75 Squadron

Ake Ake Kia Kaha (For Ever and Ever Be Strong)
     
Pilot Officer

Noel Unwin NZ427347 RNZAF

Noel began his training at the "Pine Plantation" Gisborne, (The Air Defence Unit).

All the aircrew trainees eventually assembled at De-Bretts Hotel Rotorua
and attended lectures in various halls around Rotorua.

He was posted to the Ashburton airforce base, where he trained and soloed on Tiger Moths.
He re-mustered as a navigator. Training continued at Rongatai and Rukuhia (Mystery Creek).

After final leave, Noel embarked with other trainees on the ship 'New Amsterdam'
sailing to San Francisco - then a 5-day train journey to Toronto, Canada, with hundreds of others
training under the Empire Training Scheme.

Training continued at Portage La Prarie in the various sections
from November 1943 to April 1944.
After graduation, he sailed on the 'Ile De France' to Liverpool, UK,
and posted to West Freugh, where the navigators trained on Ansons.

Avro Anson XII
He later transferred to Oakley, crewing-up on Wellingtons with night+day exercises in advanced navigation.

Cartoon of the Bomber Crew
drawn by
Frank Rhodes
(mid-upper gunner).
As navigator, Noel's crew were...
Monty Adamson (Skipper), Ken Mitchell (Bomb Aimer),
Frank Rhodes (Mid-Upper Gunner),
Jack Fisher (Wireless Operator), Reg Smith (Rear Gunner),
John Palmer (Flight Engineer).
Trained and now crewed-up, the team were posted to North Luffenham, then to 75 Squadron NZRAF Mepal.
Their first bombing raid took place 9th.Feb.1945,
on targets around Hohenbuo Berg, flying Lancasters.
Noel returned to New Zealand and took up farming at Rangiahua, Wairoa, Hawke's Bay.
Noel and the old crew, like many others, formed a bond
through those dark days and always kept in touch.
This photo was taken at one of their last get-togethers at Te Puke, January 1983.
Reg Smith (Rear Gunner) and Monty Adamson (Skipper) are now deceased.
Sadly, Noel passed away at the Hawkes Bay Regional Hospital Wed.18th.August 2004.