Some RNZAF History

RNZAF History

by CPL Pecqueux

Multiple Choice

When did WW2 Start

• 1940

• 1941

• 1939

• 1938

​The beginning of RNZAF

​All began from two flying school part-funded

by the British Government, trained 250 pilots for service with the Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force. New Zealand then asked for tips on how to create an air force from Britain. It was recommended that the establishment of a Permanent Air Force of 79 officers, 299 airmen, and a Territorial Force of 174 officers and 1060 airmen. unfortunately, New Zealand was too poor to do that and therefore waited until 1937 to do so.

WAAF

Women

​Auxilary

​Air

​Force

​

​The Women Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) was established during 1941. Over 4700 WAAFs served in the RNZAF during WWII.

​The beginning of WW2

​From the beginning to the end of WW2, around 1944, The RNZAF did not have a specific task around the Pacifique except to help the United States remove the Japon forces around the Salomon island. The United States cooperated with the RNZAF by helping them get planes such as Corsairs, Venturas, Avengers, Dauntless Dive Bombers and Catalinas.

​Going all in

​During 1944, the RNZAF operations in the South-West Pacific were mainly concentrated on Bougainville, with strikes against Japanese forces there, and at their major base at Rabaul [New Britain]. Fighter sweeps and escorting of Allied bombers was the main task of the New Zealand Fighter Wing. The Bomber Reconnaissance squadrons patrolled the sea lanes and coastal shores of Japanese held islands and carried out bombing raids on Japanese installations.

6 squadron

Main Roles during the War:

​Close Air support

​Maritime patrol

​

Aircraft types:

​Hawker Hind,

North American Harvard, Consolidated PBY Catalina

The RNZAF Participation in the Vietnam war.

No.41 Squadron with Freighters established itself at Changi (Singapore)

in 1958. Which gave a huge advantage for re-supply of provisions during the Vietnam War starting from 1962. The primary contribution of the RNZAF in the Vietnam war is from the No.40 and No 41 squadron. Providing troop transport for the Australians, New Zealanders and American troops.

​The Antartic Flight

The RNZAF participated in the Trans-Antarctic Expedition by ​forming the Antarctic flight in 1956.

Those expeditions were done every summer until 1960. The RNZAF recommenced its association with the Antarctic in 1965 when a Hercules of No.40 Squadron made the first of what was to become annual flights, to the continent during the summer months from November - February each year.

Fill in the Blank

How many pilots were there at the very beginning of the RNZAF?

Multiple Choice

When did the Antarctic flight occur?

• 1957

• 1856

• 1956

• 1949

Multiple Choice

Did NZ participate in the Vietnam War?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

When was 6 squdron o the RNZAF formed?

• 1913

• 1914

• 1934

• 1854

Multiple Select

Which squadron participated in the Vietnam War?

• No.40

• No.6

• No.30

• No.41

Fill in the Blank

When was the WAAF created?

Multiple Choice

How many women served in the WAAF?

• Under 1000

• Around 4200

• Over 4700

• 3984

​The End

​Who wants to play hang man?