan Goumiers, or Goums, of the French Army used to collect the ear of their victims and keep them on a necklace or other ways strug about themselves like trophies. New Zealand infantrymen I have spoken with who served alongside the Goums in Italy reckoned they were far more fearful of that lot then the Germans.

[davidd]

Fair comment Dave, but hope my mention of Bougainville a little further on in my post softens somewhat my opening salvo. Looks as though I was rather fixated on Emirau from the start.

On a slightly different subject, thought I would find out more about the alleged USMC tradition of cutting off the ears of slain opponents, but so far have come up with nought. Which is rather interesting as it was widely commented on in New Zealand in 1942/43, I presume based on comments made by the marines themselves. Any other Board members care to comment on this practise? There are entries on Wiki (and others) all about scalping (a very long history) and a little bit about other diabolical practices such as cutting off of human noses (still apparently popular with certain individuals in Afghanistan and other places) and a little bit on ears, but no mention of USMC anywhere I could find. I have absolutely no doubt that they have abandoned this practise totally and perhaps also wish they could disavow any past instances of this too - I would!

David D

[Dave Homewood]

The USMC and possibly the Army were definitely known to cut out the teeth of any Japanese dead. There was some scheme running in the USA where if you sent back Japanese teeth you got money. And of course gold teeth were also valuable for their gold content.

Geoff Fisken told me he shot down an aircraft and saw where it came down, so he went over there after he'd landed as he was interested in getting a close up look at the wreckage, but he was horrified to find US troops there chopping up the pilot with a spade! He was told they were getting souvenirs to send home. He said it was sickening. I suspect a lot of those guys had some sort of combat fatigue or other mental illness to carry on like that.

[baz62]

Nov 17, 2019 11:32:15 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Geoff Fisken told me he shot down an aircraft and saw where it came down, so he went over there after he'd landed as he was interested in getting a close up look at the wreckage, but he was horrified to find US troops there chopping up the pilot with a spade! He was told they were getting souvenirs to send home. He said it was sickening. I suspect a lot of those guys had some sort of combat fatigue or other mental illness to carry on like that.

Big difference fighting on the ground, sometimes hand to hand combat, seeing your buddies killed compared with shooting down an aeroplane. As veterans have said it's easy to shoot down an aeroplane as a "thing" rather than seeing it as a person. Thats why a lot of them were shocked to see bodies if they ever got to an aircraft they shot down.

[Dave Homewood]

Absolutely Baz but don't forget that Geoff had seen the devastation in Singapore first hand so I thin seeing bodies was not a new thing, but it was the fact these soldiers or marines were carving up the Japanese pilot with a spade that he found shocking.

[Mustang51]

Love the Ventura !

[soni]

My grandfather was also in the 10SU. He was a wireless mechanic/air craft hand. His name was Alex Stewart from Nelson originally. I don't know a lot about it as he didn't talk about it much. He did leave me all his old war photos which I really treasure. There are photos of people that I don't know but maybe someone on here may recognise a relative. Not sure how I could post the photos on here?

[davidd]

I wish to correct some comments made earlier in this thread (on previous page) about the employment of B-34s used by the RNZAF in Pacific and NZ. B-34s were NEVER called RB-34s by RNZAF, although that designation WAS used by USAAF, and nor were they ever referred to as Lexingtons in New Zealand (nor anywhere else so far as I can make out!) And B-34s were NEVER used by No. 1 (Bomber) OTU, only by 4 Sqdn, at Nausori (Fiji) July to October 1943, when withdrawn to NZ, as pointed out by Dave H. Back in New Zealand, a good number (perhaps 12 or 13) of B-34s were eventually put into service at Whenuapai in Nov/Dec 1943, and were serviced for a succession of squadrons at Whenuapai (based on 14 SU, and starting with No. 9 Sqdn) until about March/April 1944, when they were all removed from service completely, and stored at either Ohakea or Whenuapai. However, from about October/November 1944 onwards, six of the B-34s were removed from storage and again put into service at Whenuapai, this time allocated to a Maintenance Wing rather than an SU. This return to service was forced by a sudden rash of PV-1 accidents at this time. These same six aircraft were finally withdrawn from service in June 1945, and that was the end of the road for the RNZAF's B-34s.

[Deleted]

Jul 21, 2024 22:26:52 GMT 12 soni said:

He did leave me all his old war photos which I really treasure. [...] Not sure how I could post the photos on here?

I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to see them! Here is a helpful forum thread (LINK) about different ways to share photos.

[Dave Homewood]

Jul 21, 2024 22:26:52 GMT 12 soni said:

My grandfather was also in the 10SU. He was a wireless mechanic/air craft hand. His name was Alex Stewart from Nelson originally. I don't know a lot about it as he didn't talk about it much. He did leave me all his old war photos which I really treasure. There are photos of people that I don't know but maybe someone on here may recognise a relative. Not sure how I could post the photos on here?

I have been in touch with Sonia and she has kindly sent me the images from her grandfather Alex Stewart's collection for me to upload. There are a lot of them. Some are RNZAF Official shots as I recognise them but there are lots of others too.

Sonia says, "Thank you for your help. There are quite a few unknown soldiers on there and I hope someone will recognize them as their relative. Grandad did send a few through without censorship. He was wooing my Nana at the time which is why there are a couple of cheeky ones in there. I laughed when I seen them cos he was a bit of a character, even back then! I live near Perth in Australia so unable to do a lot from here. I did get Alex's war records which helped a bit. I just think some of his photos are unique and people may appreciate them. I'd like to find out about the Mon Desir from Takapuna. The Mon Desir was a pub in Takapuna so the pilot must have had a sense of humor."

[Dave Homewood]

[Dave Homewood]

[Dave Homewood]

[Dave Homewood]

[Dave Homewood]

[Dave Homewood]

[Dave Homewood]

Just a note: Where Sonia has mentioned "soldiers", they are in most cases actually airmen, not soldiers.

[Dave Homewood]

The above was labelled 'Woodbourne' but it is not Woodbourne. Soes anyone recognise the location?











Above: Espiritu Santos Base Workshops


B25s Mitchells heading out on strike (probably actually PBJ Mitchells)


Bougainville Island


Bougainville, Solomon Islands

[Dave Homewood]