Operation: Ferry Flight

Date: 30th of December 1942 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 159 Squadron (motto: Quo non, quando non - Whither not, When not?) 170 Wing, 221 Group

Type: Liberator II

Serial: AL520

Code: -

Base: Salbani, India

Location: Transjordan, Jordan (1)

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Allan Carlyle Feisst NZ/405244 RNZAF Age 23. Killed

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Robert Thomas Cyril Dixon 1053662 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

Nav: P/O.. Alexander Ian Mcfarlane J/18750 (R/74318) RCAF Age 21. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Gordon Vincent Brooks NZ/39876 RNZAF Age 19. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Ronald Herbert Fitchett NZ/41620 Age 21/ Killed

Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Jack Henry NZ/403449 RNZAF Age 20. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Reginald James Grimmitt 1311812 RAFVR Age 20. Killed

We would like to acknowledge Medals Reunited of New Zealand for bringing this loss to our attention

REASON FOR LOSS:

Ferry flight from England to Karachi, India.

The aircraft was part of No 159 Squadron RAF, based at Salbani, India. He took off from Palestine and in cloud over Transjordan the aircraft flew into a hill near El Qutem (the approximate position is 3218N:3637E), near the Syrian border, east-northeast of Amman. Sadly all eight crew members, four of whom were New Zealanders, were killed. Alan Feisst was aged 23

Initially the crew were buried at the crash site. But due tolack of access and inability to maintain the crew remembered on the Alamein Memorial. It was not until the 1959's that the remains of the crew were recovered and buried in a collective grave at the Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery.

The four NZ airman airmen were presented with wallets from the Cambridge branch of the Patriotic Committee. It was reported in the Waikato Independent newspaper on the 26th of April 1941,

Burial and other details:

Fl/Sgt. Allan Carlyle Feisst. Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery. Collective grave Q. 126-127. Born on the 27th December 1919 in Cambridge, Waikato, New Zealand. Educated at Hamilton Technical College and left age 15. Worked on his father’s farm at Fencourt, before taking a job in a bush saw mill at Waotu. From here he worked in several saw mills in both the North and South Islands. When he applied to enlist as aircrew he noted his current employment on that date, the 23rd of January 1940, as being at the Government timber treating plant in Rotorua. He was a keen deer stalker and first class shot. Alan’s brother, Raymond Charles Feisst NZ/4215150 was also on active service in the RNZAF. (Died on the 17th September 2006, age 83) Another brother Clive Robert Feisst served in the NZ Army 66815 (died 31st October 1985, age 70)

Alan joined the RNZAF on the 22nd of December 1940 when he began the Initial Training Wing course at RNZAF Levin. Following this he became one of the first RNZAF pilots to go through the Elementary Flying Training School at Whenuapai in Auckland, starting there on the 9th of February 1941. He learned to fly in DH82 Tiger Moth trainers on this station. He was then ready to travel to Canada to complete his training.

But before shipping out, Alan and fellow newly trained Cambridge airmen Sgt James Ritchie, LAC Ken Law (2) and LAC Tom Peak returned to Cambridge for an official farewell. This function took place on the 24th of April 1941 in the Cambridge Town Hall's Council Chamber. This was officiated over by the Mayor, Mr Edgar James, who was reported to have said of these young men, 'We are proud of these lads and the other New Zealand airmen who have gone ahead of them to do such great work overseas.'

Above L-R: Fl/Sgt. Allan Feisst, Sgt. Ronald Fitchett, P/O.. Alexander Mcfarlaned, Sgt. Gordon Brooks and Sgt. Reginald Grimmitt

The attendance was one of the largest that had gathered at such a function, said Mr James, but it was only a fraction of the people of the district who would have liked to be present. On behalf of the people of Cambridge he wished the guests of honour the best of luck and a safe return to Cambridge."

On the 29th of April 1941, the four Cambridge lads and their comrades left Auckland aboard the ship 'Awatea' bound for Canada. Jim Ritchie would carry on to England, whilst the other three went on to complete their training in Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Alan arrived at No. 12 Service Flying Training School at Brandon, Manitoba on the 17th of May 1941 to begin advanced training. Alan gained his wings there and was promoted to Sergeant on the 8th of August 1941.

On the 14th of August he made his way to No. 1 "Y" Depot at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he embarked on a troopship for Britain. On arrival on British soil on the 15th of September 1941, he was posted to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre at Bournemouth, where he spent a month unengaged in work, before his next posting. This came on the 14th of October when he joined No. 11 Operational Training Unit at Bassingbourn in Hertfordshire.

At the OTU he crewed up and they trained together in Wellington bombers. Alan then flew to the Middle East in May 1942, but was slightly injured in a raid, and later sat for six weeks in Malta while the runway was repaired before he returned to the UK. On the 1st of July 1942 Alan was promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant.

On the 23rd of July 1942 Alan was posted to No. 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit at Marston Moor, Yorkshire where he and his crew converted to Consolidated Liberators.

Alan joined No. 159 Squadron, and he was to operate Liberators with the squadron in India. On the transit journey Alan's aircraft was lost and he and his crew perished in the crash. Little more seems to be recorded of his operational career in the Middle East because it seems his log book was destroyed in the crash.

Son of Robert Herbert (died 05 January 1976, aged 86) and Jeanie Mary Feisst (née Leaning - died 18th December 1964 age 75), of Cambridge, Auckland, New Zealand.

Fl/Sgt. Robert Thomas Cyril Dixon . Damacus Commonwealth War Cemetery Collective grave Q. 126-127. Son of John William and Agnes Dixon. Husband of Sheila Margaret Dixon. Epitaph: 'They Lived In Freedom They Died For Freedom The Free Remember Them'.

Sgt. Gordon Vincent Brooks. Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery Collective grave Q. 126-127. Born at Greymouth on the 03rd September 1921 and received his secondary education at the West Christchurch District High. Employed by the H.W.A. Manufacturing Company Limited, at Christchurch, when applying for enlistment in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, on the 3rd October 1939. was enlisted at Wigram on the 25th October 1939 for training as a Wireless Operator. After completing the course early in February 1940, he served there in this capacity until embarking on the 24th July for the United Kingdom.

Arrived at No.1 Depot Uxbridge, on the 5th September and proceeded to No.17 Operational Training Unit, Upwood, Huntingdonshire, on the 9th of the same month, for duty as a Wireless Operator. Late in August 1941, he was posted to No.2 Signals School, Yatesbury, Wiltshire, and then on the 14th September to No.5 Air Observer School, Jurby, Isle of Man.

Here, on the 4th October, he was awarded the Wireless Operator Air Gunner badge, and posted

Later in the month to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire, for crewing up and training on Wellington bomber aircraft. On the 9th April 1942, he proceeded to No.15 Operational Training Unit, Harwell, Berkshire, for embarkation overseas, and arrived in Egypt on the 28th of the month. Returned to the United Kingdom in July, arriving at No.2 Personnel Despatch Centre, Wilmslow, on the 15th of the month. On the ist August he was posted to No.1653 Conversion Unit, Snaith, Yorkshire, and then on the 21st December to No. 159 Squadron in India.

Son of Charles Robert Walton Brooks (died 20th February 1974, age 80) and of Isabel May Brooks (née Heenan - died 16th April 1985, age 89) , of 252 Selwyn Street, Spreydon, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.

P/O. Alexander Ian Mcfarlane. Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery. Collective grave Q. 126-127. Born on the 01st Oct 1921 in Ottawa , Ontario, Canada. Enlisted on the 21st October 1940. Son of Alexander Thomas McFarlane (died 28th May 1987, age 96) and Lillian Marceline McFarlane (née Iverson - died 1976, age 84), of 19 First Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Epitaph: 'Even Now We See Him Smiling His Good-Bye, Leaving Us Forever, Far Away To Die'.

Sgt. Ronald Herbert Fitchet. Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery. Collective grave Q. 126-127. Born on the 11th October 1921 in Mangaweka, Whanganui, New Zealand. Educated at the Seddon Memorial Technical College. Worked as a motor trade and was employed by Armstrong and Company Limited, Whakatane, when applying for enlistment in aircrew, on the 5th July 1940. Enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, on the 19th January 1941 and embarked for Canada on the 27th February, to train under the Empire Air Training Scheme. Shortly after arrival there, he proceeded to No.3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, and then on the 4th August to No.4 Bombing andGunnery School, Fingal, Ontario. At this latter Station, he was awarded the Wireless Operator Air Gunner badge and promoted to Sergeant on the 1st September, before posting to No.1 "y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Arrived at No.3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, on the 28th September, and commenced an advanced signals course at Yatesbury, Wiltshire, early in October.

On completing this, he was posted on the 25th November, to No.11 Operational Training Unit, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire, then on the 5th January 1942, to No.21 Operational Training Unit, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, for crewing up and completion of his training on Wellington bomber aircraft.

During May he proceeded to the Middle East, by air as a member of the crew of an aircraft on a delivery flight, and returned by sea, arriving in the United Kingdom on the 15th July.

Late the same month he commenced a conversion course at No. 1652 Conversion Unit, Marston Moor, Yorkshire, for conversion to Liberator aircraft, before posting on the 29th September to No.159 Squadron at Snaith, Yorkshire. With the squadron, he proceeded by air to India during December.

Son of William and Elfrieda Fitchett, of,Wanganui, Wellington, New Zealand.

Fl/Sgt. Jack Henry . Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery. Collective grave Q. 126-127. Born on the 24th January 1922 in Petone,W ellington, New Zealand. Educated at Petone Technical College. Employed in the Railway Workshops at Lower Hutt. Enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, on the 29th september 1940, and embarked for Canada early in November, for training under the Empire air Training Scheme. Shortly after arrival there, he was posted on the 21st of the month to No.2 Wireless School, Calgary, Alberta, and then, late in April 1941, to No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, MacDonald, Manitoba, Canada.

Awarded the Wireless Operator Air Gunner badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant on the 26th May. Later, while serving in the United Kingdom, he was promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 1st September 1941. Meantime, late in May 1941, he had proceeded to No. 1 "I" Depot, Debert, Nova Scotia, for embarkation to the United Kingdom. Flight Sergeant Henry arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, on the 17th July, and was posted during the same month to No.1 Signal School, Cranwell, Lincolnshire, for a merresher course. on the 11th love, he proceeded to No.11 Operational Training Unit, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire, for crewing up and completion of his training on Wellington bomber aircraft.

During May 1942 he embarked for the Middle East, but returned to the United Kingdom in July, when he was posted to No. 1653 Conversion Unit, Snaith, Yorkshire, for conversion to Liberator four-engined aircraft. on the 23rd December 1942, he embarked for the Far last as a member of the crew of a Liberator aircraft.

Son of Robert Francis (died 07th October 1956, age 78) and Ida Henry (née Hunter - died 13th November 1951, age 67), of Muri Road, Petone, Wellington, New Zealand. Epitaph: 'For Evermore: Stories Of The Fallen'.

Sgt. Reginald James Grimmitt. Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery. Collective grave Q. 126-127. orn on the 25th May 1922 in Laverton, Gloucestershire. Educated at Laverton and Stanton village schools leaving at the age of 14. Employed to as an under keeper for Mr. C T Scott on the Buckland Manor estate. For some years he was a chorister at St. Michael's church and was a well known member of the Buckland cricket club. He was a member of the Laverton and Dumbleton Men's Club, and was always ready to help or subscribe to any function in aid of a worthy cause.

In November 1939 at aged 17 he volunteered to join the RAFVR serving in Bomber Command. On successful completion of his training, primarily as a gunner but doubling up as a navigator and bomb aimer, he was promoted to Sergeant and served in a Squadron of Vickers Wellington Bombers. Seeing active service on many sorties he survived two air crashes when the plane he was in suffered difficulties. They are both extraordinary crashes for different reasons.

The first crash was on returning from an operation when the aircraft came down over the English countryside. Successfully landing the plaaircraftne without casualties the pilot had no idea precisely where they were. After the pilot consulted his crew Jim quickly identified their location as in the hills above Laverton and Buckland. Jim led the crew to Laverton and his home next door to the village shop. Imagine the surprise that Mr. Grimmitt had on answering the door at night to find Jim and crew on the doorstep. Young Ronald was in awe at seeing these crew members in his home in full flying gear drinking cups of tea. Contacting base by the village telephone box next to the school they were subsequently collected and returned to base. Later Ron was to learn that it had been an escape and evasion exercise Jim did as part of the crews training! It was only noteworthy in that the exercise scenario was played out in the hills above Jim's home village Laverton.

The second crash happened some time later and was for real this time. Returning on an operation that the aircraft must have been damaged by enemy fire his aircraft went down in the North Sea/ English Channel. Miraculously Jim was saved by a passing vessel and I would imagine there were few survivors as the chance of survival in the dark, in the sea would be a matter of some minutes. He was taken back to shore somewhere and handed over to the local police and subsequently issued a travel warrant to return to base by train.

During a short leave following the incident he related the event to his brother, Ronald, saying that all he remembered of his survival was being hauled out of the water by a hook! Ronald was sworn to secrecy about this by Jim as he did not want to distress his parents and thought he might have got into trouble with his Mum as she did not want him to volunteer in the first place. True to his brother's wishes and to my knowledge Ronald never told anyone about it until he told his own son many years later.

Jim went on to complete further missions amounting to possibly some 30 in all which at the time was considered your fair share. The death rate in Bomber Command crews at the time was in excess of 40% and in recognition of his record and amazing survival at sea he was transferred to

159 Squadron whose mission was to support the war in Burma. The squadron was equipped with Liberator Il aircraft and Jim served in North Africa and Burma. Some months later Mr. and Mrs. Grimmitt received formal notification from the Ministry, of Jim's death. In the letter were 3 medals (War Medal 1939-45, Africa Star, Burma Star)

Son of Reginald and Eileen Lily Grimmitt, of Laverton, Worcestershire. Epitaph: 'As Time Rolls On We Miss You More. Mum, Dad And Ron'.

(1) Transjordan, also known as the East Bank[1] or the Transjordanian Highlands. Sharq al ʾUrdun, lit. 'East of the Jordan'), is the part of the Southern Levant east of the Jordan River, mostly contained in present-day Jordan

(2) James Robertson Grant Ritchie NZ/403988. PoW No. 24390 Camp, Stalag Luft Heydekrug - L6 . (died 18th August 2011, age 90). Kenneth Oscar Law NZ/ Later DFM (died 25th February 1958, age just 41) His brother Sgt. Donald Newsham Law NZ/404382 was killed on the 19th October 1941, age 23. Further details here.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, New Zealand Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, National Archive.s Kew, Wings Over Cambridge. Medals Re-united of New Zealand. Government of Canada WW2 Service Records. Paradie RCAF Archives. Stanley Grimmitt nephew of Sgt. Grimmitt. The IBCC at Lincoln

Other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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