No. 488 Squadron RNZAF

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488 Squadron was a squadron formed from New Zealanders trained under the EATS for service during the Second World War under the operational command of the Royal Air Force.

Model Brewster Buffalo of 488 Squadron operating in Singapore at the time of the Battle of Malaya. The dragon insignia is Noel Sharp's personal emblem.
Model Brewster Buffalo of 488 Squadron operating in Singapore at the time of the Battle of Malaya. The dragon insignia is Noel Sharp's personal emblem.

Code Letters = NF (Brewster Buffalos only)

488 (NZ) Squadron formed in September 1941 at Rongotai, New Zealand under squadron leader W.G. Clouston, a veteran of the Battle of France and Battle of Britain with 9 victories to his credit. It arrived at Kallang Airfield Singapore in November 1941 where it was one of several Commonwealth squadrons equipped with Brewster Buffaloes.

When the Japanese attacked, the squadron was still in training and sorting out difficulties with its machines, including dysfunctional oxygen, preventing high altitude flying, weight difficulties which resulted in armour and machine guns being deleted and high maintenance requirements resulting from Brewster's use of worn out ex-airline engines in manufacturing the aircraft.

Frequent air battles over Singapore occurred from 12 January 1942, the Japanese pilots being better trained and outnumbering the defenders, but (despite widespread claims of Mitsubishi Zeros being present), with the exception of a few Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa ("Oscar")s most Japanese fighters and many bombers were in no better condition than the Royal Air Force's, (it is worth noting a kill ratio of 2:1 was claimed by the Buffalo squadrons). As the Buffalo squadrons, (many manned by New Zealanders and Australians) lost men and machines, several were amalgamated into 488 Squadron.

The squadron received 9 Hawker Hurricanes at the end of January to partially replace the Buffalo, but by the 31 January, losses and the ground situation forced a withdrawal to Batavia, where Dutch East Indies Buffalo squadrons were facing a similarly unequal fight. Coulston handed over command to Squadron leader Mackenzie and stayed with remaining staff to become a prisoner when Singapore fell.

On 23 February the squadron evacuated Batavia, to Fremantle in Australia where it disbanded on the 2 March, the New Zealand pilots returning home to form the nucleus of No. 14 Squadron RNZAF. Figures for the squadrons achievements in the Far East are difficult to determine, but one notable pilot, Pilot Officer Noel Sharp, who flew a Brewster Buffalo in Singapore, is credited with three victories.

Contents

[edit] Night Fighter Unit

Code Letters = ME

488 Squadron reformed on 25 June 1942 at RAF Church Fenton, Yorkshire, as a night fighter 'intruder' unit equipped with Bristol Beaufighters. When it switched to a defensive role in August 1943 it reequipped with De Havilland Mosquitoes. In November 1944 the squadron moved to France, and was based in Belgium and Holland in the closing stages of the war. It disbanded on 26 April 1945. [1] In its night fighter incarnation, 488 Squadron flew 2899 sorties, shot down 67 aircraft and, in its intruder role, destroyed 40 trains. Pilots were awarded 5 DFCs, a DSO and an AFC.

The squadron motto is Māori Ka ngarue ratau ("We shake them").

488 Squadron was unique in that it was the only "Article XV" New Zealand unit to have two distinct and separate roles, in different theatres, during World War Two.

[edit] Principal Types Operated

[edit] References

  1. ^ Possibly the top scoring Mosquito of the war was NF Mk XII MM466, ME-R which shot down seven enemy aircraft between July 1944 and November 1944, after which the aircraft was passed on to 409 Sqn., with which it shot down another four. Sharp, Martin C & Bowyer, Michael J F. Mosquito. London, UK: Faber and Faber Ltd. 1971. ISBN 0 571 09531 3

[edit] Bibliography

  • Cull, Brian with Paul Sortehaug and Mark Haselden. Buffaloes over Singapore; RAF, RAAF, RNZAF and Dutch Brewster Fighters in Action Over Malaya and the East Indies 1941-1942. London, UK: Grub Street 2003. ISBN 1904010326
  • Shores, Chris & Brian Cull with Yasuho Izawa.Bloody Shambles Vol 1; The Drift to War to the Fall of Singapore. London, UK: Grub Street 1992. ISBN 0-948817-50-X
  • Shores, Chris & Brian Cull with Yasuho Izawa.Bloody Shambles Vol 2; The Defence of Sumatra to the Fall of Burma. London, UK: Grub Street 1993. ISBN 0-948817-67-4

[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: