Hi guys,
I thought I would create a thread in honour of my grandfather who served for the RNZAF in the pacific.
Started in 16 Fighter Squadron where he flew P-40 Kittyhawks. Then joined 15 Fighter Squadron where received the brand new Corsair F4U. Then 26 Fighter Squadron also flying Corsair F4Us. Finished in Fighter Leader School, Ardmore. He was promoted and to go on to become the Squadron leader of a P51 Mustang squadron in Borneo but the war ended before this role was taken up.
He was stationed on Esperitu Santos, Rabaul Is and Guadalcanal.
Tried to add captions under each photo but it wouldn't let me sorry.
1. Squadron shot
Fallen comrades marked X
2. P40 Kittyhawk
3. P40 mission to Guadalcanal
Mission to Guadalcanal being lead by Hudson bomber acting as Navigation plane
4. Heading off to mission
Scrambling to his P-40 (He is the closest one on the front wheel guard)
5. P40 Kittyhawk formation
He is in the closest P-40 on left
6. Later group shot
What was left of his group. He is the tall one second row dead centre. (The best looking bloke)
7. Corsair
He called his Corsair "Dream Gal"
8. Dream gal
9. Jap tank (mention in dispatches)
Saved an Australian unit from being ambushed by strafing 2 jap tanks and destroying them. Award: Mention in Dispatches
10. Corsair
11. Peter in Corsair
12. Dream gal
Depth charge to attack Jap ships
13. Jap ship in sights
Diving on a Jap ship
14. Colt Auto .45
The Colt .45 he brought back
15. Light Machine Gun
A captured Jap type 99 LMG
16. Jap Prisoners
Shot he took is of two Jap prisoners which is rare because they usually committed hari kari (suicide) rather than be taken prisoner.
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