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Alan Peart

Alan McGregor Peart, DFC (25 July 1922 – 5 September 2018) was a New Zealand fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War. He served in Europe with No. 610 Squadron, and with No. 81 Squadron in North Africa, Malta, Sicily, Italy and the Far East. He is credited with the destruction of six enemy aircraft, plus a share in another aircraft destroyed. He is also notable for having shot down aircraft from all three main Axis powers—Germany, Italy and Japan.

Alan Peart
Alan Peart standing beside his Spitfire Mk.VIII, No 81 Squadron, Ceylon, circa 1944
Born(1922-07-25)25 July 1922
Nelson, New Zealand
Died5 September 2018(2018-09-05) (aged 96)
Hamilton, New Zealand
AllegianceNew Zealand
Service/branchRoyal New Zealand Air Force
Years of service1941–1945
RankFlight lieutenant
UnitNo. 610 Squadron
No. 81 Squadron
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross

Early life edit

Alan McGregor Peart was born in Nelson, New Zealand, on 25 July 1922.[1] He was educated at the Hamilton Technical High School, and played rugby. After completing his schooling, he worked as a draughting cadet at the Tauranga branch of the Department of Public Works.[2] He also served in the Territorial Force, as a private in the Hauraki Battalion.[3]

Second World War edit

Peart joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in May 1941.[4] According to his memoirs, he was selected to be trained as a bomber pilot but protested to the commander of the flying school. He successfully advocated that he be sent for training as a fighter pilot instead.[5] After completing his training, he was sent to England to serve with the Royal Air Force.[4] He received further flight training at Hullavington and then proceeded to No. 55 Operational Training Unit at Annan in Scotland, learning to operate the Hawker Hurricane fighter.[6]

In June 1942, Peart was posted to No. 610 Squadron with the rank of sergeant pilot. Commanded by Squadron Leader Johnnie Johnson, the squadron operated the Supermarine Spitfire fighter. He was involved in numerous sorties to continental Europe, including providing aerial cover for the Dieppe Raid in August, until November when he was transferred to No. 81 Squadron, at the time based in Algeria and operating Spitfire Vbs from Maison Blanche, near Algiers.[4][7]

Mediterranean edit

On 1 December, Peart destroyed an Italian Savoia-Marchetti SM.84 bomber over Bone Harbour and damaged another. On 31 December he damaged a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter while flying the personal aircraft of Wing Commander Petrus Hugo. The following year, the squadron's Spitfire Vbs were replaced by the superior Spitfire IX. By this time Peart had been commissioned and was now a pilot officer. On 23 April 1943, he damaged a Bf 109 and two days later destroyed another near Medjez-el-Bab. Soon afterwards, the squadron shifted to the island of Malta and began flying operations to Sicily and Italy as the Italian campaign commenced. Some of the squadron's Spitfires had to be exchanged with the older Spitfire Vcs.[4][8]

During the invasion of Sicily on 10 July, No. 81 Squadron helped protect the landings.[8] While on patrol on 16 July, No. 81 Squadron encountered a dozen Bf 109s; Peart damaged one of them, when flying one of the older Spitfire Vcs. A few days later, the squadron began operating from Sicily itself.[8][9] While escorting Douglas Boston bombers over the Gulf of Saint Euphemia on 28 August, Peart, back in a Spitfire IX, was among eight Spitfires that fended off an attack by a group of Bf 109s, destroying one of them in the process.[4][10] On 13 September, when leading a flight of six Spitfires, he helped two other pilots destroy one of three Dornier Do 217 bombers attacking Allied shipping near the beachhead at Salerno. Afterwards he had to land at Salerno due to an overheating engine. He caught a ride back on a Douglas C47 transport back to his airfield.[11]

Burma edit

In November 1943, No. 81 Squadron was transferred to India, re-equipped with Spitfire VIIIs. It arrived at the front, at Imphal, in January the following year.[11] The Japanese invaded India on 4 February and the squadron sought to achieve air superiority, flying forward to temporary airstrips from which they operated during the day, returning to Imphal at night.[12] On 13 February, Peart damaged two Nakajima Ki-43 fighters, known as Oscars.[4] In March 1944, Peart was one of six pilots sent with their aircraft to an airstrip, named Broadway, in the jungle to support the operations of the Chindits. The following day, 30 Japanese Oscar fighters attacked the airstrip but forewarned, the Spitfires were already airborne and able to shoot down four of the enemy aircraft plus damaged others. Three days later, on 16 March, the Spitfires intercepted a group of Oscars, with Peart destroying one and damaging another. Poor weather later in the day saw the Spitfires fly to Imphal, returning the next day. On landing, they were surprised by several enemy fighters. Four of the Spitfires were destroyed and a pilot killed but Peart and his squadron commander took off in time. Both claimed one Oscar each as destroyed. It was decided to abandon the airstrip and provide support for the Chindits from Kangala instead.[13]

The Japanese advance caused No. 81 Squadron to withdraw from Imphal and commence operations from Kumbhirgram, escorting transports into the Imphal valley and endeavouring to maintain air superiority. On 17 April he claimed one Oscar as destroyed and another damaged. He recorded 24 combat patrols for April and 20 for the first two weeks of May before he was withdrawn and sent to take a course at No. 1 Air Fighting Training Unit.[14] In June 1944, Peart's award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) was announced. The citation for his DFC, published in The London Gazette, read:

Flying Officer Peart is a keen and courageous fighter who has destroyed five enemy aircraft and damaged several more. He has taken part in a very large number of sorties and set a fine example of courage and devotion to duty throughout.

— London Gazette, No. 36542, 2 June 1944.[15]

Soon after being awarded the DFC, Peart completed his course and returned to No. 81 Squadron as a qualified instructor. However in August, just over a month after his return, the squadron was withdrawn to Ceylon for a rest. Peart was posted to India where he took command of a fighter conversion and tactical flight, based at Poona. Due to illness, he was repatriated back to New Zealand in February 1945. On recovering his health, he briefly served as an instructor and was discharged from the RNZAF later that year with the rank of flight lieutenant.[1][16][17] He ended the war credited with the destruction of six enemy aircraft, a share in a seventh destroyed and nine damaged.[4]

Later life edit

Returning to civilian life Peart gained a degree in engineering from the University of New Zealand in 1949.[4] He then worked as a civil engineer for the Ministry of Works. Among the projects he worked on were the construction of the Maraetai Power Station and the Auckland International Airport. He retired in 1982.[1] He was involved in veteran's affair, being the president of the Burma Star Veterans association for a time.[18] In his later years, he wrote a book on his wartime experiences, which was titled From North Africa to the Arakan and published in 2008.[17] He was featured in a documentary film, released in 2018, about the Spitfire. He died on 5 September 2018.[1]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c d Nyika, Ruby (15 September 2018). "Obituary: Alan McGregor Peart, Spitfire ace and civil engineer". Waikato Times. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Fighter Pilot Decorated". Press. No. 24278. 8 June 1944. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  3. ^ HC, Tauranga City Libraries Staff-. "Alan Peart recalls early War years c. 1940". tauranga.kete.net.nz. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Shores & Williams 1994, p. 490.
  5. ^ Peart 2008, pp. 13–20.
  6. ^ Laird & Mackenzie 1997, p. 28.
  7. ^ Laird & Mackenzie 1997, p. 29.
  8. ^ a b c Laird & Mackenzie 1997, p. 30.
  9. ^ Cull, Malizia & Galea 2000, p. 165.
  10. ^ Cull, Malizia & Galea 2000, p. 200.
  11. ^ a b Laird & Mackenzie 1997, p. 32.
  12. ^ Laird & Mackenzie 1997, p. 33.
  13. ^ Thompson 1959, p. 345.
  14. ^ Laird & Mackenzie 1997, p. 35.
  15. ^ "No. 36542". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 June 1944. p. 2534.
  16. ^ Laird & Mackenzie 1997, p. 36.
  17. ^ a b McRae, Andrew (6 September 2018). "World War II Flying Ace Alan Peart Dies". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  18. ^ "Burma veterans to end reunions". New Zealand Herald. 10 August 2004. Retrieved 3 December 2020.

References edit

  • Cull, Brian; Malizia, Nicola; Galea, Frederick (2000). Spitfires Over Sicily: The Crucial Role of the Malta Spitfires in the Battle of Sicily, January–August 1943. London: Grub Street. ISBN 1-902304-32-2.
  • Laird, Malcolm; Mackenzie, Steve (1997). Spitfire: The ANZACs. Classic Warbirds No. 2. Wellington: Ventura Publications. ISBN 0-9583594-1-5.
  • Peart, Alan (2008). North Africa to the Arakan: The Engrossing Memoir of WWII Spitfire Ace Alan McGregor Peart, DFC. London: Grub Street. ISBN 9781906502034.
  • Shores, Christopher; Williams, Clive (1994). Aces High. London: Grub Street. ISBN 1-898697-00-0.
  • Thompson, H. L. (1959). New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force. Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45. Vol. III. Wellington: War History Branch. OCLC 758472141.

External links edit

Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph Record: Alan McGregor Peart

alan, peart, alan, mcgregor, peart, july, 1922, september, 2018, zealand, fighter, pilot, flying, second, world, served, europe, with, squadron, with, squadron, north, africa, malta, sicily, italy, east, credited, with, destruction, enemy, aircraft, plus, shar. Alan McGregor Peart DFC 25 July 1922 5 September 2018 was a New Zealand fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War He served in Europe with No 610 Squadron and with No 81 Squadron in North Africa Malta Sicily Italy and the Far East He is credited with the destruction of six enemy aircraft plus a share in another aircraft destroyed He is also notable for having shot down aircraft from all three main Axis powers Germany Italy and Japan Alan PeartAlan Peart standing beside his Spitfire Mk VIII No 81 Squadron Ceylon circa 1944Born 1922 07 25 25 July 1922Nelson New ZealandDied5 September 2018 2018 09 05 aged 96 Hamilton New ZealandAllegianceNew ZealandService wbr branchRoyal New Zealand Air ForceYears of service1941 1945RankFlight lieutenantUnitNo 610 SquadronNo 81 SquadronBattles warsSecond World War Channel Front North African Campaign Invasion of Sicily Burma CampaignAwardsDistinguished Flying Cross Contents 1 Early life 2 Second World War 2 1 Mediterranean 2 2 Burma 3 Later life 4 Notes 5 References 6 External linksEarly life editAlan McGregor Peart was born in Nelson New Zealand on 25 July 1922 1 He was educated at the Hamilton Technical High School and played rugby After completing his schooling he worked as a draughting cadet at the Tauranga branch of the Department of Public Works 2 He also served in the Territorial Force as a private in the Hauraki Battalion 3 Second World War editPeart joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force RNZAF in May 1941 4 According to his memoirs he was selected to be trained as a bomber pilot but protested to the commander of the flying school He successfully advocated that he be sent for training as a fighter pilot instead 5 After completing his training he was sent to England to serve with the Royal Air Force 4 He received further flight training at Hullavington and then proceeded to No 55 Operational Training Unit at Annan in Scotland learning to operate the Hawker Hurricane fighter 6 In June 1942 Peart was posted to No 610 Squadron with the rank of sergeant pilot Commanded by Squadron Leader Johnnie Johnson the squadron operated the Supermarine Spitfire fighter He was involved in numerous sorties to continental Europe including providing aerial cover for the Dieppe Raid in August until November when he was transferred to No 81 Squadron at the time based in Algeria and operating Spitfire Vbs from Maison Blanche near Algiers 4 7 Mediterranean edit On 1 December Peart destroyed an Italian Savoia Marchetti SM 84 bomber over Bone Harbour and damaged another On 31 December he damaged a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter while flying the personal aircraft of Wing Commander Petrus Hugo The following year the squadron s Spitfire Vbs were replaced by the superior Spitfire IX By this time Peart had been commissioned and was now a pilot officer On 23 April 1943 he damaged a Bf 109 and two days later destroyed another near Medjez el Bab Soon afterwards the squadron shifted to the island of Malta and began flying operations to Sicily and Italy as the Italian campaign commenced Some of the squadron s Spitfires had to be exchanged with the older Spitfire Vcs 4 8 During the invasion of Sicily on 10 July No 81 Squadron helped protect the landings 8 While on patrol on 16 July No 81 Squadron encountered a dozen Bf 109s Peart damaged one of them when flying one of the older Spitfire Vcs A few days later the squadron began operating from Sicily itself 8 9 While escorting Douglas Boston bombers over the Gulf of Saint Euphemia on 28 August Peart back in a Spitfire IX was among eight Spitfires that fended off an attack by a group of Bf 109s destroying one of them in the process 4 10 On 13 September when leading a flight of six Spitfires he helped two other pilots destroy one of three Dornier Do 217 bombers attacking Allied shipping near the beachhead at Salerno Afterwards he had to land at Salerno due to an overheating engine He caught a ride back on a Douglas C47 transport back to his airfield 11 Burma edit In November 1943 No 81 Squadron was transferred to India re equipped with Spitfire VIIIs It arrived at the front at Imphal in January the following year 11 The Japanese invaded India on 4 February and the squadron sought to achieve air superiority flying forward to temporary airstrips from which they operated during the day returning to Imphal at night 12 On 13 February Peart damaged two Nakajima Ki 43 fighters known as Oscars 4 In March 1944 Peart was one of six pilots sent with their aircraft to an airstrip named Broadway in the jungle to support the operations of the Chindits The following day 30 Japanese Oscar fighters attacked the airstrip but forewarned the Spitfires were already airborne and able to shoot down four of the enemy aircraft plus damaged others Three days later on 16 March the Spitfires intercepted a group of Oscars with Peart destroying one and damaging another Poor weather later in the day saw the Spitfires fly to Imphal returning the next day On landing they were surprised by several enemy fighters Four of the Spitfires were destroyed and a pilot killed but Peart and his squadron commander took off in time Both claimed one Oscar each as destroyed It was decided to abandon the airstrip and provide support for the Chindits from Kangala instead 13 The Japanese advance caused No 81 Squadron to withdraw from Imphal and commence operations from Kumbhirgram escorting transports into the Imphal valley and endeavouring to maintain air superiority On 17 April he claimed one Oscar as destroyed and another damaged He recorded 24 combat patrols for April and 20 for the first two weeks of May before he was withdrawn and sent to take a course at No 1 Air Fighting Training Unit 14 In June 1944 Peart s award of the Distinguished Flying Cross DFC was announced The citation for his DFC published in The London Gazette read Flying Officer Peart is a keen and courageous fighter who has destroyed five enemy aircraft and damaged several more He has taken part in a very large number of sorties and set a fine example of courage and devotion to duty throughout London Gazette No 36542 2 June 1944 15 Soon after being awarded the DFC Peart completed his course and returned to No 81 Squadron as a qualified instructor However in August just over a month after his return the squadron was withdrawn to Ceylon for a rest Peart was posted to India where he took command of a fighter conversion and tactical flight based at Poona Due to illness he was repatriated back to New Zealand in February 1945 On recovering his health he briefly served as an instructor and was discharged from the RNZAF later that year with the rank of flight lieutenant 1 16 17 He ended the war credited with the destruction of six enemy aircraft a share in a seventh destroyed and nine damaged 4 Later life editReturning to civilian life Peart gained a degree in engineering from the University of New Zealand in 1949 4 He then worked as a civil engineer for the Ministry of Works Among the projects he worked on were the construction of the Maraetai Power Station and the Auckland International Airport He retired in 1982 1 He was involved in veteran s affair being the president of the Burma Star Veterans association for a time 18 In his later years he wrote a book on his wartime experiences which was titled From North Africa to the Arakan and published in 2008 17 He was featured in a documentary film released in 2018 about the Spitfire He died on 5 September 2018 1 Notes edit a b c d Nyika Ruby 15 September 2018 Obituary Alan McGregor Peart Spitfire ace and civil engineer Waikato Times Retrieved 30 July 2021 Fighter Pilot Decorated Press No 24278 8 June 1944 Retrieved 30 July 2021 HC Tauranga City Libraries Staff Alan Peart recalls early War years c 1940 tauranga kete net nz Retrieved 8 December 2020 a b c d e f g h Shores amp Williams 1994 p 490 Peart 2008 pp 13 20 Laird amp Mackenzie 1997 p 28 Laird amp Mackenzie 1997 p 29 a b c Laird amp Mackenzie 1997 p 30 Cull Malizia amp Galea 2000 p 165 Cull Malizia amp Galea 2000 p 200 a b Laird amp Mackenzie 1997 p 32 Laird amp Mackenzie 1997 p 33 Thompson 1959 p 345 Laird amp Mackenzie 1997 p 35 No 36542 The London Gazette Supplement 2 June 1944 p 2534 Laird amp Mackenzie 1997 p 36 a b McRae Andrew 6 September 2018 World War II Flying Ace Alan Peart Dies Radio New Zealand Retrieved 31 July 2021 Burma veterans to end reunions New Zealand Herald 10 August 2004 Retrieved 3 December 2020 References editCull Brian Malizia Nicola Galea Frederick 2000 Spitfires Over Sicily The Crucial Role of the Malta Spitfires in the Battle of Sicily January August 1943 London Grub Street ISBN 1 902304 32 2 Laird Malcolm Mackenzie Steve 1997 Spitfire The ANZACs Classic Warbirds No 2 Wellington Ventura Publications ISBN 0 9583594 1 5 Peart Alan 2008 North Africa to the Arakan The Engrossing Memoir of WWII Spitfire Ace Alan McGregor Peart DFC London Grub Street ISBN 9781906502034 Shores Christopher Williams Clive 1994 Aces High London Grub Street ISBN 1 898697 00 0 Thompson H L 1959 New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939 45 Vol III Wellington War History Branch OCLC 758472141 External links editAuckland Museum Online Cenotaph Record Alan McGregor Peart Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alan Peart amp oldid 1167408785, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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