No 485 NZ Squadron RAF
A Tribute page to No. 485 (NZ) Squadron RAF which was the NZ Spitfire squadron in Europe. Motto: Ka whawhai tonu (We will fight on)
No. 485 (NZ) Squadron RAF was a Spitfire squadron in the European Theater of operations during the Second World War. It was the first RNZAF squadron formed under Article XV of the Empire Air Training Scheme and served in Europe under the operational command of the Royal Air Force. Formed as the first New Zealand fighter squadron in the UK on 1 March 1941 at Driffield. It was equipped with Spitfire
08/05/2026
Letters from France : Thierry Augas shared his 75 Sqn RAF shield he has in his possession. The Shield was allegedly given by the family of F/Sgt Maurice Drummond Air Gunner to local residents who assisted him after his Avro-Lancaster (AA-H “Howzat”) was shot down and crash landed in France in 1944. Thierry has researched and has provided the information of the story. Thanks for sharing Thierry ! (Translated from French to English)
05/05/2026
05/05/2026
14/04/2026
Despatches from a Belgium: Frank Raeman an amateur historian on the Airfield at Maldegem since 1979. Frank recently came to possess original camera negatives of the airfield after Operation Bodenplatte.
One New Years Day the Germany’s luftwaffe carried out a surprise attack against the Allies airfields on the Western front as a desperate attempt to disable the airfields. Airfeild at Maldegem was where the 485 NZ RAF was stationed at the time and attacked by the Luftwaffe. A large number of Spitfires of The 485 NZ RAF were destroyed in the attack. In the end it was a strategic blunder by the Luftwaffe, as they lost more aircraft and most importantly pilots in the operation. That the Luftwaffe couldn’t muster any considerable air combat for the rest of the war.
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