I am extremely excited to present the next Wings Over New Zealand Show – Episode 70: Les Munro Part One. Listen or download for free now.
http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZ_Show_61_70.html#LesMunro1
In this episode, part one of two, we hear an extremely interesting interview with Squadron Leader Les Munro DSO, DFC, RNZAF. He was one of the original members of the Royal Air Force’s most famous unit, No. 617 Squadron – The Dambusters.
In this first instalment we hear about his younger life, and his entry into the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He covers his training in New Zealand and in Canada, and then his posting to England where he completed further training with an Operational Training Unit on Wellingtons followed by a short stint on the Avro Manchester. Then Les was posted to No. 97 Squadron RAF flying Avro Lancasters on operations over Europe.
Following 21 ops he and most of his crew volunteered to join a newly forming ‘special squadron’ at RAF Scampton, which would later be renamed No. 617 Squadron. Les details the training on this squadron leading right up to his take off for the famous Dams raid (which will be covered in the next episode).
The interviewers are Dave Homewood and Richard Carstens, and this interview was recorded in April 2010.
By: Dave Homewood - 14th July 2014 at 09:40
Thanks Simon.
By: SimonR - 14th July 2014 at 08:41
I had thought there’d be more interest here on the forum in this, particularly from the Poms, since Les Munro was a key member of the RAF’s most famous bomber squadron. Oh well…
Hi Dave,
Cheers for making this (and the other 70-odd episodes!) available to us – I think there’s plenty of interest but people often don’t bother to post thanks or any comments, which is a shame.
I’m off now to listen to part 70!
By: Dave Homewood - 14th July 2014 at 05:20
The Wings Over New Zealand Show Episode 71 – Les Munro Part Two – is now online.
In this episode, part two of two, we continue with the very interesting interview with Squadron Leader Les Munro DSO, DFC, RNZAF.
Les was one of the original members of the Royal Air Force’s most famous unit, No. 617 Squadron – The Dambusters. We pick up the story just as he and his crew are taking off on the famous Dams Raid on the 16th of May 1943.
We also hear what happened in No. 617 Squadron after the raid and in subsequent months and years when Les was later made one of the three Flight Commanders alongside Dave Shannon and Joe ‘Mac’ McCarthy, under the leadership of Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire VC.
www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZ_Show_71_80.html#Les_Munro_2
By: Dave Homewood - 6th July 2014 at 00:58
I had thought there’d be more interest here on the forum in this, particularly from the Poms, since Les Munro was a key member of the RAF’s most famous bomber squadron. Oh well…
By: Dave Homewood - 4th July 2014 at 05:14
Great photo PanzerJohn.
By: PanzerJohn - 3rd July 2014 at 21:08
I had the opportunity to meet him at a signing a couple of years ago..
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By: Dave Homewood - 3rd July 2014 at 10:16
No problem Denis, I hope you enjoy it.
By: Denis - 3rd July 2014 at 09:52
Thanks for the link Dave 🙂
By: Dave Homewood - 3rd July 2014 at 01:47
Well that’s a possibility, maybe when we reach the 100 episodes mark. A good idea there Andy!
Yes it’s still on iTunes (I believe), as is my other podcast, Courage And Valour: New Zealanders In The Italian Campaign.
By: Andy Wright - 3rd July 2014 at 01:13
Always thought you could put together an ‘album’ on CD or USB (like a collection of all of the WW2-related recordings for example) or even volume 1, 2, 3 etc with 10-20 interviews per volume and sell to raise funds for future interviews/projects.
Is it still available on iTunes? I’ve only ever downloaded off the WONZ Show website because iTunes does my head in. 🙂
By: Dave Homewood - 3rd July 2014 at 00:40
Yes, Episode 70. Seems amazing how many hours of history I’ve recorded and released free to the public when I look back now!
By: Andy Wright - 2nd July 2014 at 22:35
Looking forward to this one, Dave, once I get through the episodes immediately before it to catch up. Must remain disciplined and not jump ahead to this one or the Max Lambert one where he talks about his new book Victory. What’s this, episode 70 of the Wings Over New Zealand Show?
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July 2, 2014 at 9:47 am