Leonard Henry Trent
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Group Captain Leonard Henry Trent VC DFC (1915-1986) was a New Zealander recipient of the Victoria Cross, the most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
A pilot of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Trent was attached to the Royal Air Force on initially flying Bristol Blenheims. He test flew the Douglas DB-7 Boston, which he strongly recommended to the RAF. He was appointed to command No. 487 Squadron RNZAF, a New Zealand Squadron of the Royal Air Force, which was working up on Lockheed Venturas, for day light raids, a task the type was manifestly inadequate for.
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He was 28 years old, and a squadron leader in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, serving with No. 487 Squadron RNZAF, under Royal Air Force control during the World War II, when he was awarded the VC.
On 3 May 1943 the squadron was ordered on a 'Ramrod' bombing attack on a target in Amsterdam, (the code Ramrod meant that the mission was deemed so important, it was to be continued regardless of losses). Two squadrons were to escort the Venturas, a low-level Supermarine Spitfire Mk V group and a high-level escort of Spitfire Mk IXs, which were to cross the coast at sea level so as not to alert German radar, then climb. Unfortunately the Mk IXs arrived early, and had also crossed the coast high, being anxious to gain a height advantage. They ran low on fuel before the Venturas arrived and had to leave. A conference of leading German fighter pilots was taking place at an airfield virtually en route. These pilots scrambled when the Mk IXs were detected. Under constant attack, 487 Squadron continued on to its target, the few surviving aircraft completing bombing runs before being shot down. Squadron Leader Trent, whose leadership was instrumental in ensuring the bombing run was completed, was awarded the Victoria Cross. Trent shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 with the forward machine guns of his plane. Immediately afterwards, his own aircraft was hit, went into a spin and broke up. Squadron Leader Trent and his navigator were thrown clear and became prisoners. He had displayed cool, unflinching courage in the face of overwhelming odds.
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After his capture, Trent was assigned to Stalag Luft III; Sagan, Germany (now Zagan, Poland). He participated in the "Great Escape" of March 24, 1944; although he was recaptured shortly thereafter. Trent survived the war in a POW camp. He later achieved the rank of Group Captain; retiring in 1965. Rejoining the Royal Air Force, he trained in jets, (having the dubious distinction of having to eject from a Vampire and a Meteor), and later commanded 214 Squadron with the then new Vickers Valiants. He became a Group Captain, and Air Attaché to Washington, before returning to New Zealand with his wife and two daughters. A biography, Venturer Courageous by James Saunders was published by Hutchinson in 1983. He returned to New Zealand and died May 19, 1986 in a hospital in Auckland, New Zealand.
[edit] References
For Valour: The Air VCs. Chaz Bowyer. Grub Street. 1992
[edit] External links
- New Zealand Troops who have won the Victoria Cross (brief biography details)
