|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 27, 2018 19:54:46 GMT 12
The Wings Over New Zealand Show Episode 175 is now available, in which Dave Homewood sits down with former RNZAF Navigator Harold Kelsey for a chat. Harold trained in New Zealand and Canada, and then on his return to New Zealand he was posted to RNZAF Station Gisborne to join a Grumman Avenger squadron. When No. 30 Squadron left New Zealand with its Avengers for the Pacific, Harold and his crew, pilot Frank Holmes and wireless operator-air gunner Arch Alexander, remained at Gisborne as a reserve crew. However they were soon called on to head to the Pacific as the first replacement crew for the squadron. When No. 30 Squadron finished their tour, Harold, Frank and Arch had not finished their own tour so they stayed on when No. 31 Squadron, the other RNZAF Avenger squadron, arrived, and they joined that unit. So they got to fly with both squadrons on operations. Following the Avengers withdrawing to New Zealand Frank Holmes was moved to Corsairs and Harold and Arch went on to join Ventura squadrons in separate crews. Harold would serve with No.'s 2, 8,9, and 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadrons on the Ventura before the war ended. Here's the episode link: www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2018/02/harold-kelsey/
|
|
clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
|
Post by clint on Mar 1, 2018 12:23:12 GMT 12
Great episode Dave,he was lucky to survive that anti aircraft shell. I really enjoy hearing from the Pacific veterans.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 1, 2018 12:27:24 GMT 12
Thanks Clint. Yes, very lucky!
|
|