Race Over The Tasman

[Dave Homewood]

RACE OVER TASMAN

WON BY HALF AN HOUR

(Special P.A. Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, February 14. An R.A.F. Transport Command Liberator pilot, Captain Don Teel yesterday won a trans-Tasman air race from Auckland to Sydney by half an hour. It was Captain Teel's sixth outstanding flight during the past month. Yesterday his plane defeated two other R.A.F. Transport Command Liberators after having conceded them five and ten-minute starts respectively. Captain Teel's plane flew the 1350 miles between Auckland and Sydney in 6 hours 50 minutes. A crosswind spoiled his chance of setting a new record. The other two Liberators had flown from America after having been delayed by bad weather.

Captain Teel's Liberator had been to New Zealand on a special mission for the Commander-in-Chief of the British Pacific Fleet, Admiral Fraser. It had flown to Auckland thirteen New Zealand officers and ratings of the Royal Navy. The men were having their first home leave in four years.

Captain Teel has recently been making special flights in the Pacific. Last week he returned with Admiral Fraser from New Zealand, after which his plane was to go to its Montreal base. But someone informed Admiral Fraser that thirteen New Zealanders in the British Pacific-Fleet were homesick. Sir Bruce Fraser made arrangements for Captain Teel's Liberator to make a special round trip. The New Zealanders were flown home for early breakfast in Auckland on Monday and yesterday. The Liberator flew back with Australians returning from leave.

Later in the week Captain Teel and his crew will make a fresh start for Montreal.

EVENING POST, 15 FEBRUARY 1945


EVENING POST, 15 FEBRUARY 1945

[Dave Homewood]

I seem to recall being told that one of those Kiwis who flew home on leave in Fraser's transport was Corsair pilot Glenn McBride, who got married while on leave. He returned to the British Pacific Fleet and on the 10th of August 1945 he vanished during an attack on Japan. He was the last New Zealander killed in WWII.

[errolmartyn]

May 23, 2020 14:53:39 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

I seem to recall being told that one of those Kiwis who flew home on leave in Fraser's transport was Corsair pilot Glenn McBride, who got married while on leave. He returned to the British Pacific Fleet and on the 10th of August 1945 he vanished during an attack on Japan. He was the last New Zealander killed in WWII.

Dave,

Your last sentence should read 'was the last New Zealander to lose his life on air operations during the Second World War.'

Nineteen further New Zealand airmen died after McBride and before WWII was officially ended on 2 Sep 45.

Errol

[pjw4118]

That seems a lot of deaths in three weeks when Eurpoe was at peace. I must study your For Your Tomorrow volumes.