Heads up - New book on 489 Squadron
May 31, 2022 9:45:19 GMT 12
clint, martymonsta, and 2 more like this
Post by flyinghilly on May 31, 2022 9:45:19 GMT 12
RAF 489 Squadron was one of the NZ Squadrons - that is, most of the aircrew were New Zealanders. The Squadron sits alonside the other NZ Squadrons two of these were in Bomber Command (75 and 487), three were in Fighter Command (485, 486, 488), and two were in Coastal Command (489 and 490).
These Squadrons have a proud history of exemplary service and achievement and NZ can rightfully proud of their successes.
A number of great books have been written about these squadrons
75 - Forever Strong by Norman Franks, 75(NZ) by Chris Ward and Chris Newey
485 - An Illustrated History of the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron by Kevin Wells
486 - The Wild Winds by Paul Sortehaug
487 - Through to the End by david Palmer and Assd Neeven
488 - Defence Until Dawn by Leslie Hunt
489 -
490 -
These books are squadron histories and there are biographies and autobiographies written by or about aircrew on all these squadronsas well. I could list these if anyone is intersted
Now Don Wilkie, of Napier, has researched and written a comprehensive history of 489 Squadron title "Forgottten Heroes". 489 flew Hampdens then Beaufighters and later Mosquitoes on coastal operations. In writing the book Don has relied heavily on first person accounts and he has supplimented the test with a large number of photos. Interestingly Don, who is an artist specialising in aviation painting, has included a number of his painting in the book.
The book is currently being editied and Don is sorting out the final details of the production but it is likely to be a substantial hard covered book the same size as David Palmer's book about 487 - "Through to the end"
I have been privileged to have been given access to a draft copy of the book and I can report that the result is an excellent book that I can highly recommend to anyone interested in history of 489 or the NZ Squadrons generally. It wil make a great addition to any NZ aviation library.
Its still early days but if you would like to reserve a copy connect with Don himself at longforgan@xtra.co.nz
Just to be clear - the book is still a few months away but it will be worth waiting for.
Larry Hill
These Squadrons have a proud history of exemplary service and achievement and NZ can rightfully proud of their successes.
A number of great books have been written about these squadrons
75 - Forever Strong by Norman Franks, 75(NZ) by Chris Ward and Chris Newey
485 - An Illustrated History of the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron by Kevin Wells
486 - The Wild Winds by Paul Sortehaug
487 - Through to the End by david Palmer and Assd Neeven
488 - Defence Until Dawn by Leslie Hunt
489 -
490 -
These books are squadron histories and there are biographies and autobiographies written by or about aircrew on all these squadronsas well. I could list these if anyone is intersted
Now Don Wilkie, of Napier, has researched and written a comprehensive history of 489 Squadron title "Forgottten Heroes". 489 flew Hampdens then Beaufighters and later Mosquitoes on coastal operations. In writing the book Don has relied heavily on first person accounts and he has supplimented the test with a large number of photos. Interestingly Don, who is an artist specialising in aviation painting, has included a number of his painting in the book.
The book is currently being editied and Don is sorting out the final details of the production but it is likely to be a substantial hard covered book the same size as David Palmer's book about 487 - "Through to the end"
I have been privileged to have been given access to a draft copy of the book and I can report that the result is an excellent book that I can highly recommend to anyone interested in history of 489 or the NZ Squadrons generally. It wil make a great addition to any NZ aviation library.
Its still early days but if you would like to reserve a copy connect with Don himself at longforgan@xtra.co.nz
Just to be clear - the book is still a few months away but it will be worth waiting for.
Larry Hill
