Gunson, Norman Peter Coles DFC (Flight Lieutenant, b.1917 - d.2009)

Places
Accession Number PR05338
Collection type Private Record
Record type Collection
Measurement Extent: 2 cm; Wallet/s: 1
Object type Log book
Maker Gunson, Norman Peter Coles
Place made Australia, Netherlands East Indies, New Guinea
Date made 1943-1945
Access Open
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Copying Provisions Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required.
Description

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 407424 Flight Lieutenant Norman Peter Coles Gunson, 22 Squadron and 34 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, New Guinea, Australia and the Netherlands East Indies, 1943-1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one log book of Flight Lieutenant Norman Peter Coles Gunson, containing entries dated between 5 August 1943 and 15 October 1945. This log book has a cloth cover, illustrated in ink with a Boston aircraft. It covers the period of Lieutenant Gunson’s service as a pilot with 22 Squadron in New Guinea, training in Australia, and service with 34 Squadron in Australia and Moratai, Netherlands East Indies. The log book entries record information such as dates and times of flights, aircraft types and numbers, crewmembers, and purposes of flights. Some of the recorded flight purposes include anti-shipping patrols, bombing and strafing operations on Japanese positions, aerial photography, operational training, and transportation. This log book also includes one letter relating to the event for which Flight Lieutenant Gunson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

History / Summary

Flight Lieutenant Norman Peter Coles Gunson enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force on 12 October 1940. After a period of training, Flight Lieutenant Gunson was posted to 22 Squadron, based at Port Moresby, New Guinea. With this unit, he participated in anti-shipping patrols and operations. During his second operational flight, on 29 August 1943, Flight Lieutenant Gunson was hit by anti-aircraft fire near Ring Ring, New Britain. His aircraft was extensively and severely damaged. However, Flight Lieutenant Gunson was able to return to base and safely land the aircraft. For his coolness and flying skill he displayed on this occasion, Flight Lieutenant Gunson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In January 1945, he transferred to 34 Squadron. With this unit, Flight Lieutenant Gunson was involved in transporting personnel and supplies throughout Australia, the Netherlands East Indies and New Guinea. Flight Lieutenant Gunson was discharged on 16 January 1946.