Episode 80 - Ake Ake Kia Kaha - The No. 75 Squadron Story's primary photo

The Wings Over New Zealand Show

Episode 80 - Ake Ake Kia Kaha - The No. 75 Squadron Story
Podcast Episode | 117 min | Talk-Show
WONZ Show host Dave Homewood is joined by Glen Turner, the secretary of the No. 75 Squadron Association here in New Zealand, who lends his expert knowledge to talk about - the pre-WWII history of No. 75 Squadron RAF, before the squadron ...See moreWONZ Show host Dave Homewood is joined by Glen Turner, the secretary of the No. 75 Squadron Association here in New Zealand, who lends his expert knowledge to talk about - the pre-WWII history of No. 75 Squadron RAF, before the squadron became associated with the New Zealanders - the background of the purchase by New Zealand of 30 Vickers Wellingtons for the RNZAF and how the New Zealand Squadron formed in Britain for this purpose, only to be morphed from a peacetime ferrying squadron into a wartime operational bomber unit - and the period in which the New Zealand Squadron became No. 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF They discuss the period of the New Zealanders (in both the New Zealand Squadron and No. 75 (NZ) Squadron) flying their Wellington bombers in action between 1939 and 1942; and Dave talks with two members of the No. 75 (NZ) Squadron aircrew who flew operations in those Wellingtons. John Wakefield, known as Jack and also Wakey, joined No. 75 (NZ) Squadron in November 1940, and flew thirty ops as a rear gunner. He was crewed with Charlie Pownall DFC originally, but when Charlie was posted to North Africa, Jack then flew a few more ops with Oliver Mathieson DFC, RAF. But many of his later ops were flown with Bob Fortheringham as his skipper. Nick Carter joined the squadron later on in May 1942 and flew in Jack Wright's crew. He was a Wireless Operator-Air Gunner in the crew. Both Jack and Nick tell the story of the squadron and of their own personal experiences very well indeed. Apologies for a few sound glitches in a small portion of Jack's interview. See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Dave Homewood
Editor
Dave Homewood
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Mar 31, 2015
Release date
Mar 31, 2015 (United Kingdom)

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