6th N.Z. SQUADRON

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 241, 13 October 1942, Page 3

6th N.Z. SQUADRON

USING U.S. BOMBERS IN BRITAIN. STATION WITH RICH ASSOCIATIONS.

P.A. Cable.

LONDON, Oct. 10.

Ihe sixth New Zealand squadron to be formed in Britain is now finishing training. It is comqjianded by Wing Commander F. C. Seavill, of Hamilton, and will fly American bombers and operate from a station recently vacated by the famous 75th (New Zealand) Wellington Bomber Squadron, which, after being based at this station since the beginning oi the war, has now moved a few miles away. The station is rich in New Zealand assoeiations. Some hundreds of New Zealanders have bombed Germany and enemy occupied countries from it, eftid many have never returned. Some sleep in a nearby graveyard. Others have won decorations, including Jimmy Ward, V.C. Though the 75th has moved the newcomers will carry on and enrich that tradition. The station commander is Group Captain R. L. Kippenberger, of Waimate, brother of Brigadier H. K. Kippenberger, D.S.O. The other squadron on the station is Australian, so it is truly Anzac. Wing Commander Seavill's flight commanders are Squadron Leader Brian Wheeler, D.F.C., Marton, and Squadron Leader L. H. Trent, D.F.C., Nelson. The new squadron's third D.F.C. is Pilot Officer, G. W. Brevver, Papatoetoe, who won the decoration on his very first operation. The High Commissioner, Mr Jordan, visiting the squadron, met them all. In addition, there are the following New Zealand personnel: FlightLieutenant R, A. Reece (Christchurch), who is navigating officer; Pilot Officers G. A. Park (Dunedin), W. Gellatly (Nelson), T. J. Baynton, R. A. Ferri, T. Whyte, R. F. Edrnonds, W. D. L. Goodfellow (Auckland), C. Baker, J. F. Greenstreet, J. D. Sharpe, T. L. B. Taylor, C. J. Baker (Wellington), G. W. Lee, R. W. Second (Christchurch), E. C. Armitage (Dunedin), A. Coutts (Whakatane), B. M. Weeds, J. D. Hamill (Invercargill), G. F. Whitwell (Tirau), B. S. McCallum (Opunake), R. J. Street (New Plymouth). Members of the ground crew: Corporals R. E. Travers (Wanganui), C. E. Bush (Auckland), D. Macara (Gore), Aircraftman H. H. Armstrong (Whakatane). MEN'S RAST SERVICE. Group Captain Kippenberger jointhe R.A.F. in 1929 after working his way to England in a tramp steamer. He was given a short service commission and ultimately permanently cornmissioned. He was five years instructing tefcre the war and also testing aircraft and took a staff coilege course. In Maroh, 1940, he went to France with the advanced air striking force and finally left Ft ance after its fall with Air Marshal Playfair. After returning to England, Group Captain Kippenberger alternated. staff work with commanding; a Wellington squadron when he carried out three raids. Wing Commander Seavill joined the R.A.F. in 1930. Later he went to A.den for two years during the trouble with the Quetabis. He went to the Central Flying School on liis return to England and then was m the Training Command headquarters till the outbreak of war when he was ioaned to Canada in connection with. ihe British Commonvvealth Air Training Scheme. He was appointed deputy director of organisation at R.C.A.F. headquarters at Ottawa, where he stayed 27 months. Returning to England he carried out a refresher course with the Wellington bomber operational training unit. SPOILT NAZI PARADE! Squadi'on Leader Wheeler went to the Argentine in 1937 where he was ranching. He went to Canada in September, 1940, and there joined the R.C.A.F. After arriving in England he carried out nine daylight raids in Blenheims, sinking two ships, after which he transferred to Bostons, in which he carried out 20 daylight raids, including participation in the Dieppe raid, when he laid a smokescreen over the beaches. He once flew over a German aerodrome in France and saw 150 Germans lined up for 8 a.m. parade. He turned on his four cannons and the Germans were knocked down like ninepins, after which he dropped two big bornibs. He has had the distinction of having participated in the flrst raid carried out by Bostons over France, and also of chasing the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau during their passage of the Channel. Squadron Leader Trent went to France the day before the outbreak of war and flew Fairey Battles. He photographed the Siegfried line twice and also carried out photo reconnaissance deep inside Germany. He returned to England in December. 1939.

and transferred to Blenheims, in which he made 14 raids, including the famous attack on the Maastricht Bridge when only six of the 12 Blenheims returned. Later he bombed Rotterdam aerodrome and helped cover the Dunkirk evacuation. Squadron Leader Trent is one of four left from the squadron's eighteen original officers. He 'later became an officers' training unit instructor

and then control officer in a group headquarters operations room. Filot Officer Brewer won the D.F.C. on his flrst operation when he attacked Dunkirk shipping. He carried on and bombed the target despite the fact that he had been badly v/ounded by flak in one thigh. He then landed safely in Britain despite weakness from loss of blood. After two months in hospital he returned to duty in time to fly a Boston in the Dieppe raid. Pilot Officer Gellatly also laid a smoke screen during the Dieppe raid, which was his flrst operation. He returned with his rear gunner killed and .the observer severely wounded, and crash-landed his baclly damaged aircraft, The majority of the other New Zealanders have previously been posted to operational stations, but have carried out few raids. ' They represent about 50 per cent. of the flying personnel. The others include English, Irish, Canadians and South Africans. Wing Commander Seavill's crew, for instance, are all Canadians. Wing Commander Seavill told Mr Jordan: "All the boys are flat out types. There is a grand spirit in the squadron, and I know they v4ll put up a good show when they get cracking." v