No. 489 Squadron RNZAF

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489 (NZ) Squadron was formed from pilots of the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 12 August 1941 under RAF Coastal Command as an anti-submarine and reconnaissance unit at RAF Leuchars with Bristol Beauforts.

As Beauforts were in short supply, they were supplemented and eventually replaced by the earlier Bristol Blenheim Bolingbrokes. These were used over Norway. The Squadron converted to Handley Page Hampdens in April and became a dedicated torpedo bomber unit in August 1942. She squadron re-equppied with Bristol Beaufighters, in either August 1942 or October 1943 ^[1] Beaufighters were used to attack shipping in the North Sea and along the coast of Occupied Europe, Northern Germany and Scandinavia. From April 1944 it formed part of the Anzac Strike wing. It also flew air sea rescue missions, escorted convoys and continued anti-submarine work. The squadrons last operational mission in Europe was flown off the Norwegian coast on May 21, 1945. It re-equipped with de Havilland Mosquitoes in June 1945 with a view to moving to the Pacific, but following the collapse of Japan, it was disbanded on 1 August 1945.

The squadron operated out of RAF Leuchars, RAF Thorney Island, RAF Wick, RAF St Eval, RAF Skitten, RAF Langham, RAF Dallachy and RAF Banff. It flew 2,380 sorties and 9,773 hours on operations. Awards were two Distinguished Service Orders, three Distinguished Flying Medals a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal and 19 Distinguished Flying Cross.

The Squadron's Māori motto is Whakatanagata kia kaha, which can roughly be translated as "Be men, Be Strong".

No 489 Squadron aircraft are known to survive, but relics are preserved at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum in Christchurch, New Zealand.

[edit] References

^ Depending on source, the August date matches the switch to torpedo bombing.

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: