No. 487 Squadron RNZAF
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| 487 Squadron (RNZAF) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1942 |
| Role | Bomber |
| Garrison/HQ | ? |
| Motto | Ki te mutunga (Māori: "Staying until it ends" |
| Equipment | Ventura, Mosquito(WW2) |
| Battle honours | ? |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
A tekoteko holding a bomb |
No. 487 Squadron was a New Zealand bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force which served in the European theatre during World War II.
Contents |
[edit] History
Squadron Code Letters = EG
487 Squadron was formed as a day bomber unit on Lockheed Venturas, with Royal New Zealand Air Force pilots, at Feltwell, Norfolk on 15 August 1942. The Ventura, an update of the Lockheed Hudson, acquired a poor reputation in Europe, as its performance was not really in the same league as British and German aircraft of the period.
Operations began in December, over the Netherlands. They included a raid on the Phillips factory at Eindhoven, and a power station in which the squadron suffered losses. A Ramroad raid (one to be continued regardless of losses), against Amsterdam on 3 May 1943 resulted in the loss of all but one Ventura, (the survivor having turned back with mechanical problems before crossing the coast). Squadron Leader Leonard Trent won the Victoria Cross for his leadership in this raid. He later took part in the "Great Escape".
Following this disaster, 487 Squadron was reequipped with De Havilland Mosquito bombers in August 1943. No 487 was transferred to the 2nd TAF on 1 June 1943 and in August it began to receive Mosquito FB VIs. On 18 February 1944 the squadron took part in the raid on the Amiens prison (Operation Jericho), destroying a wall and enabling over a hundred Resistance prisoners, scheduled for execution, to escape. On 31 October 1944 the squadron destroyed the Gestapo headquarters at Aarhus resulting in the loss of German intelligence records about Resistance activities. In February 1945 the Squadron shifted to liberated Europe. The Gestapo headquarters in Copenhagen received the same treatment on 21 March.
No. 487 Squadron was disbanded in September 1945 (its aircraft and those of its New Zealand aircrew who wished to remain became No. 16 Squadron RAF and No. 268 Squadron RAF).
The Squadron's Māori motto is "Ki te mutunga", which can be translated as 'Staying till it ends'. The Squadron code was 'EG'.
[edit] Surviving Aircraft
One largely complete 487 Squadron aircraft is known to survive, DeHavilland Mosquito FB. VI HR339, (later NZ2382) flew with 487 Squadron in the latter part of 1944 and early 1945. The wings and fuselage aft of the leading edge are with the Ferrymead Aeronautical Society, Christchurch, who are making a composite reconstruction with NZ2328. Some mementos can be seen at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum.
[edit] Written material
Operation Jericho is described by Jack Fishman's book "And the Walls Came Tumbling Down" MacMillan 1983. A Biography of Leonard Trent is "Venturer Corageous" by James Saunders. Official New Zealand History:
- Thompson, H L, Wing Commander. New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force (Vol I): European Theatre September 1939-December 1942. Wellington, NZ: War History Branch, Department of Internal Affairs 1953. ISBN N/A
- Thompson, H L, Wing Commander. New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force (Vol II): European Theatre January 1943- December 1945. Wellington, NZ: War History Branch, Department of Internal Affairs 1956. ISBN N/A
[edit] A note on New Zealand Squadrons in the RAF
It is now largely accepted that World War II squadrons of the Royal Air Force manned by New Zealanders are recorded by the formulation 488(NZ) Squadron RAF. However some authors (e.g. Bill Gunston), have used the formulation 488 squadron RNZAF. The latter is misleading. RNZAF units were a separate entity, formed and controlled entirely by the RNZAF; all RNZAF units operated in the Pacific Theatre.
On December 19 1939 Article XV was promulgated, creating the Empire Air Training Scheme. Under this article provision was made for the formation of Commonwealth squadrons within the RAF. On 17 April 1941 a further agreement was negotiated allowing for six New Zealand Squadrons to be formed: 485 Sqn., 486 Sqn., 487 Sqn., 488 Sqn., 489 Sqn. and 490 Sqn. These units were manned and (mostly) commanded by New Zealanders trained under the EATS. provisions, although this didn't preclude other nationalities from being members. Administratively the "Article XV" Squadrons were an integral part of the RAF, with all command appointments being made by the RAF. Other Dominion or Commonwealth countries involved were Australia and Canada, along with Rhodesia and South Africa.
Many New Zealanders served with mainstream RAF squadrons and several were to become Wing Commanders and Group Captains. Two outstanding New Zealanders to play a vital role in the war, and two of the best commanders in aviation history were Sir Keith Park and Sir Arthur Coningham.
Australian site on Article XV:
Canadian site on Article XV:
New Zealand site on article XV: http://www.airforce.mil.nz/about-us/history/wwii.htm
