News

Squadron Leader (Rtd.) Jonathan Pote is known to many in NZBCA. He has given tremendous support to the Association over the years, a passion that reflects the enormous admiration he holds for all who served in Bomber Command. He was desevedly awarded life membership of the NZBCA at this year’s AGM.

A wonderful turnout of family and friends joined special guests for the annual Bomber Command Memorial Service at Auckland War Memorial Museum. This years’ service was especially poignant being the first where no WWII veterans could attend, a reminder to us all of the importance of remembering their service and sacrifice.

Sadly, we lost George Davis in June. His was a special story. Having trained for more than two years to become a navigator, he and crew were posted to 75 (NZ) Sq. at Mepal, but the posting arrived on 8 May 1945, V.E. Day! The posting was immediately cancelled, and George never made it to the Squadron.

Veterans, family and friends are invited to the annual RAF Bomber Command memorial service will be held on Sunday August 20th at 10.30am in the Hall of Memories at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Warbirds fans were thrilled to see the newly restored ex-RNZAF Mosquito NZ2308 display at Warbirds over Wanaka. This was particularly poignant for NZBCA. Not only did many New Zealanders fly Mosquitos in the war, including pathfinders and in two of our British-based squadrons, Nos. 487 and 488, but John Beeching, one of the very few remaining pilots who flew these wonderful aircraft in WWII, resides in Nelson.

John Beeching celebrated his 100th birthday with a party recently in Nelson with his family flying in from around the world. John flew Mosquitos in 100 group Bomber Command, a secretive group tasked with countermeasures against German radar, radio communications and flying offensive sorties against Luftwaffe night fighters and radar sites.