Maori aircrew serving with 75 (NZ) Squadron, 1939-45
This post holds information that many people are unaware of. I’m certain you’ll enjoy this. For further information, you can enter the 28 Maori Battalion HERE___
Many thanks once again to Chris for his contribution of this post. Whilst the blog has presented information about the Maori airmen that flew with 75(NZ) Squadron, specifically to certain crews, I think it’s fitting tribute to them as a group that we should recognise these individuals and their contribution to the Squadron and Bomber Command – as Chris observes, It’s fascinating, and quite ironic that these young boys, often from isolated rural backgrounds, travelled to the other side of the world in Britain’s defence, when it’s quite feasible that their great-grandfathers could have fought against the British in defence of their own lands and political independence………
Photo from The Weekly News,17 March 1943, with caption, “A Maori team at a British air station – R. W. Raharuhi (Takara), M. T. Parata (Waikanae), M. T. T. Manawaiti and E. H. Gray (Otaki).” Thought to have been taken at Mildenhall.
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Posted on June 28, 2014, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged aviation, ETO, family history, History, Military, Military History, New Zealand, veterans, war, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 15 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
This is not a comment re your comments just my lazy way of getting through to the main source of this fine website.Please pass on.Not being negative or finnicky.
when referring to NZers remember there is a Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) BUT no Royal NZ Army-it is just the New Zealand Army, just as there is no Royal Australian Army or no Royal British Army, Cheers. There are of course various royals such as the Royal NZ Infantry Regiments, Royal NZ Service Corps etc
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I thank you very much for that information. I have never been informed of that. I do hope no one has been offended by my faux pas.
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You are to be commended on this great tribute to the memory of these elite men.
An elite group of airman whose contribution to the war must be considered exceptional.
Ian
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Thank you very much, Ian. When I said I wish everyone’s story could be told – I meant it. I know there are tons that I will miss, but at least I can give it a go. I appreciate you always being such a loyal reader.
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I didn’t know about these men. You have reminded me that I have distant relatives in New Zealand. In WWII Clarence Tibbets came to England, joined the RAF and died in the autumn of 1940, I think over Berlin.
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There you go, a new project is born!! Have fun with it, Hillary.
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The Maori contribution to 75 Squadron deserves remembering. I was able to publish a little of the story back in the late 1990s, in my history of the RNZAF, but not in much detail. Good to see an account of their work and some of the names!
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Excellent info Matt, is there someplace we can find your story? On your site?
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Soon, I hope. It was in my 1998 book ‘Kiwi Air Power’. Long out of print. I’ve retrieved the publishing license for it from Penguin, and am looking into getting it re-published.
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Please keep us informed.
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As I remember, they were a pretty tough group. Interesting article.
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Yes, I believe they were, Jacqui. That’s why I sometimes think it wise to reblog an article from someone who knows a situation better than I can do the research for it.
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Hey boys, fix those hats or you’ll be “flying” pots and pans.
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😆
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