No. 41 Squadron RNZAF 1944–1977
‘They spoke - and it was done’.
By WGCDR (Retired) Geoff Parkinson, Past Commanding Officer, 41 SQN
No. 41 Squadron was better known throughout the Pacific and Asia than in New Zealand. It was formed in 1944 at Whenuapai in response to the heavy demands of supplying men and material to New Zealand forces during the World War II Pacific campaign. However, for 22 years, from 1955, the Squadron was based in Singapore—initially at Royal Air Force (RAF) Changi then, from 1971, RAF/RSAF Tengah—with attachments to other areas as circumstances required. This was the longest period of continuous service overseas ever undertaken (then or since) by a New Zealand military unit.
Men on a mission
The Squadron was equipped with a range of aircraft; Lodestar and Hudsons initially, then the renowned Dakota, in turn, replaced by Hastings and Bristol Freighters from 1951 (the Hastings were passed to the reformed No. 40 SQN in 1953). Iroquois (UH1D) helicopters joined the Freighters in 1971 and provided excellent short-range support to ANZUK Force and then NZ Force, SE Asia. On disbandment, the Freighters returned to New Zealand for later disposal (the Iroquois flight and support functions became RNZAF Support Unit, Singapore).
No doubt many other memories will occur to ex-Squadron members, but all would acknowledge that the key to the Squadron’s continued success was its personnel. The aircrew were well trained but, equally important, was the range of very competent ground staff needed to support flying activities. The various trades included airframe, engines, instruments, safety and surface, radio, mess staff, administration, accounts and supply, medics, etc—a pool of skill without which the unit could not have met its tasks.
Today No. 41 Squadron is but a memory. However, there are various symbols still to be seen—a Bristol Freighter (NZ 5903), resplendent in the camouflage of its latter years, is cared for in the Air Force Museum at Wigram. The museum also houses Dakota NZ 3551 in its No. 42 SQN, VIP fit-out (the Queen flew in this aircraft during a Royal Tour). This aircraft also served earlier with No. 41 SQN from 1945–53, and made many flights to Japan in support of J Force.
The intricately carved Gate of Welcome—presented by the Maori Queen to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Unit, and which was a focal point at Changi and then Tengah—is now the gate through which passengers pass on arrival at Whenuapai. And a real treasure—the Squadron Colour, awarded in 1972—is laid up in the chapel at RNZAF Base Auckland.
Twenty-five years ago on 6 December 1977, No. 41 (Transport) SQN, RNZAF was disbanded at the Tengah Air Base of the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
Although support flights were often the norm, the Unit was also engaged on operations, particularly during the Malayan Emergency and the Confrontation with Indonesia (in Borneo). In these conflicts, the Unit flew more operational missions than any RNZAF Squadron since WW II, and had the last RNZAF aircraft to be damaged by hostile fire (NZ5906 in Borneo, 1965), sadly losing the last RNZAF crew to be killed on operations (SQNLDR Tie, FGOFF Devescovi and FGOFF Nelson, while on a supply drop mission in the Cameron Highlands, Malaya, in December 1956).
The No. 41 SQN motto was;
‘Korero Ka Oti’—‘Speak and it shall be done’.
A fitting epitaph to reflect the deeds over 33 years of memorable service would be;
‘They spoke - and it was done’.
Noteworthy recollections
Embarking for Malaya
A detailed record is better left to historians. However, the ‘potted’ Squadron history and recollections from No. 41 SQN Association newsletters and other papers disclose some noteworthy events:
- 1945—a special flight was formed in Singapore, after the Japanese surrendered, to assist quick repatriation of ex-prisoners of war, with some Dakotas fitted out as air ambulances (they returned 156 sick personnel by October 1945).
- 1947—the Unit ceased providing post-war internal flights for civilian passengers (as well as undertaking military tasks). NAC took over.
- 1949—three crews flew in the ‘Berlin Airlift’ (the Berlin Coalmen). Later that year, a flight of three Dakota aircraft was detached to RAF Station, Changi, for transport support tasks around SE Asia and, later, supply dropping during the Emergency.
- 1955—the Squadron deployed to Singapore to become part of the RAF Far East Air Force. Military tasks involved aircraft and crews in regional tensions and conflict over the years, including:
- Korea, Malaya Emergency
- Thai/Malaya border confrontation
- Operation Scorpion and the Vietnam conflict.
- 1971—Iroquios Flight formed.
- 1975—a Freighter was one of the last aircraft to depart Tan Son Nhut (carrying the New Zealand Ambassador, some staff and refugees), immediately prior to the fall of Saigon.
- 1976—the Sultan of Johore presented a mounted eagle to No. 41 SQN in appreciation of the many tasks flown by Iroquois in support of the State Government.
- 1977—disbandment ceremonies were preceded by a tribute to fallen comrades. The Freighter aircraft flew in formation over the Cameron Highlands crash site and dropped a wreath to honour those who had perished.