Read the forum code of contact
By: 22nd May 2011 at 13:10 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-In his book 'In Brave Company , 158 Squadron Operations' , ISBN 0-9507467-11 , self published in 1977 with several reprints , the author Bill Chorley dedicates an appendix to Friday the 13th . Only two Kiwi's skippered her and presumably were also the pilot ;
WO L Fulker RNZAF , 32nd op , 28 June 1944 to Wizernes
PO L Fulker RNZAF , 41st op , 25 July 1944 to Wanne-Eickel
FO TH Sinclair RNZAF , 78th op , 21 October 1944 to Hannover
Op number refers to Friday and not the pilot .
The remaining skippers/pilots were either Australian , Canadian or RAF . The nationalities of the other crew members is not listed but could well include Kiwi's but can be confirmed by looking in the the 158 ORB's .
By: 22nd May 2011 at 23:38 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Some further info on Fulker. From my trilogy 'For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Three: Biographies & Appendices)':
Fulker was actually an Aussie serving with the RNZAF.
FULKER, Flying Officer Leslie, DFC.
NZ412421; b Sydney, NSW, Australia 31 May 21; Bob's Farm Primary Sch, Nundle, NSW; to NZ 1940; labourer - NZ Glass Co, Penrose, Auckland. RNZAF Rongotai as Aircrafthand (GD) 16 Apr 41, remust as Air Gunner u/t & ITW 3 Aug 41, remust as Aircrafthand (AMD) & Hobsonville 16 Sep 41, remust as Airman Pilot u/t & ITW 12 Jan 42 [sick 24 Feb-2 Mar], 1EFTS 6 Apr 42, emb for Canada 22 Jun 42, att RCAF 15 Jul 42, 5 M Depôt 16 Jul 42, 12SFTS 2 Aug 42, Pilots Badge & Sgt 20 Nov 42, 1 Y Depôt 1 Dec 42, att RAF & emb for UK 12 Dec 42, 3PRC [redesignated 11PD&RC c.28 Dec] 19 Dec 42 [att 26EFTS - dates?], 15(P)AFU 2 Mar 43, 295 Sqn (Halifax - 4 ops?) 4 May 43, as part of Sqn Det crewed a Halifax towing a glider to Morocco c.11 Jun 43, post Sicily invasion ops rtd with Sqn Det to UK e.Aug 43, 298 Sqn (Halifax) 4 Nov 43, 21OTU (Wellington) 18 Jan 44, 41 Base for 1663HCU (Halifax) 14 Apr 44, 158 Sqn (Halifax - 30 ops) 8 Jun 44, Comm 24 Jun 44, kao 12 Sep 44. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery - 17.C.15, Germany. Son of Thomas W & Louisa Fulker (née Swan), Tamworth, NSW, Australia. [OHT2, OHT3, BSD & phot. TWN 29.11.44].
Fulker and Sinclair also appear in Gp Capt C M Hanson's 'By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999' (also published by me):
FULKER, Flying Officer Leslie, DFC.
NZ412421; Born Sydney, Australia, 31 May 1921; RNZAF 16 Apr 1941 to (kao) 12 Sep 1944; Pilot.
Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (6 Oct 1944): [158 Sqn RAF (Halifax)] One night in August, 1944, Flying Officer Fulker piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Brunswick. On the outward flight the aircraft was attacked by a fighter. Before the enemy’s aircraft could be evaded the bomber sustained extensive damage and the mid-upper gunner was wounded. In spite of this Flying Officer Fulker was determined to complete his mission. The target was still 100 miles distant, but he went on to execute his attack, and afterwards flew his severely damaged aircraft to base. In harassing circumstances this officer displayed inspiring leadership, great skill and courage.
Fg Off Fulker carried out 30 sorties with 158 Sqn, his targets including flying bomb launching sites(18), 14th Panzer HQ at Eversey, railway yards at Dijon, Le Havre, synthetic oil plants at Sterkrade(2) and Homberg, oil refinery at Wanne-Eickel and the towns of Stuttgart, Brunswick, Kiel and Gelsenkirchen. Prior to the airborne invasion of Sicily Fg Off Fulker towed Horsa gliders from the UK to North Africa with 295 Sqn RAF (Halifax). He then participated in the invasion of Sicily. Kao Gelsenkirchen, Germany, 12 Sep 1944 with 158 Sqn on his second tour of duty. Buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. F/S G R Newey, RNZAF, also lost his life with Fg Off Fulker.
SINCLAIR, Flying Officer Thomas Harold, DFC.
NZ391424 & 133541; Born Gisborne, 10 Mar 1919; RNZAF 21 Nov 1939 to 25 Feb 1946, Res. to 1 Feb 1948; Pilot.
Later F/S T H Sinclair DFC, AFM, RAF 2 Feb 1948 to 20 Jun 1951, 4016235. AFM KB1950.
Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (12 Dec 1944): [158 Sqn RAF (Halifax)] This officer has completed numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty. Fg Off Sinclair’s tour of 36 sorties consisted of the following attacks - Normandy Beachhead(7), Flying bomb sites(14), the Ruhr(6), Army support(5), Kiel, Wilhelmshaven and Hanover airfields(3). Following this tour he instructed at 11 OTU RAF (Wellington).
His AFM was awarded in 1950 for work done with the Armament and Guided Weapons Flight of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, over a period of two years whilst attached to the Ministry of Supply from the RAF. In Jul 1994, looking back over his service with the RNZAF and RAF, he gave as the major highlight of his career - “the joy of flying”.
Errol
By: 23rd May 2011 at 18:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-David and Errol
Thanks very much for the information you've provided, my friend and I greatly appreciate your efforts with this enquiry.
Type683
Posts: 33
By: Type683 - 22nd May 2011 at 08:14
A friend has contacted me regarding the above. He has been advised by a BC veteran that there were several Kiwi's who were part of the crew whilst the aircraft was on 158 Squadron.
Could anybody please confirm this for us.
Type683