Stories
Stories
Masters of the Air – A Kiwi Connection
John Milne Checketts, DSO, DFC, US Silver Star, Polish Cross of Valour, pictured after returning from a mission, standing in front of a Spitfire,
holding his good friend Alan Deere’s dog.
(Credit: Royal Air Force)
Readers may be aware of Apple TV’s new series, Masters of the Air, based on the US Eighth Air Force’s 100th Bomber Group, on their mission to bomb targets inside German-occupied Europe in World War II.
While drama rather than documentary, the series is somewhat controversial in RAF Bomber Command circles, providing a highly US-centric view of bomber operations which many feel does not fairly portray Bomber Command’s role in the air war.
Notwithstanding, there is an interesting New Zealand connection, through pilot Johnny Checketts.
A motor mechanic in Invercargill, in October 1940 Checketts joined the RNZAF. From January 1942, he flew with No. 485 (NZ) Squadron before being posted to No. 611 Squadron.
He returned to No. 485 Squadron in August 1943 as its commander but two months later was shot down over occupied France. He managed to return to the United Kingdom with the help of the French Resistance and went on to command a wing carrying out operations in support of the D-Day landings.
Checketts flew sixty missions in support of the US Eighth Air Force flying fighter cover to protect the bombers on daylight raids. For this he was awarded the American Silver Star for his service, a are honour for someone from another country.
In total he flew 418 sorties and was credited with destroying fourteen enemy aircraft, with a further kill shared, along with three further probables and another eleven aircraft damaged. He had also destroyed two V-1 flying bombs and two E-boats.
Johnny Checketts had various peacetime RNZAF appointments after the war but left in 1955. He ran an aerial topdressing firm for about three years and for many years in later life showed a great interest in conservation matters.