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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 3, 2021 22:17:04 GMT 12
A strange question, but I am just wondering, have any New Zealanders ever flown with the Luftwaffe? Either before WWII, or during WWII, or post-war? Is anyone aware of any Kiwis flying with them, perhaps on exchange or through dual citizenship, etc? Just wondering.
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Post by baronbeeza on Jan 3, 2021 23:53:30 GMT 12
It will be an interesting one and I am sure we will see some good replies.
I am sure post-war there would have been NZ pilots in Luftwaffe machines and possibly even captured aircraft beforehand.
I know the question is about flying with the Luftwaffe and there will possibilities there.
There were all manner of exchanges and although not directly RNZAF and Luftwaffe there may be a good chance of a Kiwi in the RAF doing an exchange.
I did a trip in a JP-5 and the pilot was a German doing an exchange tour with the RAF. He had been a Starfigher pilot and I think he relished the opportunity to put the small jet through his display routine, it didn't do so well.
At the same time the Tornado was coming into operational service and the RAF had Tri-Nation squadrons. I am unsure of the establishment details now but I guess it would have been a RAF special unit and with the aircrew just seconded in. The crews from Italy and Germany would have very loose links with the RAF.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2021 6:32:00 GMT 12
Yeah I know of several Kiwis who flew Luftwaffe aeroplanes captured during WWII, but that was not the question.
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Post by McFly on Jan 4, 2021 6:48:15 GMT 12
A strange question, but I am just wondering, have any New Zealanders ever flown with the Luftwaffe? Either before WWII, or during WWII, or post-war? Is anyone aware of any Kiwis flying with them, perhaps on exchange or through dual citizenship, etc? Just wondering. RNZAF helicopter crew to train in Germany - www.odt.co.nz/news/national/rnzaf-helicopter-crew-train-germany  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2021 6:53:01 GMT 12
Ah yes, the NH90 crew members. Thanks Marty.
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Post by angelsonefive on Feb 20, 2021 10:15:22 GMT 12
I know of someone who might qualify. A WW2 Luftwaffe pilot and test pilot. A non-German, Austrian as I recall.
He came to NZ post-war and I do not know if he acquired NZ citizenship. He was crippled by a fractured spine when he crashed in a Tiger Moth, topdressing. I heard about him years ago and cannot recall his name.
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Post by McFly on Feb 20, 2021 12:30:09 GMT 12
I know of someone who might qualify. A WW2 Luftwaffe pilot and test pilot. A non-German, Austrian as I recall. He came to NZ post-war and I do not know if he acquired NZ citizenship. He was crippled by a fractured spine when he crashed in a Tiger Moth, topdressing. I heard about him years ago and cannot recall his name. I wonder if this could be Jonel (Johnny) Eftimopol who broke his back when he crashed an overladen Tiger Moth (ZK-AUE) into a hillside while topdressing 18 May 1952 at Oporae near Dannevirke. Eftimopol is a Romanian name, and he may have flown for the Romanian or German Air Force before Romania flipped over to the Allied side later in the war..? "NZ765 / DHNZ15 / Fuselage built at Hatfield and shipped to New Zealand.
Remainder of aircraft constructed at Rongotai from local materials.
British construction number 82946.
BOC Unit 18 Rongotai 19 September 1940.
With No.1 EFTS, Taieri 1940-1943.
With No.2 EFTS Ashburton late 1943.
Issued free to Wellington Aero Club from Taieri on 15 March 1948.
Entered the New Zealand Civil Aircraft Register as ZK-AUE on 17 May 1950.
Stored by the club before being onsold to Air Contracts Ltd, Masterton on 17 May 1950 for topdressing.
Crashed at Oporae on 18 May 1952 seriously injuring pilot Johnny Eftimopol.
The overladen aircraft mushed into a hillside and the pilot broke his back in the accident being confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
To Mrs. L Allardice on 04 September 1953 for use by Aerodress Ltd.
To Aerodress Ltd, Dannevirke on 04 December 1956, named "The Back Breaker".
Crashed at Akitio on 28 March 1957 when the farm owner attempted to taxi the aircraft and it inadvertently became airborne seriously injuring him.
Cancelled from register on 10 September 1957.
To B. Lynch, North Shore 03 June 1985.
To M. Ryan, Waharoa on 09 April 2002.
Currently airworthy in New Zealand." |
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Post by errolmartyn on Feb 20, 2021 12:45:01 GMT 12
According to Ancestry.com Jonel Eftimopol was born on 9 Feb 1911 at Roum/Sulina. His name appears on a passenger list for the USS General Stewart which departed Naples for Australia on 22 Mar 1950. His passpeort was issued at Neapel (Naples?). His occupation was described as that of 'naval-mac' (unfortunately it would appear that the occupation recorded may be incomplete, the 'mac' part running up against the extreme lefthand edge of the list which may have been excessively trimmed?
He died in Australia in 1989 and was (cremated?) at Matraville, Radwick City, NSW and (his ashes?) are buried or he is remembered at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park.
Errol
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Post by baronbeeza on Feb 20, 2021 13:06:33 GMT 12
 The name is slightly different, as are the dates. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 20, 2021 13:21:25 GMT 12
Interesting indeed, but he was not a Kiwi that went and served with the Luftwaffe.
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Post by angelsonefive on Feb 20, 2021 15:40:03 GMT 12
"I wonder if this could be Jonel (Johnny) Eftimpol who broke his back when he crashed an overladen Tiger Moth (ZK-AUE) into a hillside while topdressing 18 May 1952 at Oporae near Dannevirke. Eftimopol is a Romanian name, and he may have flown for the Romanian or German Air Force before Romania flipped over to the Allied side later in the war..?"
Thanks, McFly, this is the person I was thinking of. NZ Archives have him as John (Johan) George Eftimopol, naturalised on 19 May, 1960.
In the early 70's, as far as I remember, the Wgton Aero club was contacted by Wellington Hospital who advised that John Eftimopol was in their care and was depressed at times. The hospital asked if some of the older members could visit him occasionally.
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Post by htbrst on Feb 21, 2021 6:24:26 GMT 12
In the 90s my grandfather occasionally played golf near Wellington with a fellow retiree. He was an ex-Luftwaffe night fighter pilot who had shot down a heavy bomber the same night my grandfather was shot down. So there was a possibility they had a shared history 50 years prior. Records found not long after proved this not to be the case with it being linked to well known night fighter pilot instead.
Im not sure how much embellishment there is to it being the ‘same night’ to make a good story though 🙂
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Post by pjw4118 on Mar 3, 2021 14:59:03 GMT 12
Bernie Lewis from Nelson certainly did post war. He was a test pilot for Bristol Siddeley and flew Luftwaffe Fiat G91s on performance trials. I have a photo somewhere..
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Post by McFly on Mar 3, 2021 15:29:05 GMT 12
Bernie Lewis from Nelson certainly did post war. He was a test pilot for Bristol Siddeley and flew Luftwaffe Fiat G91s on performance trials. I have a photo somewhere.. Dave's WONZ Show 'Episode 28' Podcast on Bernie Lewis (Test Pilot) - ( Here) And a link to Bernie's book ( Here) |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 3, 2021 19:26:38 GMT 12
Thanks Peter, I had totally forgotten that!
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Post by thomarse on Mar 3, 2021 20:41:27 GMT 12
In the 90s my grandfather occasionally played golf near Wellington with a fellow retiree. He was an ex-Luftwaffe night fighter pilot My understanding is that Frank Brugger was a Luftwaffe pilot www.companiesnz.com/company/348659/frank-brugger-limitedFrank developed a thriving company Brugger Industries Limited at the time when NZ actually had Industry. It was very involved in manufacture of car components (metal seat frames etc) but also wood burners - the original "Pyro Classic" was one of them IIRC |
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