As his damaged Hawker Typhoon fighter-bomber rapidly lost height, Pilot Officer James Stellin struggled to avoid crashing into Saint-Maclou-la-Brière, a village of 370 people. He succeeded, but at the cost of his own life. The villagers gave him a hero’s funeral and have honoured his memory ever since.
DDay
Events In History
24 May 1943
In the Battle of the Atlantic, one of the most important campaigns of the Second World War, 24 May 1943 was a crucial date. Thousands of New Zealanders took part in this long and bitter struggle.
Articles
D-Day
It was one of the largest amphibious landings in history. On 6 June 1944 a huge Allied military machine embarked on the invasion of German-occupied France. Thousands of New Zealand sailors and airmen were on active duty that day. Read the full article
Page 1 - D-Day and the battle for Europe
It was one of the largest amphibious landings in history. On 6 June 1944 a huge Allied military machine embarked on the invasion of German-occupied France. Thousands of New
Page 2 - The grand plan
The plans for the Allied invasion of France were conducted in great secrecy and over several months.
Page 3 - Supporting acts
Massive supporting actions, including a complex plan designed to fool the Germans, assisted the landings at
Page 4 - The build-up to D-Day
In the weeks before D-Day, the Royal Air Force prepared occupied territory in Europe for the invasion of ground forces and attacked strategic targets such as railway lines, troop
Page 5 - The Normandy landings
The Allied landings on Normandy beaches began early in the morning of 6 June 1944. The operation had been postponed due to bad weather, so, by the time they sailed, the men had
Page 6 - New Zealanders at sea
By 1944 more than 4700 New Zealanders were based in the United Kingdom and were serving in Royal Navy ships.
Page 7 - New Zealanders in the air
By 1944 more than 6000 New Zealanders were based in the United Kingdom, serving in the
Page 8 - The battle for Europe
The landings on 6 June 1944 were just the first part in a sustained campaign to break the war in Europe. For months after D-Day, planes flew over European cities, and the Allied
Page 9 - The French Resistance
Members of the French Resistance risked their lives in helping New Zealanders to
Main image: Lancaster bomber between sorties
Royal Air Force ground crew clean a Lancaster bomber between sorties. Many of the thousands of New Zealanders serving in Bomber Command flew these planes.
