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Post by aircraftclocks on Jan 24, 2020 20:01:52 GMT 12
I think that Walker, MJ, Not Pilot and Walker J are one and the same.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 24, 2020 21:38:08 GMT 12
I did wonder that...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2020 16:15:00 GMT 12
AVENGERS' ATTACK
JAPANESE AIRSTRIP
STRONG GROUND DEFENCES
(R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service.) June 1, 1944.
Avenger bombers of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, led by Squadron Leader M. Wilkes, of Nelson, in company with American aircraft, almost had to batter their way through heavy anti-aircraft fire when they attacked Vunakanau airfield, New Britain, recently. This much-plastered area may be practically barred to the Japanese as an airfield, but it is still strongly and tenaciously defended by concentrations of heavy, medium, and light anti-aircraft guns.
New Zealand Avenger bombers are helping in the task of pulverising such enemy bases and supply areas. The Allied air plan is to keep punching hard at all vital spots and to keep jabbing at any other areas which mean food, supplies, and shelter for the enemy. Though Japanese air strength has been smashed, they are resisting in every other way. The air war is virtually one between Allied Air Forces and Japanese ground forces, which still have formidable strength in anti-aircraft guns.
The Avengers' attack developed into a hot engagement. Supporting Allied aircraft dive-bombed enemy guns, which, nevertheless, kept up a heavy, accurate fire in attempts to smash the many bombing attacks.
One Avenger, piloted by Flight Sergeant "L. Le Lievre, of Christchurch, was hit in both wings and tail unit, which was badly shattered. The aircraft was tossed violently by one explosion, but the pilot retained control and brought it back safely. On arrival at base, a six-inch fragment of shell was found lodged in one wing. Despite such opposition, the attack was successful, and as our aircraft left the target area was a mass of smoke, through which could be seen flashes of explosions. This strike was typical of those being carried out almost every day by Bougainville-based aircraft, sometimes on several different targets. They mean so much less strength for the Japanese when the day comes to sweep them off these islands.
EVENING POST, 8 JUNE 1944
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Post by davidd on Jan 29, 2020 20:34:35 GMT 12
I met Lancelot Francois Le Lievre many years ago (he died some time after) and along with another good friend of mine, we had a good old chat about his Air Force days in 1943/44. He may have been working in Christchurch immediately prewar, but I am fairly certain that he was basically a life-time farmer, and lived in one of the bays along the north coast of Banks Peninsula (possibly Little Akaloa, but don't quote me!) From memory, he said that the Avenger was a good solid aircraft, but pretty heavy on the controls compared to other aircraft he had flown, more like a tank! Also from memory, unlike many of the other ex-Avenger pilots, he did not really want to convert to fighters (Corsairs by this time), and chose to "get back to the farm", and was posted to the Reserve on 14 October 1944. Another well-known Avenger pilot (P/O Murray Scofield Aitchison, Military Medal, and there lies a story!), was shot down by the Japanese over Rabaul, and although he lost both his fellow crew members, he managed to finally escape from Rabaul and was eventually rescued after being spotted in his dinghy at sea. Aitchison, like Le Lievre, was also transferred to the Reserve, but exactly one week later. Both these pilots were commissioned w.e.f. 1/8/44, at about the same date as they arrived back in New Zealand from Bougainville.
David D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2020 21:43:41 GMT 12
R.N.Z.A.F. FEATS
A CONCENTRATED ATTACK
(R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service.) BOUGAINVILLE, June 11.
Scoring 94 bomb hits on a Japanese supply dump south of Rabaul, New Zealand Avenger bombers made one of their most concentrated attacks yet against the enemy. It was a bitterly contested action, as the Japanese had gathered many heavy anti-aircraft guns, to make what appeared to be a supreme effort to stop the Avengers.
Dive-bombers went in first to engage the guns, but were practically ignored by the enemy gunners, who withheld their fire until the New Zealand aircraft went in to strike. Then they opened up a fierce barrage, which was both accurate and heavy.
Flight Lieutenant F. Adams, of Gisborne, who led the Avengers, said the sky was filled with the black puffs and flashes of exploding shells. Several aircraft were holed, and one, piloted by Flight Sergeant Jackson, of Maungaturoto, had the starboard elevator and half the starboard tailplane shot off, with damage to the rudder, but the pilot was able to return safely to his base and make an excellent landing, with nobody injured.
A large fire was started in the largest area, which was thoroughly plastered. The Japanese are still making every effort to stop Allied aircraft getting through, but the pounding continues almost without respite.
GUN CONVOY BLASTED.
In a devastating surprise attack, R.N.Z.A.F. Corsairs pounced on Japanese artillery being moved along a road from southern Bougainville towards Allec Beach, and destroyed or crippled six guns and blasted several ammunition carriers. Led by Flying Officer A G. Pierard, of Palmerston North, they were engaged in a routine search when they caught a fleeting glimpse of a heavily-camouflaged convoy through a gap in the jungle. The Corsairs came screaming in to the attack with guns blazing, and in a few seconds the camouflage netting over the objects on the road vanished in fire, leaving the guns and limbers clearly exposed. Meanwhile, the Japanese with the convoy vanished into the jungle with some of the trucks.
Pouring streams of incendiaries and tracers into the limbers the New Zealanders came down to treetop height, and a few seconds later the ammunition carrier blew up, the explosions rocking the aircraft.
"Enemy guns were tossed all over the road," said Pierard "We could see at least three completely smashed, and three others badly battered. It certainly was fun while it lasted." The Corsairs were running out of ammunition, so they returned to base, where shortly afterwards Pierard, was taking off to lead another R.N.Z.A.F. squadron back to the attack, accompanied by Avenger bombers and American fighter-bombers. The area was heavily plastered, including the surrounding jungle where the Japanese and additional vehicles were hiding. The whole convoy suffered severe losses and damage.
EVENING POST, 13 JUNE 1944
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 28, 2020 2:59:27 GMT 12
Hess is an American so he can come off the list.
I have 3 new names to add to the list.
Baker Not pilot
Davies Not pilot
F/Sgt Dornbusch Not pilot
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 28, 2020 14:50:20 GMT 12
It looks like, F/Sgt Leonard William Dornbusch, NZ414498, WOp/AG of 30Sqn fame could be our man.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 28, 2020 15:30:50 GMT 12
Dornbusch has always been on my No. 31 Squadron list, but thanks for the other two names, who I have no details on yet. I have added them.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Jun 28, 2020 23:03:21 GMT 12
I think I have located the action report on the "R.N.Z.A.F. FEATS A CONCENTRATED ATTACK" news report.
CONFIDENTIAL.
COMAIRSOLS
STRIKE COMMAND TBF INTELLIGENCE
Struck - 5 June 1944.
TARGET: Vunapope Supply Area, New Britain.
MISSION: Bomb and Strafe
FLIGHT-LEADER: F/Lt. F. Adams, RNZAF.
SQUADRON: NZTB-31.- 12 aircraft.
A/C & LOADING: 12 a/c, each loaded with 12 x 100 lb. bombs, Instantaneous fuzing.
TIMES: T.O. 0835; T.O.T. 1045; Landed 1140.
OTHER A/C CO-ORDINATING: 16 SBDs, VMSB-36
ENEMY A/C: None.
DAMAGE TO OWN A/C: N.Z.2523 - shrapnel hole approximately 3" x 3", in port flap. N.Z.2510 - Starboard elevator, and half of starboard tail-plane shot away. Several medium-sized holes in rudder. N.Z.2509 - Port panel smashed by blast - hole 3" in diameter, N.Z.2518 was lost.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES: A/C N.Z.2518 - Pilot: F/Lt C.G.G. Prior, RNZAF. Navigator: F/O S.E. Clayton, RNZAF. Gunner: W/O T.R. Scarlett, RNZAF.
- were the Crew of the Missing a/c.
ATTACK TACTICS: The formation approached the target area from the North-West at 14,000', pushed over at 10,000'/11,000', and released at 3500'/4000' indicated.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Of the 144 x 100 lb. bombs carried, 94 were hits in target area, 23 were jettisoned & 15 were returned. 12 bombs on the missing a/c were not accounted for.
Several a/c strafed on the way in to the target, and some on the way out. Results of strafing not observed.
WEATHER: En route - 3-4/10ths scattered cumulus, base 4000'. Over Target - Light scattered cumulus, otherwise clear.
OBSERVATIONS: 1. Anti-Aircraft Fire:
All A/A fire was very intense and accurate. The general opinion of both SBD & TBF pilots was that the guns withhold their fire until the SBDs had gone through, and then all positions opened up. Heavy A/A fire was bursting from 6000'/ 8000' and the sky was filled with black puffs.
A. The 4 heavies at the Northern end of the target area - intense & accurate.
B. The 2 auto positions on the S.E. & S.W. of the target area were also intense & accurate,
C. The 4 - 5 heavies S.S.E. of the target area were also intense & accurate.
2. Enemy Shipping: None.
3. Enemy Activity: None.
4. Condition of Target after Attack: Black smoke was seen in the target area going up to 400'/500' when the a/c were retiring.
5. Results of Co-ordinated Attack: Co-ordination was good, but the general opinion of the TBF pilots was that, numerically, SBD support appeared insufficient.
6. Miscellaneous Reports: None.
SPECIAL REPORT: N.Z. A/C N.Z.2518 crashed during the attack. Pilot: N.Z. 39935, F/Lt C.G.G. Prior. Navigator: N.Z. 426214, F/O S.E. Clayton. Gunner: N.Z. 411234, W/O T.R. Scarlett - were the crew of the a/c.
One TBF pilot saw the a/c spin slowly into the ground. It appeared as though the pilot had been hit. Another pilot saw part of a wing fly past him, and another saw two metal fuselage or wing plates falling.
An SBD pilot saw the TNF go in and burst into flames on hitting the ground. None of the crew were seen to get out of the a/c.
L.J. Allen, Flying-Officer
RNZAF, NZTB-31
Duty Intelligence Officer.
Plane No. Pilot Crew
N.Z.2542 Adams - Davies, Scott
N.Z.2509 Wilcox - Stevenson, D.B., Dunwoody
N.Z.2510 Jackson - Smith, Walker, E.C.
N.Z.2535 Hannah - Cameron, Arneson
N.Z.2517 Aitchison - Mathieson, Walker A.C
N.Z.2512 Halford - Waters, Blaikie
N.Z.2518: :Prior - Clayton, Scarlett
N.Z.2511 Stephenson - Weir, Walker, J.
N.Z.2523 Rollo - Walker, M.J., Powell
N.Z.2514 Worsp - Goss, Williams
N.Z.2520 Smart - Logan, Dixon
N.Z.2525 Kissel - Scott, K.R., Bower
: Did Not Return.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 28, 2020 23:17:03 GMT 12
Sad, that was the operation that NZ2518 "Plonky" was lost on.
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joanne
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Post by joanne on Dec 18, 2020 15:44:04 GMT 12
With regards to my No. 31 Squadron list, can anyone here expand on the following with full names, service numbers, and if possible dates of death? Was F/Sgt W. Blaikie actually either Walter Ross Blaikie NZ436886 or William Leslie Blaikie NZ421008? Date of death for P/O Archibald Cameron? Who was F/Sgt J. Dixon, WOP/AG? Who was F/Sgt Fuller, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt Goodeson, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt E. Harrison, WOP/AG? Who was F/Sgt Henderson, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt K. Jackson, Pilot? Who was Sgt P. Kissell, Pilot? Who was P/O G. Logan, Pilot? Who was F/Lt G. MacIvor, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt Murphy, Navigator? Who was P/O W. Norman, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt T. Powell, WOp/AG? Who was P/O W. Register, Pilot? Who was F/Sgt K. Scott, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt S. Scott, Navigator? Who was P/O H. Smart, Pilot? Who was F/Sgt Smith, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt Stevenson, Navigator? Who was F/O P. Stevenson, Pilot? Who was F/Sgt E.C. Walker, WOp/AG? Who was F/Sgt Walker, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt J. Weir, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt S. Whitmarsh, WOp/AG? Who was P/O A. Willcox, Pilot? Who was F/Sgt N.P. Williams, WOp/AG? Thanks for any clues and help. |
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joanne
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Post by joanne on Dec 18, 2020 15:48:27 GMT 12
With regards to my No. 31 Squadron list, can anyone here expand on the following with full names, service numbers, and if possible dates of death? Was F/Sgt W. Blaikie actually either Walter Ross Blaikie NZ436886 or William Leslie Blaikie NZ421008? Date of death for P/O Archibald Cameron? Who was F/Sgt J. Dixon, WOP/AG? Who was F/Sgt Fuller, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt Goodeson, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt E. Harrison, WOP/AG? Who was F/Sgt Henderson, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt K. Jackson, Pilot? Who was Sgt P. Kissell, Pilot? Who was P/O G. Logan, Pilot? Who was F/Lt G. MacIvor, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt Murphy, Navigator? Who was P/O W. Norman, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt T. Powell, WOp/AG? Who was P/O W. Register, Pilot? Who was F/Sgt K. Scott, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt S. Scott, Navigator? Who was P/O H. Smart, Pilot? Who was F/Sgt Smith, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt Stevenson, Navigator? Who was F/O P. Stevenson, Pilot? Who was F/Sgt E.C. Walker, WOp/AG? Who was F/Sgt Walker, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt J. Weir, Navigator? Who was F/Sgt S. Whitmarsh, WOp/AG? Who was P/O A. Willcox, Pilot? Who was F/Sgt N.P. Williams, WOp/AG? Thanks for any clues and help. |
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Post by planewriting on Nov 5, 2021 11:28:49 GMT 12
I have been asked for photos illustrating the livery of 30 Squadron Avengers for painting as a mural on a vehicle. I do have a selection of photos from 30 and also 31. They are happy for B & Ws. My question is, were there distinctive differences of the liveries used by 30 and 31 squadrons? If not I will go with best of those available. I would suggest they use one with a 30 Squadron RNZAF serial.
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Post by davidd on Nov 5, 2021 19:58:47 GMT 12
Peter,
As all these aircraft came off the same production line, their general colour schemes would have been pretty similar, but it is known that certain spray painters insisted on interpreting the official US Navy (BuAer) guidelines on the application of protective camouflage as they saw fit. It is quite likely that the production line had more than one spray gun hero, so there may have been a bit of competition as to the best interpretation. Thus, a study of individual NZ aircraft, one against another, might be quite educational. Note also that the "fleet" of TBFs maintained at Piva North (Bougainville) was used by both the squadrons in succession (although both squadrons lost or wrote off several aircraft from this fleet), so replacement aircraft (located at Espiritu Santo, with Base Depot Workshops) would be summoned forward to fill any gaps in the ranks. As you probably know, many of these aircraft had cartoons and other kinds of "personal decoration".
David D
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sandraa
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 1
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Post by sandraa on Aug 26, 2024 19:48:37 GMT 12
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