467:(8.0 km) south of Caen. He quickly sighted another Ju 88 and started pursuing it. Partway through the chase he saw another Ju 88 and switched targets. He set the newly spotted Ju 88 ablaze with bursts of cannon fire. Continuing with the patrol, he and Crookes saw yet another Ju 88 and took up chase, which saw both aircraft descend to treetop level. After Jameson opened fire with his cannon, he saw strikes on the Ju 88 and it nosedived into a field. He began making his way back over Caen and in doing so Crookes identified two aircraft on his radar set. Selecting one to pursue, Jameson closed his Mosquito in and saw a Do 217 about 4,000 yards (3,700 m) away. Despite the enemy aircraft heading into cloud, it was still being tracked by radar and Jameson was able to follow and open fire on regaining sight of the Do 217. His target crashed into a field below at about 5:25am. When they landed the Mosquito back at Colerne, it was practically empty of fuel. His exploits in shooting down four aircraft, the most in a single
1121:
33:
439:, Wiltshire. It patrolled over the landing beaches, protecting the land forces from night attacks mounted by German bombers, and also carried out intruder missions, seeking out targets of opportunity such as transport vehicles and enemy aircraft. In this capacity Jameson, guided by Crooks using his radar set, destroyed a
522:
to a DFC he had received earlier in the war. Jameson was officially discharged from the RNZAF in
February 1945. He finished the war credited with eleven enemy aircraft destroyed and two damaged, the highest scoring New Zealand night fighter pilot of the conflict. He was invested with the DSO that he
466:
In a single flight, on 30 July, Jameson and
Crookes destroyed four enemy aircraft while patrolling over Normandy. For the first, at about 5:05am, just before dawn, ground radar directed them to a Ju 88 and on making visual confirmation, Jameson shot it down. The Ju 88 was observed to crash 5 miles
391:
bomber and shot up one of its engines. Another enemy aircraft approached, forcing
Jameson to veer off but he was able to verify the destruction of the bomber he had attacked, which was part of a group of around 30 bombers raiding targets in south Wales and southwest England. For a time Jameson was
542:
The running of the family farm, named
Nukiwai, at Rotherham occupied the rest of Jameson's life. It was a 1,760 acres (7.1 km) property on which cattle and sheep were grazed. He died, at the age of 76, in an accident on the farm involving a bulldozer on 20 May 1998. His wartime effects were
502:
The claim of 7 August was to be the last of the war for
Jameson. His father had died earlier in the year and at the request of Jameson's mother, he was repatriated to New Zealand in order to run the family farm. One brother, a
1478:
1401:
1369:
1112:
1097:
1074:
1468:
368:
This officer is a first class pilot whose skill has enabled him to destroy 2 enemy aircraft at night. His keenness and devotion to duty have set a praiseworthy example.
1353:
463:, Wiltshire. The weather for most of the month was poor so there was little action until towards the end of July, at which time German air activity increased.
1117:
255:. He was repatriated to New Zealand in September 1944 to run the family farm after the death of his father. He died in a farming accident at the age of 76.
490:. He had earlier in the night had an encounter with another Ju 88, which he claimed as damaged, having seen strikes from his cannon fire on the aircraft's
348:. His Beaufighter was damaged in the encounter, receiving return fire from the bomber's gunner. A week later he destroyed another He 111, this time near
1377:
401:
1385:
1361:
1453:
1473:
1458:
1318:
193:
361:
240:
200:
180:
1417:
1463:
486:
area and the aircraft spun into the ground. Just after midnight on 7 August, he destroyed a Ju 88 which dived into the ground near
428:, was paired up with Flying Officer Norman Crookes, a British radar operator whom he had worked with while at No. 125 Squadron.
296:
1019:
981:
447:
in the very early hours of 25 June. A Ju 88 was destroyed just after midnight on 29 June; it had been attacking shipping off
527:
216:, who is credited with the destruction of eleven enemy aircraft and two damaged. He was the highest scoring New Zealand
295:(RNZAF) in early 1941 and allocated the service number 41479, Jameson received his flight training in Canada under the
1057:
1038:
1000:
958:
951:
Spitfire Leader: The Story of Wing CDR Evan "Rosie" Mackie, DSO, DFC and Bar, DFC (US), Top
Scoring RNZAF Fighter Ace
280:
227:, Jameson joined the RNZAF in 1941. After completing flight training he went to the United Kingdom to serve with the
1483:
1422:
544:
524:
511:, had been killed earlier in the war and the other, who also joined the RNZAF, had died in an aircraft crash.
1310:
1262:
508:
515:
471:
for a night fighter pilot, were widely reported at the time although without identifying him personally.
292:
252:
209:
176:
98:
1050:
Aces High: A Tribute to the Most
Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and Commonwealth Forces in WWII
1246:
907:
863:
721:
531:
276:
272:
881:
639:
613:
435:
the squadron began performing in an offensive role, operating from the permanent RAF station at
479:
413:
268:
244:
136:
77:
1168:
1091:
1068:
417:
518:(DSO) for his sortie of 30 July was announced; for his role that day, Crookes was awarded a
1448:
1443:
440:
337:
329:
role, in June 1942, Jameson soon found success. On the night of 27/28 July, he shot down a
314:
236:
140:
8:
1141:
456:
416:, which was staffed with mainly New Zealand flying personnel. It operated the two-seater
322:
318:
232:
432:
161:
360:
and in recognition of his successes over the preceding few months, he was awarded the
1101:
1078:
1053:
1034:
1015:
996:
977:
954:
452:
425:
116:
1203:
1187:
548:
514:
Jameson arrived back in New
Zealand in September. The same month, his award of the
421:
213:
153:
1393:
1278:
1270:
300:
228:
1326:
973:
504:
388:
374:
357:
330:
267:, New Zealand. He was one of four children of R. Leslie Jameson, who farmed at
239:, he destroyed three German bombers over England and Wales. He was awarded the
123:
993:
By Such Deeds: Honours and Awards in the Royal New
Zealand Air Force 1923–1999
1437:
1345:
1238:
1219:
1105:
1082:
393:
353:
349:
333:
326:
217:
970:
Gone the Dark Night: The Story of New
Zealand's First Night Fighter Squadron
482:. Despite the Ju 88 taking evasive action, he was able to score hits in the
459:. From early July, the squadron began operating from a temporary station at
1294:
264:
224:
60:
247:, shooting down several enemy aircraft over France, including four in one
1479:
New Zealand recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
1160:
1120:
460:
307:
475:
1302:
1211:
1195:
1126:
304:
263:
George Esmond Jameson, known as Jamie, was born on 20 November 1921 in
205:
400:. He was taken off flying operations later in the year and sent to an
519:
487:
436:
397:
345:
303:(RAF). While in Canada, Jameson became acquainted with fellow future
1254:
491:
444:
396:
in Scotland, intercepting German bombers targeting shipping in the
341:
32:
483:
908:"Cattle and Sheep Association: Pasture Control and Stock Health"
1098:
Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45
1075:
Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45
593:
591:
589:
587:
585:
583:
581:
468:
424:
in Essex in a defensive night fighting role. Jameson, by now a
248:
766:
764:
846:
844:
842:
805:
803:
692:
690:
523:
was awarded in September 1944 in a ceremony presided over by
384:
299:, before proceeding to the United Kingdom to serve with the
578:
356:
bomber as damaged. By this time, he was holding the rank of
761:
732:
568:
566:
564:
448:
839:
815:
800:
788:
687:
1469:
New Zealand Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
751:
749:
747:
675:
665:
663:
661:
561:
776:
392:
part of a detachment of the squadron that was based at
827:
744:
702:
478:, Jameson was directed to a Ju 88 that was dispensing
926:
658:
494:
although it was able to evade the pursuing Mosquito.
407:
310:, who would later describe him as "really capable".
1012:
Victory: New Zealand Airmen and the Fall of Germany
275:, and his wife. He was educated at Waihi School in
204:(20 November 1921 – 20 May 1998) was a New Zealand
383:In February 1943, and with directions provided by
1435:
1100:. Vol. II. Wellington: War History Branch.
1077:. Vol. I. Wellington: War History Branch.
1031:Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft
364:(DFC) in November. The published citation read:
16:New Zealand World War II flying ace (1921–1998)
1047:
870:(Supplement). 22 September 1944. p. 4390.
597:
1048:Shores, Christopher; Williams, Clive (1994).
728:(Supplement). 24 November 1942. p. 5100.
948:
681:
251:in July 1944, for which he was awarded the
1418:List of World War II aces from New Zealand
31:
243:for these exploits. He later served with
1089:
1066:
1028:
949:Avery, Max; Shores, Christopher (1997).
862:
782:
770:
738:
720:
708:
696:
1093:New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force
1070:New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force
1009:
967:
932:
850:
833:
821:
809:
794:
755:
669:
1436:
1014:. Auckland: HarperCollins Publishers.
990:
608:
606:
572:
1454:Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel
1116:
1474:Military personnel from Christchurch
1459:New Zealand World War II flying aces
455:on Jameson's Mosquito, damaging its
412:Early in 1944 Jameson was posted to
603:
286:
13:
888:. No. 25030. 12 November 1946
646:. No. 23806. 27 November 1942
408:Service with No. 488 (NZ) Squadron
14:
1495:
1033:. London: MacDonald & James.
914:. No. 28738. 8 November 1958
340:, part of a raid approaching the
1423:List of World War II flying aces
1397:(10 & 1 shared + 2 aircraft)
1119:
995:. Christchurch: Volplane Press.
352:. In late October, he claimed a
297:Commonwealth Air Training Scheme
1464:New Zealand World War II pilots
900:
874:
856:
620:. No. 24235. 18 April 1944
497:
1402:Frank Brewster "Bruce" Lawless
714:
632:
614:"Obituary - Mr. R. L. Jameson"
532:Christchurch municipal offices
378:, No. 35795, 24 November 1942.
1:
942:
537:
258:
1370:James Hugh "Black Mac" McCaw
451:. The ships then used their
7:
516:Distinguished Service Order
507:recipient serving with the
336:15 miles (24 km) from
293:Royal New Zealand Air Force
253:Distinguished Service Order
210:Royal New Zealand Air Force
177:Distinguished Service Order
99:Royal New Zealand Air Force
10:
1500:
598:Shores & Williams 1994
543:donated by his son to the
362:Distinguished Flying Cross
241:Distinguished Flying Cross
181:Distinguished Flying Cross
1413:
1338:
1231:
1180:
1153:
1134:
1129:with 10+ aerial victories
1125:New Zealand World War II
474:On 4 August, flying over
402:Operational Training Unit
172:
146:
132:
122:
112:
104:
92:
84:
67:
47:
39:
30:
23:
1090:Thompson, H. L. (1956).
1067:Thompson, H. L. (1953).
976:: Bomber Command Books.
968:Clayton, Graham (2019).
640:"N.Z. Airmen Win Awards"
554:
1484:Farming accident deaths
1052:. London: Grub Street.
1029:Rawlings, John (1976).
953:. London: Grub Street.
682:Avery & Shores 1997
404:on instructing duties.
991:Hanson, C. M. (2001).
381:
1169:Bill Crawford-Compton
1010:Lambert, Max (2014).
882:"Investiture in City"
480:radar countermeasures
453:anti-aircraft weapons
418:De Havilland Mosquito
366:
189:George Esmond Jameson
105:Years of service
1354:Raymond John Cammock
1349:(28–15 + 5 aircraft)
528:Sir Bernard Freyberg
441:Messerschmitt Me 410
433:invasion of Normandy
387:, Jameson located a
319:Bristol Beaufighters
1373:(19 & 1 shared)
1357:(20 & 1 shared)
1306:(10 & 1 shared)
1298:(10 & 3 shared)
1274:(11 & 2 shared)
1250:(12 & 1 shared)
1223:(15 & 2 shared)
1199:(17 & 1 shared)
1191:(18 & 1 shared)
1172:(20 & 1 shared)
1145:(27 & 2 shared)
1142:Colin Falkland Gray
853:, pp. 230–231.
824:, pp. 210–211.
812:, pp. 241–243.
797:, pp. 206–207.
773:, pp. 460–461.
741:, pp. 214–215.
699:, pp. 258–259.
575:, pp. 273–274.
443:night fighter over
235:night fighter with
233:Bristol Beaufighter
212:(RNZAF) during the
868:The London Gazette
726:The London Gazette
534:in November 1946.
279:before going onto
220:pilot of the war.
162:Operation Overlord
1431:
1430:
1406:
1405:(10 + 1 aircraft)
1398:
1390:
1382:
1374:
1366:
1365:(20 + 2 aircraft)
1358:
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1323:
1315:
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1267:
1259:
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1200:
1192:
1173:
1165:
1146:
1021:978-1-77554-043-4
983:978-1-911255-38-3
426:flight lieutenant
317:, which operated
283:in Christchurch.
186:
185:
117:Flight Lieutenant
1491:
1404:
1396:
1388:
1380:
1378:James Roy Cullen
1372:
1364:
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1329:
1321:
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1305:
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1206:
1204:Johnny Checketts
1198:
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1188:Raymond Hesselyn
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629:
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545:Air Force Museum
525:Governor-General
414:No. 488 Squadron
379:
315:No. 125 Squadron
287:Second World War
281:Christ's College
245:No. 488 Squadron
237:No. 125 Squadron
214:Second World War
203:
198:
154:Second World War
141:No. 125 Squadron
137:No. 488 Squadron
94:
74:
58:20 November 1921
57:
55:
35:
21:
20:
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1498:
1494:
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1434:
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1427:
1409:
1394:Harvey Sweetman
1334:
1279:Geoffrey Fisken
1271:Warren Schrader
1227:
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323:Fairwood Common
301:Royal Air Force
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229:Royal Air Force
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1386:Raymond Danzey
1383:
1375:
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1359:
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1342:
1340:
1336:
1335:
1333:
1332:
1327:Robert Spurdle
1324:
1316:
1308:
1300:
1292:
1287:George Jameson
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974:Merthyr Tydfil
965:
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944:
941:
938:
937:
925:
899:
873:
855:
838:
836:, p. 225.
826:
814:
799:
787:
785:, p. 302.
775:
760:
758:, p. 205.
743:
731:
713:
711:, p. 362.
701:
686:
674:
672:, p. 232.
657:
631:
602:
600:, p. 352.
577:
559:
558:
556:
553:
539:
536:
509:26th Battalion
505:Military Medal
499:
496:
431:Following the
409:
406:
389:Dornier Do 217
375:London Gazette
370:
358:flying officer
331:Heinkel He 111
327:night fighting
288:
285:
260:
257:
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124:Service number
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82:
81:
75:(aged 76)
69:
65:
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49:
45:
44:
41:
37:
36:
28:
27:
25:George Jameson
24:
15:
9:
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3:
2:
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1362:Owen Eagleson
1360:
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1346:Arthur Umbers
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1245:
1240:
1239:Gray Stenborg
1237:
1236:
1234:
1230:
1221:
1220:Brian Carbury
1218:
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1059:1-898697-00-0
1055:
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1046:
1042:
1040:0-354-01028-X
1036:
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1002:0-473-07301-3
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989:
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979:
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960:1-898697-58-2
956:
952:
947:
946:
935:, p. 25.
934:
929:
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887:
883:
877:
869:
865:
859:
852:
847:
845:
843:
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818:
811:
806:
804:
796:
791:
784:
783:Thompson 1956
779:
772:
771:Thompson 1956
767:
765:
757:
752:
750:
748:
740:
739:Thompson 1956
735:
727:
723:
717:
710:
709:Thompson 1953
705:
698:
697:Rawlings 1976
693:
691:
684:, p. 27.
683:
678:
671:
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619:
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354:Junkers Ju 88
351:
350:Milford Haven
347:
343:
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335:
334:medium bomber
332:
328:
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218:night fighter
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158:Channel Front
157:
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933:Clayton 2019
928:
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851:Clayton 2019
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810:Lambert 2014
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648:. Retrieved
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265:Christchurch
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147:Battles/wars
73:(1998-05-20)
61:Christchurch
18:
1449:1998 deaths
1444:1921 births
1247:John Gibson
1161:Evan Mackie
1127:flying aces
864:"No. 36713"
722:"No. 35795"
573:Hanson 2001
308:Evan Mackie
231:. Flying a
88:New Zealand
71:20 May 1998
40:Nickname(s)
1438:Categories
1319:Roy LeLong
1303:Nigel Park
1212:Edgar Kain
1196:Alan Deere
943:References
918:16 October
892:17 October
650:16 October
624:16 October
538:Later life
313:Posted to
305:flying ace
277:Winchester
273:Canterbury
259:Early life
206:flying ace
85:Allegiance
54:1921-11-20
1106:300089346
1083:270919916
912:The Press
886:The Press
644:The Press
618:The Press
488:Avranches
398:North Sea
394:Peterhead
346:Irish Sea
269:Rotherham
108:1941–1945
78:Rotherham
1339:V-1 aces
1255:Jack Rae
492:fuselage
476:Saint-Lô
457:tail fin
445:Normandy
371:—
344:via the
342:Midlands
338:Cardigan
223:Born in
93:Service/
530:at the
484:cockpit
461:Colerne
208:of the
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549:Wigram
469:sortie
249:sortie
173:Awards
95:branch
1232:10–14
1181:15–19
1154:20–24
1135:25–29
555:Notes
437:Zeals
420:from
385:radar
325:in a
321:from
199:
197:,
128:41479
43:Jamie
1389:(11)
1381:(16)
1330:(10)
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1266:(12)
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1164:(23)
1102:OCLC
1079:OCLC
1054:ISBN
1035:ISBN
1016:ISBN
997:ISBN
978:ISBN
955:ISBN
920:2021
894:2021
652:2021
626:2021
449:Caen
133:Unit
113:Rank
68:Died
48:Born
547:at
520:bar
271:in
201:DFC
194:DSO
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