NATIONAL COMMEMORATION TO MARK THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE SERVICE DURING WORLD WAR II FRIDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2017 HALL OF MEMORIES, PUKEAHU NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL PARK, WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND Photos are from the collection of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand AN OVERVIEW ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE SERVICE DURING WORLD WAR II On 1 April 1937 the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) became an independent service within the New Zealand defence forces. Hundreds of New Zealanders had flown in Allied air forces during the First World War, and a small New Zealand Permanent Air Force had been established (under army control) in 1923. But despite expansion in the late 1930s, when war broke out in September 1939 the RNZAF had just 756 full-time personnel and only a handful of modern aircraft. NEW ZEALANDERS IN THE RAF At the same time about 420 New Zealanders were serving with the Royal Air Force (RAF) – the most from any of the Dominions. A further 7000 Kiwi airmen would join RAF squadrons through the Empire Air Training Scheme. They would serve with distinction in all theatres of the war, from the skies over northern Europe to the deserts of North Africa, from the Atlantic Ocean to the jungles of Burma. New Zealanders played a key role in the Battle of Britain in 1940. At least 130 Kiwi pilots took part and made up the third largest national contingent in RAF Fighter Command after Britons and Poles. Some like Al Deere and Colin Gray achieved fame as fighter ‘aces’, while Sir Keith Park led Fighter Command’s crucial 11 Group, which covered London and southeast England. Twenty New Zealanders serving in Fighter Command were killed during the battle. Those serving in RAF Bomber Command faced even greater dangers. Of the approximately 6000 New Zealanders who flew in offensive operations over Germany and occupied Europe, more than 1850 lost their lives. They served in many squadrons, but New Zealand’s effort is especially associated with 75 (NZ) Squadron, which was almost entirely Kiwi, and 487 (NZ) Squadron. 1 Hundreds more flew with RAF Coastal Command and the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, helping the Allies achieve victory in the Battle of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean theatre. Three New Zealanders won the Victoria Cross while flying with the RAF: James Ward (75 Squadron), Leonard Trent (487 Squadron) and Lloyd Trigg (Coastal Command). In total, over 12,000 New Zealanders served in RAF squadrons; 3285 (27 per cent) lost their lives and more than 500 became prisoners of war. THE RNZAF IN THE PACIFIC WAR Closer to home, the RNZAF expanded rapidly to undertake operations in South-east Asia and the Pacific following the outbreak of war with Japan in December 1941. About 400 RNZAF personnel took part in the disastrous attempt to defend Malaya and Singapore. Then in November 1942, airmen from 3 Squadron arrived at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal to serve alongside US forces; more New Zealand squadrons arrived over the next months. Equipped with modern American-made aircraft, the RNZAF conducted anti-submarine patrols, reconnaissance, bombing, rescue, and fighter escort missions around the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago. RNZAF pilots were credited with destroying 103 Japanese aircraft over the Solomons. With 11 victories, Geoffrey Fisken became the leading British Commonwealth ‘ace’ of the Pacific War. The number of RNZAF personnel peaked at around 42,000 in 1944. The end of the war brought major change as hundreds of aircraft were scrapped and tens of thousands of personnel demobilised. The post-war years would see the RNZAF take on new roles and commitments, notably in Southeast Asia, while maintaining the proud tradition of service, resourcefulness and professionalism established during the Second World War. 2 MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL Nga mihi mahana ki a koutou – Warm These New Zealanders helped preserved greetings to you all. the freedoms that we enjoy today. They paid a high price, with 4256 losing their Just two and a half years after the Royal lives. New Zealand Air Force became an independent Service, it was called upon In the years since, personnel of the Royal to play a major role in the Second World New Zealand Air Force have maintained War. Over the six years of the war, the proud traditions of service and sacrifice, RNZAF would transform from a small force and continue the work to maintain peace to one of over forty thousand personnel, and security in conflict zones across the serving at home and abroad. In the Far world. East, the RNZAF was briefly caught up in the fall of Singapore and Malaya, and RNZAF Ka maumahara tonu ou kia ratou – We will Squadrons made a significant contribution remember them. to the ultimate victory in the Pacific. The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, GNZM, QSO Thousands of young New Zealanders also Governor-General of New Zealand served with other allied air forces further afield, and on the other side of the world; most notably in the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Australian Air Force. New Zealanders could be found, serving alongside their allies, in almost every area of conflict. They played a major role in the Battle of Britain in 1940, and many served, at great cost, with RAF Bomber Command. At sea, they patrolled the sea-lanes with Government House RAF Coastal Command and flew in support New Zealand of the allied naval forces around the globe. 3 ORDER OF SERVICE THE ARRIVAL Official guests are welcomed by Rear Admiral David Ledson ONZM (Rtd), Chair, National War Memorial Advisory Council and Brodie Stubbs, Manager Heritage Projects, Ministry for Culture and Heritage RESPECTS PAID AT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN WARRIOR Whakamaharatanga, the Remembrance Bell, tolls as the Official Party pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior Unknown Warrior KARANGA June Jackson MNZM, supported by Peter Jackson, Taranaki Whānui Please stand PROCESSIONAL Rangimarie, the Peace Bell, tolls six times as the Official Party processes into the Hall of Memories QUEEN’S COLOURS March in of the Queen’s Colour and Squadron Standards of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Queen’s Colour of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Standard of No 5 Squadron Standard of No 40 Squadron Standard of No 3 Squadron Standard of no 42 Squadron 4 British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Commemorative Pennant NATIONAL ANTHEM Leading Aircraftsperson Barbara Graham leads guests in singing the National Anthem of New Zealand, accompanied by the Royal New Zealand Air Force band God Defend New Zealand E Ihowā Atua, O ngā iwi mātou rā Āta whakarangona; Me aroha noa Kia hua ko te pai; Kia tau tō atawhai; Manaakitia mai Aotearoa God of Nations at Thy feet, In the bonds of love we meet, Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our free land. Guard Pacific’s triple star From the shafts of strife and war, Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand. Please be seated 5 6 WELCOME Wing Commander Cam Brownlee Master of Ceremonies PROLOGUE Rear Admiral David Ledson ONZM (Rtd) ADDRESS The Honourable Mark Mitchell Minister of Defence CHORAL ITEM Leading Aircraftsperson Barbara Graham sings Pokarekare Ana ORAL HISTORY READING The Honourable Clayton Cosgrove MP Opposition representative A POEM Cadet Warrant Officer Ryan Dawson Think of them. You did not die as these Caged in an aircraft that did not return. Whenever hearts have song and minds have peace Or in your eyes the prides of banner burn, Think of those who dreamed and loved as you And gave their laughter, gave their sun and snow, Their grave blessed by their native dew 7 That you would live. To them this debt you owe. Their glory shines about the sky forever, Though in these things they left to you, the ghost Should haunt your field of ease and resting river. Their lives are ended, but dreams are not yet lost If you remember in your laugh and song These boys who do not sing and laughed not long. Words: Herbert Corby RAF (b. 1911) PRAYER OF REMEMBRANCE Chaplain Class 2 Diana Woods offers a prayer and then leads guests in reciting the Lord’s Prayer Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. Please stand 8 BATTLE OF BRITAIN HYMN Led by Leading Aircraftsperson Barbara Graham and accompanied by the RNZAF Band, guests sing the Battle of Britain Hymn O Thou that hearest prayer, Our brothers’ shield and guide, Who through the spacious air On high adventure ride, To watch or fight, Near and afar, On wings of war, For truth and right Give skill of hand and eye, And quick discerning mind, Through lonely wastes of sky Unchartered ways to find, Nor faint nor fail Nor evil fear, But know Thee near, Whate’er assail And as that hero band, The young, the few, the brave, To shield our menaced land Their eager manhood fade, Nor turned aside From danger’s call, But for us all They dared and died 9 So unto us today, Thy strength and aid impart, Our country’s call to obey With brave unfaltering heart, Till sufferings cease, And victors come Rejoicing home, On wings of peace Please be seated 10 LAYING OF WREATHS Wreaths are laid by the following: The Honourable Mark Mitchell Minister of Defence on behalf of the Government and People of New Zealand His Excellency Tommy Leasi Papali’i High Commissioner and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps on behalf of the