Wing Commander John Agar

Wing Commander John Agar
Commanding Officer No.6 Squadron
August 1944 - June 1945.

Nelson
16.03.1992

"I joined the Squadron in August 1943, in Fiji where we had a conversion course to Flying Boats. Our first move was to Tonga Tabu where we took over from the U.S. on Anti-Sub patrols. In November we moved to Espiritu Santo, New Caledonia, again from the U.S. on A/S patrols flying from Segond Channel our base - We then moved to Tulagi Is. Halavo in the Solomon Islands in Jan 44. [JS Note first ops flight from Halavo was 25.12.1943] Our base there was very comfortable with an outdoor cinema, and a nice beach for swimming etc. We also had a tennis court and good accommodation. We lived on U.S. rations with extras from N.Z. whenever possible. Our A/S patrols were from daylight to dusk 10 - 12 hours each from the base towards Nauru Is in the N. Pacific. We also were on standby for Dumbo rescue work daily and each crew took turns in this duty. Later - - this tour we had a detachment of 2 Boats for extra Dumbo work at green Island, Emirau Is, Treasury Is. these covered strikes over Rabaul from Bougainville by RNZAF Venturas & fighters. Our A/C were based on U.S.S. Coos Bay, U.S.N. near Bougainville at Treasury Is. Crews lived on board the ship. While at the Treasuries I did a 'spotting' mission for the U.S.N. bombardment of Choisel Bay, we straffed the area with our .5 guns afterwards - No opposition seen. I had 2 U.S.N. Naval observers on this trip. There was a Mission Station on Malaita Is which we visited frequently with medical supplies etc. We were very welcome there by the mission sisters. Another of our routine patrols was for subs in the area. In the vicinity of Guadalcanal and Florida Is, we called it the 'Slot' and it was patrolled daily from dawn to dusk. On one occasion an ammunition ship was blown up off Henderson Airfield, we heard the explosion at Halavo, and of course it was put down to a Jap Sub, but nothing was ever found _ night patrols were started for a time.
In April 44 we attached I think 2 crews to the Pacific Ferry flight to collect replacement Catalinas from San Diego U.S. Air Base. These were to flown to Suva, Fiji for fitting out for the Squadron. The crews of which mine was one comprised of myself as Capt. F/O B. Stringer Co. Pilot F/O W. Murray Navigator W.O. Thoroughgood H.L. W.O.A.G. F/Sgt Cranston J. 2nd Eng. We were flown to the U.S. by N.A.T.S. via Henderson Field, Santos, Funafuti, Canton, Palmyra , Honolulu, San Francisco. Taking 3 days at San Francisco we had some leave & were the guests of the U.S.N. till arriving in San Diego. Here we were very well entertained and looked after, and fitted out with new uniforms as we had arrived in tropical kit only. The hospitality in the U.S. was simply 1st Class. We had about 2 weeks rest in San Diego Naval Air Station getting ready for the return flight to Fiji. This time was spent in recreation and flight testing our aircraft. By 30 April all was ready and we waited for suitable weather conditions for the flight to Honolulu. This would take about 18 hours so extra fuel tanks had to be fitted. On May 6th we left at about 4.30 P.M. and arrived safely at Kaneohe Seaplane base 17.30 Hrs later (i.e. next morning) after an uneventful trip. It was abright moonlight night and flying at about 8,000 ft (most economical height for us) with a carpet of white cloud below and bright stars above was a beautiful sight. No sensation of speed - just the drone of our two engines (Pratt & Whitneys) which never missed a beat was an experience I will never forget. However on arrival it took a time for our heads to clear (and ears) and our wits back to normal and get some sleep. From Kaneohe (Honolulu) we left for Palmyra a coral atoll about 1/2 way to Fiji. These islands are only a few feet above sea level and very difficult to locate however, with radio it was no trouble to my Navigator to find OK, and after refuelling at the U.S.N. Base we left next morning for Canton another Atoll 5 Hrs flying away, this was also located and after refuelling and another stop over left next day for Fiji where we arrived 8 Hrs later. Next day after delivering and handing over our Catalina to the RNZAF at Fiji we left again for another trip to bring another Cat. back to Fiji flying to the U.S. by U.S. Navy P.B.M. (Martin Marina) [sic.] [JS Note: Martin Mariner see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PBM_Mariner] flying boat. On our return after another uneventful flight we returned to New Zealand for some well earned leave, then back to Halavo our Squadron.

It was great to get home to the family but all the harder to say farewell for a 2nd tour in the islands. I think we all felt the same. For me I was then appointed C.O. of the Squadron it had its advantages with more responsibility of course. We kept very good health[?] in the Islands with the Medical Officer insisting on proper Malaria Control at all times 'Atebrin' Tablets daily and long sleeves & trousers in the evenings to prevent mosquitoes getting at one & Mosquito nets at night. I had one trouble with a 'Centipede' which bit me on the big toe when I put on my boot one evening, a thing I will never forget - they are very poisonous & I was in agony till the M.O. gave me an injection of 'Morphine'. I was very comfortable after that!

I finished my tour in August 1945 and was sorry to go but felt I'd had enough and it was time to get back to my family in New Zealand (Wellington)."