Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 22, 2006 18:30:34 GMT 12
I learned on Tuesday from a staff member at the RNZAF Museum that their former guide and one of New Zealand's greatest authors, Errol Brathwaite, passed away late last year, This is a little late I know but I wanted to pay a little tribute to this great man. He wrote some wonderful books and rates among my favourite authors.
Having served in the RNZAF in WWII, Errol had been an air gunner in Venturas in the Pacific and so he really knew his stuff when he wrote his first book in 1959, called "Fear in the Night". This is a fiction novel laced with lots of technical fact about RNZAF Ventura operations, based around a crew who are struck over the target and must put down their kite on a disused airstrip on a Japanese held island. In the tense few hours under cover of darkness the crew race to fix the engine and free the aircraft of all unnecessary weight for a short take off whilst a unit of crack Jap troops are bearing down on them from a nearby base. It's a gripping tale and really had me on the edge of my seat.
Other RNZAF related books he wrote included:
A Long Way Home - about the escape of Les 'Chalky' White across France and Spain - true story and a great read
We'll Be Home For Christmas - a collection of his own writings and others from books and Contact magazines, etc about the social side of the wartime RNZAF - highly recommended
An Affair of Men - I have only just started reading this but is similar to 'Fear In The Night' but from the Jap point of view as they track a downed bomber crew in the jungle!
Long Way Home - I have just bought this and not read it, but I believe it's RNZAF related
I don't know if I've missed any other RNZAF related works, but he wrote 33 books, many based on NZ history and regional beauty of the country, plus a well known series on the Maori Wars. I believe he was popular as a write in the 1970's and 1980's but has now become more obscure, despite his great works.
Errol also worked as a guide and restorer at the RNZAF Museum. The Hudson's turret was restored by his hands, I know that much, and possibly several other turrets in the museum too.
I am saddened that he is no longer with us, and can only hope that this message will encourage others to check out his books. You won't be disappointed.
Having served in the RNZAF in WWII, Errol had been an air gunner in Venturas in the Pacific and so he really knew his stuff when he wrote his first book in 1959, called "Fear in the Night". This is a fiction novel laced with lots of technical fact about RNZAF Ventura operations, based around a crew who are struck over the target and must put down their kite on a disused airstrip on a Japanese held island. In the tense few hours under cover of darkness the crew race to fix the engine and free the aircraft of all unnecessary weight for a short take off whilst a unit of crack Jap troops are bearing down on them from a nearby base. It's a gripping tale and really had me on the edge of my seat.
Other RNZAF related books he wrote included:
A Long Way Home - about the escape of Les 'Chalky' White across France and Spain - true story and a great read
We'll Be Home For Christmas - a collection of his own writings and others from books and Contact magazines, etc about the social side of the wartime RNZAF - highly recommended
An Affair of Men - I have only just started reading this but is similar to 'Fear In The Night' but from the Jap point of view as they track a downed bomber crew in the jungle!
Long Way Home - I have just bought this and not read it, but I believe it's RNZAF related
I don't know if I've missed any other RNZAF related works, but he wrote 33 books, many based on NZ history and regional beauty of the country, plus a well known series on the Maori Wars. I believe he was popular as a write in the 1970's and 1980's but has now become more obscure, despite his great works.
Errol also worked as a guide and restorer at the RNZAF Museum. The Hudson's turret was restored by his hands, I know that much, and possibly several other turrets in the museum too.
I am saddened that he is no longer with us, and can only hope that this message will encourage others to check out his books. You won't be disappointed.
