The Impact of the Three Kiwi Pilots on D-Day’s Success
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Eighty years ago, the world witnessed one of the most significant military operations in history – D-Day. Among the brave souls who played a critical role on that day were men from New Zealand, a country far removed from the battlegrounds of Europe. Their stories of courage, skill, and resilience are a significant chapter in the vast narrative of World War II. This article sheds light on three Kiwi pilots whose contributions were pivotal to the success of D-Day: Flight Sergeant Edward Harry Frederick Atkinson, Flight Lieutenant Edward ‘Ned’ Hitchcock, and Flight Lieutenant Stanley Bruce de Vere DFC.
Flight Sergeant Edward Harry Frederick Atkinson
Flight Sergeant Edward Harry Frederick Atkinson’s story is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during D-Day. Born in Taranaki, New Zealand, Atkinson was a builder before the war called him to serve. His journey from New Zealand to Britain involved training as a wireless operator and air gunner, a path that led him to fly Short Stirlings for No. 620 Squadron. This squadron was crucial in the operation to drop Allied paratroopers and tow gliders, aiming to disrupt German defenses ahead of the main invasion.
The early hours of June 6, 1944, saw Atkinson and his crew embarking on a mission to deploy the 6th Airborne Division behind enemy lines near Caen. Tragically, their aircraft was struck by German anti-aircraft fire and crashed near Dives-sur-Mer. Atkinson, along with most of his crew and several paratroopers, lost their lives. Initially buried in a mass grave, they were later moved to a group burial in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Ranville. Atkinson, aged just 22, represents the ultimate sacrifice made by many during D-Day, his mission an integral part of the elaborate strategy to reclaim Europe.
Flight Lieutenant Edward ‘Ned’ Hitchcock
Flight Lieutenant Edward ‘Ned’ Hitchcock’s involvement in D-Day came as a surprise to him. Before the operation, he reflected, “I remember thinking … just ahead of them they’ve got this fantastic operation in which they will be launched on the French coast against enemy forces. And I dismissed that from my mind, it wasn’t in my territory at all.” A Christchurch native with an honours degree in electrical engineering, Hitchcock was brought to Britain by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) to work on coastal radar. His expertise saw him seconded to a radar unit supporting the American landing on Omaha Beach.
On D-Day, Hitchcock witnessed the brutal realities of war from his landing craft, observing the chaos on the beach as the operation unfolded. Despite a failed initial landing attempt due to the beach still being under enemy control, Hitchcock and his unit watched the battle rage, seeing firsthand the cost of war. “There was an explosion and a man’s figure went up in the air. You know, you read the term ‘blown up’- this is right in front of our eyes.“ His story underscores the diverse roles played by individuals in the operation, far from the frontline yet central to the success of the D-Day landings.
Flight Lieutenant Stanley Bruce de Vere DFC
Flight Lieutenant Stanley Bruce de Vere, known as Bruce, was a Christchurch-born pacifist turned pilot. His involvement in D-Day and subsequent actions provide a glimpse into the air operations that supported the landings. De Vere, flying Spitfires for No. 66 Squadron, took part in missions over the invasion beaches, observing the vast armada of ships and the incredible organizational feat that was D-Day. He described it as “a great and memorable day! A day which will be remembered by millions all their lives – I certainly will not forget it.”
De Vere’s squadron later moved to Normandy, where he lived under trying conditions but also had the opportunity to witness the aftermath of the battlefields. Throughout his service, he flew 66 sorties, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. His personal account, enriched with diaries and photographs, remains an invaluable record of the Allied air operations over Normandy.
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