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On this day 81 years ago, Leonard Trent earned a Victoria Cross for outstanding leadership, cool, unflinching courage and devotion to duty. On 3 May 1943, Nelson-born Trent led an attack by 11 Lockheed Ventura bombers from No. 487 RAF Squadron on the Hemweg power station in Amsterdam. The raid was a disaster, with 10 of the Venturas shot down. Of the 48 crew who set off for Amsterdam, 28 died and 12 were taken prisoner, including Squadron Leader Trent. RNZAF crew killed on the raid were Thomas James Baynton, 27, Auckland; Andrew Edward Coutts, 27, Whakatane; William Desmond Laurence Goodfellow, 23, Takapuna; Stuart McGowan, 22, Raupare; Stanley Bailey Peryman, 21, Christchurch; Cyril Richard Smith, 29, Millers Flat; and Timothy William James Warner, 25, Wellington. In 1946 Squadron Leader Trent was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery. His citation, published in London Gazette, read: On 3 May 1943, Squadron Leader Trent was detailed to lead a formation of Ventura aircraft in a daylight attack on the power station at Amsterdam. This operation was intended to encourage the Dutch workmen in their resistance to enemy pressure and the target was known to be heavily defended. The importance of bombing it, regardless of enemy fighters or anti-aircraft fire, was strongly impressed on the aircrews taking part in the operation. Before taking off Squadron Leader Trent told the deputy leader that he was going over the target whatever happened. All went well until the 11 Venturas and their fighter escort were nearing the Dutch Coast. Then one bomber was hit and had to turn back. Suddenly large numbers of enemy fighters appeared. Our escorting fighters were hotly engaged and lost touch with the bombing force. The Venturas closed up for mutual protection and commenced their run up to the target. Unfortunately, the fighters detailed to support them over the target had reached the area too early and had been recalled. Soon the bombers were attacked. They were at the mercy of 15 to 20 Messerschmitts which dived on them incessantly. Within four minutes six Venturas were destroyed. Squadron Leader Trent continued on his course with the remaining three aircraft, and in a short time two more Venturas went down in flames. Heedless of the murderous attacks and of the heavy anti-aircraft fire which was now encountered, Squadron Leader Trent completed an accurate bombing run, and even shot down a Messerschmitt at point blank range. Dropping his bombs in the target area he turned away. The aircraft following him was shot down on reaching the target. Immediately afterwards his own aircraft was hit and went into a spin and broke up. Squadron Leader Trent and his navigator were thrown clear and became prisoners of war. The two other members of the crew perished. On this, his twenty-fourth sortie, Squadron Leader Trent showed outstanding leadership. Such was the trust placed in this gallant officer that the other pilots followed him unwaveringly. His cool unflinching courage and devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds rank with the fine examples of these virtues. — The London Gazette, No. 37486, 26 February 1946[52]
Images: MUS0800517: Portrait of Squadron Leader LH Trent DFC, pilot with No. 487 Squadron. Taken before his Victoria Cross action. PR9066: No. 487 Squadron air crew in front of a Ventura. RAF Station Feltwell. Squadron Leader LH Trent DFC, centre front. MUS9706116: Oil painting by Colin Pattle. Squadron Leader LH Trent earning his Victoria Cross
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. #RNZAF#rnzafpastandpresent... See MoreSee Less
Pilot Officer Andrew Coutts was a friend of my parents and when I was born after the War, they named me after him. They felt his loss for years and when I was a child my mother often spoke of “Andy”.
Age is no barrier to being a Loadmaster at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand ✈ as a group of 70 aviation angels from Lincoln Learning Curves Montessori proved this week. They took to guiding the C-130H Hercules on our Drop Zone mission through the Otira Valley like a lot of little ducks to water. Come and have a go if you think you're Loadmaster enoug#learningcurvesmontessorilincolnncoln ... See MoreSee Less
This is the Air Force Museum of New Zealand calling!!📡 Put that smart phone down and join us for a trip back in time to the 1940s and the world of military radios as part of our ongoing Short Talk series. Specialist Kelvin Barnsdale will explain the challenges of bringing 80-year-old radios back to life in a fascinating talk that is both technical and historical in equal measure. If you’re curious, love history and technology and want to rediscover a whole world of lost skills – this is not to be missed! Kelvin's Short Talk - Bringing history to life using restored World War Two radios - is free and you can tune in at 10am on Saturday May 18 in our theatre. #amateurradio#amateurradio #grota... See MoreSee Less
Today we remember two young Kiwi pilots who were killed while on a mission off the coast of France on 30 April/1 May 1944. Fairey Swordfish pilots Sub-Lt Ian Lewis Ruxton Wilson and Sub-Lt Leslie Frank Hayward were serving with No. 838 Squadron in the Fleet Air Arm when they were sent to attack the T27, a heavily-armed German Type-39 torpedo boat. T27 had been beached after an exchange with two Canadian destroyers two nights earlier. Both of the young Kiwis’ aircraft were shot down by flak during the attack on the torpedo boat, and a third Swordfish was also destroyed. Nine lives were lost. Ian Lewis Rexton Wilson, a young Aucklander, was just 23. Leslie Frank Hayward, (pictured) from Wellington, was 24. More than 70 years later descendants of the pilots from the Hayward and Wilson families connected, and they travelled to the town of Plouguerneau in Brittany in north-western France, near where they were lost, to remember them. Today, 80 years later, we acknowledge their sacrifice. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
RIP Gentlemen. I was fortunate to be based at RNAS Yeovilton for 2 periods of my RN career and be able to take these photos of the Swordfish that still flies with Navy Wings.
On this day 81 years ago, Leonard Trent earned a Victoria Cross for outstanding leadership, cool, unflinching courage and devotion to duty.
On 3 May 1943, Nelson-born Trent led an attack by 11 Lockheed Ventura bombers from No. 487 RAF Squadron on the Hemweg power station in Amsterdam.
The raid was a disaster, with 10 of the Venturas shot down. Of the 48 crew who set off for Amsterdam, 28 died and 12 were taken prisoner, including Squadron Leader Trent.
RNZAF crew killed on the raid were Thomas James Baynton, 27, Auckland; Andrew Edward Coutts, 27, Whakatane; William Desmond Laurence Goodfellow, 23, Takapuna; Stuart McGowan, 22, Raupare; Stanley Bailey Peryman, 21, Christchurch; Cyril Richard Smith, 29, Millers Flat; and Timothy William James Warner, 25, Wellington.
In 1946 Squadron Leader Trent was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.
His citation, published in London Gazette, read:
On 3 May 1943, Squadron Leader Trent was detailed to lead a formation of Ventura aircraft in a daylight attack on the power station at Amsterdam. This operation was intended to encourage the Dutch workmen in their resistance to enemy pressure and the target was known to be heavily defended. The importance of bombing it, regardless of enemy fighters or anti-aircraft fire, was strongly impressed on the aircrews taking part in the operation. Before taking off Squadron Leader Trent told the deputy leader that he was going over the target whatever happened. All went well until the 11 Venturas and their fighter escort were nearing the Dutch Coast. Then one bomber was hit and had to turn back. Suddenly large numbers of enemy fighters appeared. Our escorting fighters were hotly engaged and lost touch with the bombing force. The Venturas closed up for mutual protection and commenced their run up to the target. Unfortunately, the fighters detailed to support them over the target had reached the area too early and had been recalled. Soon the bombers were attacked. They were at the mercy of 15 to 20 Messerschmitts which dived on them incessantly. Within four minutes six Venturas were destroyed. Squadron Leader Trent continued on his course with the remaining three aircraft, and in a short time two more Venturas went down in flames. Heedless of the murderous attacks and of the heavy anti-aircraft fire which was now encountered, Squadron Leader Trent completed an accurate bombing run, and even shot down a Messerschmitt at point blank range. Dropping his bombs in the target area he turned away. The aircraft following him was shot down on reaching the target. Immediately afterwards his own aircraft was hit and went into a spin and broke up. Squadron Leader Trent and his navigator were thrown clear and became prisoners of war. The two other members of the crew perished. On this, his twenty-fourth sortie, Squadron Leader Trent showed outstanding leadership. Such was the trust placed in this gallant officer that the other pilots followed him unwaveringly. His cool unflinching courage and devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds rank with the fine examples of these virtues.
— The London Gazette, No. 37486, 26 February 1946[52]
Images: MUS0800517: Portrait of Squadron Leader LH Trent DFC, pilot with No. 487 Squadron. Taken before his Victoria Cross action.
PR9066: No. 487 Squadron air crew in front of a Ventura. RAF Station Feltwell. Squadron Leader LH Trent DFC, centre front.
MUS9706116: Oil painting by Colin Pattle. Squadron Leader LH Trent earning his Victoria Cross
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. #RNZAF #rnzafpastandpresent ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Pilot Officer Andrew Coutts was a friend of my parents and when I was born after the War, they named me after him. They felt his loss for years and when I was a child my mother often spoke of “Andy”.
Brave men, all of them
Fremantle Cemetery WA. Taken Feb 2023.
Age is no barrier to being a Loadmaster at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand ✈ as a group of 70 aviation angels from Lincoln Learning Curves Montessori proved this week.
They took to guiding the C-130H Hercules on our Drop Zone mission through the Otira Valley like a lot of little ducks to water.
Come and have a go if you think you're Loadmaster enoug#learningcurvesmontessorilincolnncoln ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
This is the Air Force Museum of New Zealand calling!!📡
Put that smart phone down and join us for a trip back in time to the 1940s and the world of military radios as part of our ongoing Short Talk series.
Specialist Kelvin Barnsdale will explain the challenges of bringing 80-year-old radios back to life in a fascinating talk that is both technical and historical in equal measure.
If you’re curious, love history and technology and want to rediscover a whole world of lost skills – this is not to be missed!
Kelvin's Short Talk - Bringing history to life using restored World War Two radios - is free and you can tune in at 10am on Saturday May 18 in our theatre.
#amateurradio #amateurradio
#grota ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
I learnt to listen to and appreciate amateur radio by listening to an AR88! Big beast. Yes, I studied, sat the exams and have my licence.
Would be great if this could be streamed I reckon....
Today we remember two young Kiwi pilots who were killed while on a mission off the coast of France on 30 April/1 May 1944.
Fairey Swordfish pilots Sub-Lt Ian Lewis Ruxton Wilson and Sub-Lt Leslie Frank Hayward were serving with No. 838 Squadron in the Fleet Air Arm when they were sent to attack the T27, a heavily-armed German Type-39 torpedo boat. T27 had been beached after an exchange with two Canadian destroyers two nights earlier.
Both of the young Kiwis’ aircraft were shot down by flak during the attack on the torpedo boat, and a third Swordfish was also destroyed. Nine lives were lost.
Ian Lewis Rexton Wilson, a young Aucklander, was just 23. Leslie Frank Hayward, (pictured) from Wellington, was 24.
More than 70 years later descendants of the pilots from the Hayward and Wilson families connected, and they travelled to the town of Plouguerneau in Brittany in north-western France, near where they were lost, to remember them.
Today, 80 years later, we acknowledge their sacrifice.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Swordfish pictures courtesey of the Royal Navy.
Read the Wilson and Hayward families' story here:
www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/features/ian-wilson
#rnzafpastandpresent ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
RIP Gentlemen. I was fortunate to be based at RNAS Yeovilton for 2 periods of my RN career and be able to take these photos of the Swordfish that still flies with Navy Wings.
RIP.Lest we forget.
Lest We Forget 🌹
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