Peter Hall (RNZAF officer)
Peter Hall | |
---|---|
Second World War | |
Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
Peter Francis Locker Hall,
Born in
Early life
Born in
Second World War
Hall enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in July 1941 and after flying training was sent to England to serve with the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was posted to No. 140 Squadron, which had formed at Benson and operated photo-reconnaissance Supermarine Spitfires, and flew a number of sorties over occupied Europe.[2][3]
No. 488 (NZ) Squadron
In July 1943, Hall was transferred to
Following the invasion of Normandy, No. 488 Squadron began performing offensive operations, operating from the permanent RAF station at Zeals, in Wiltshire.[8] The squadron patrolled over the landing beaches, protecting the land forces from night attacks mounted by German bombers but also carrying out intruder missions, seeking targets of opportunity such as transport vehicles and German aircraft.[9] On the night of 14 June, Hall destroyed a Junkers Ju 88 medium bomber near Saint-Lô, in France. His own Mosquito was damaged in the encounter and he had to fly back to Zeals on one engine. A few nights later, another Ju 88 was shot down by Hall in the same area.[10]
The following month, Hall and Marriott were credited with shooting down two Ju 88s in a single sortie on the night of 28 July, in the area of Vire.[2] On 1 August, with the squadron flying from Colerne, near Bristol, he destroyed a Ju 88. Hall's success was fortunate, for he was in pursuit of another Ju 88 at the time and his victim had flown through his field of fire.[11] On the night of 5 August, he was credited with the destruction of a Do 217.[2][12] For their exploits, Hall, now a flight lieutenant, and Marriott were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 19 September. The joint citation, published in The London Gazette read:
As pilot and observer respectively these officers have participated in many sorties. Throughout they have displayed commendable skill and keenness. They have destroyed 4 enemy aircraft.
— London Gazette, No. 36706, 19 September 1944.[13]
Hall was the first New Zealander to be awarded the DFC for operations while flying with No. 488 Squadron.[14] This was followed by the award of a Bar to Hall and Marriott's DFCs just two weeks later. The joint citation, published in early October, for their Bars read:
As pilot and observer respectively these officers continue to display the highest standard of skill and gallantry. Recently, within a short period they have destroyed 4 enemy aircraft, bringing their victories to 8.
— London Gazette, No. 36728, 3 October 1944.[15]
Hall's period of service with the RAF ended in early 1945 and he was repatriated to New Zealand and discharged from the RNZAF. Along with Marriott, Hall ended the war credited with eight confirmed aerial victories and one probable.[1][2]
Later life
After the war, Hall went to university and studied for a
Hall died in Cumbria on 22 May 2010. His wife Mary had died the previous year and they were survived by their three children.[1][16][17]
Notes
- ^ a b c d "WW2 NZ Flying Ace Dies in England". Otago Daily Times. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g Shores & Williams 1994, p. 308.
- ^ "Squadron History: No 140 Squadron RAF". Spitfire Association. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Clayton 2019, pp. 96–97.
- ^ Thompson 1956, pp. 223–225.
- ^ Thompson 1956, p. 231.
- ^ Clayton 2019, pp. 150–151.
- ^ Thompson 1956, pp. 460–461.
- ^ Thompson 1956, p. 302.
- ^ Clayton 2019, pp. 200–203.
- ^ Clayton 2019, p. 223.
- ^ Clayton 2019, p. 227.
- ^ "No. 36706". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 September 1944. p. 4326.
- ^ Clayton 2019, p. 209.
- ^ "No. 36728". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 October 1944. p. 4536.
- ^ a b Dearnaley, Mathew (25 May 2010). "Kiwi Flying Ace Credited with Eight Kills Dies in England". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ "Peter Francis Locker Hall". Online Cenotaph. Auckland War Memorial Museum. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
References
- Clayton, Graham (2019). Gone the Dark Night: The Story of New Zealand's First Night Fighter Squadron. Merthyr Tydfil, Wales: Bomber Command Books. ISBN 978-1-911255-38-3.
- Shores, Christopher; Williams, Clive (1994). Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and Commonwealth Forces in WWII. London, United Kingdom: Grub Street. ISBN 1-898697-00-0.
- Thompson, H. L. (1956). New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force. OCLC 300089346.