Catalogue
Catalogue
Object Type
Name/Title
Notes on my Wartime Activities in the 1939/45 War
Primary Maker
Date
1939-1946
Physical Description
Level of Current Record
Single Item
Subject Notes
Flight Lieutenant Phil Langsford was called up for active duty on 3 September 1939 and attached to the 9th Heavy Regiment Coastal Defence in Auckland. He transferred to the Air Force as Aircrew in 1940 and joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) at Levin in April, 1941. In June 1941 he travelled to Canada on the ship 'Aorangi' to train as a wireless operator, and in mid-1942 travelled to England on the 'Norwegeian'. He was attached to No. 16 Operational Training Unit at Upper Heyford, flying Wellington bombers. On 25 August 1942 he transferred to No. 76 Conversion Flight at Middleton St. George. In 1942 he took part in the Genoa raid where his aircraft had to ditch off the Spanish coast. In March 1943 he joined 78 Squadron and took part in raids over Berlin and Keil. In April 1943 his plane was shot down whilst on a raid to Pilson, Czechoslovakia, and he became a POW. He returned to New Zealand in late October 1945 and was demobbed in January 1946.
Last Update
07 Jul 2023
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