F/O Noel Haglund, W.O.A.G.

425839 F/O Noel Haglund (dob 25.12.1921)
St Heliers, NZ
1992
Aircrew W.O.A.G. Served with No. 6 Squadron 11.04.1944 to 06.08.1945
Spent short time at Espiritu Santo on detachment with VP 54 see http://www.fortunecity.com/millenium/redwood/372/vp54.htm ‘The Black Cats operating under Commander Air Solomons (COMAIRSOLS) were included in the below quoted appraisal by Historian Morison (Vol. VI, page 290) Airsols, despite a heterogeneous composition (planes of U. S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Royal New Zealand Air Force), was one of the world's finest, with matchless Esprit de corps. Its fighter planes kept guard over every convoy running north of Espiritu Santo; its "Black Cats" scoured the darkness, its "Dumbo" rescue planes picked up shipwrecked mariners and bailed-out aviators, delivered rations to beleaguered coast watchers, and rushed spare parts to the fighting front. …’
Living conditions? “Halavo Quonset Huts and later in new position 2 and three man huts Showering and toilet facilities fairly primitive. Good Officers Mess made possible by our own efforts. Food mostly American style but quite reasonable.”
Operational procedures? “Halavo Bay Shipping patrols and escorts anti sub patrols, aircraft and missing crew searches dumbo work maintenance trips to Fiji and ile Nou island in New Caledonia ferry trip to N.Z. to pick up new aircraft. On 27.7.44 we located the wreckage of an American C87 [JS note Derivative of B-24 Liberator] transport plane all 17 on board lost their lives. On 7.9.44 we rescued 9 people from a ship which had struck a reef on Halalei Island.”
Recreation? “Halavo Mainly using the mess going to the odd picture show or u.f.o. [sic] concert when on and when supplies were available taking a few cans of beer to our ground crew mates down on the tarmac. We enjoyed their company and they enjoyed our beer as they were pretty strictly rationed as far as liquor supplies were concerned. We also had games of baseball and cricket with the Americans and our own airmen. We went on various barge trips around the area and also used to visit the N.Z. Fairmile patrol boats when they came into our base for a short stay.
Detached Flights? “Served on detachment at Santo with W/O Donaldson which has already been mentioned. Other detachment with F/L D.L.M. Martin at Green and Emirau Islands from 4.6.45 to 23.6.45. Did ferry trip from Green Island to Jacquinot Bay transporting airmen and army personel. From Emirau we were Dumbo cover for American planes on strikes over Kavieng and Rabaul. … We were at Green Island when Sir Cyril Newall the N.Z. Governor General paid a visit.”
Happiest memory? “The happiest memory would probably be the day 27.7.44 when my best friend F/O Owen Girven [JS note O.E. Girven 2nd W.O.A.G.] and I commenced flying together in the same crew. We were known as the heavenly twins but I don’t think there was anything very heavenly about us.
Saddest memory? “would be when we learnt of the crash in Fiji where W/Os Freeman & F/S Geary and others lost their lives. Also the loss of our own aircraft on 12.10.44.”
Other memories “The visit of Bob Hope and Patty Davis and other USO entertainers. The American pilot who was visiting and ran his Martin Mariner F/B on the reef in our bay and holed it badly.”