PERSONAL
Among the Royal New Zealand Air Force candidates accepted for training as pilots is Mr. C. H. Baigent, formerly of Gisborne. He left shortly after the war broke out to take up clerical duties at the Wigram station of the New Zealand Royal Air Force, and later served in a similar capacity at Ohakea. Mr. Baigent completed his studies for professional examinations during his stay in the air force stations. He has now been transferred to Levin for pilot training. -Gisborne Herald, 1/3/1941.
Outstanding gallantry and skill in successful raiding of targets in Germany is recognised in newly announced awards of the D.F.C. to Acting-Flight-Lieut. C. H. Baigent, R.N.Z.A.F., of Paraparaumu, and W/O I. C. Bray, R.N.Z.A.F., Ashburton, states advice received at Air Headquarters, Wellington. -Manawatu Standard, 11/11/1942.
BAR TO D.F.C.
AWARD TO NELSONIAN
SQUADRON LEADER C. H. BAIGENT
Squadron Leader C. H. (Mac) Baigent, of Nelson. who was awarded the D.F.C. early in 1943, has recently won the additional honour of a bar to this award. Squadron Leader Baigent who joined the R.N.Z.A.F. at the age of 18 years trained in New Zealand and left in 1941 for England, where he became a pilot of Stirling bombers. The citation accompanying the award of a bar to his D.F.C. was as follows: — “This officer has completed a large number of sorties, including eight attacks on Berlin. In an attack on the German capital one night in January, 1944. Squadron Leader Baigent’s aircraft was repeatedly hit by cannon fire when attacked by fighters approaching the target area. One engine was set on fire and the turrets were rendered unserviceable whilst other damage was also sustained. In spite of this, Squadron Leader Baigent pressed home his bombing attack and afterwards flew his damaged bomber back to its base. He displayed great skill and determination to make the sortie a success.” Squadron Leader Baigent is the son of Mrs H. D. J. O’Neill. Taupo. -Nelson Evening Mail, 27/5/1944.
"TRIPS TO REICH”
N.Z. AIRMAN’S OFFER ATTACKS OYER RUHR
(N.Z. Press Association. — Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Rec. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 19.
“Trips to the Reich arranged at the Government’s expense. No return fares guaranteed, says a notice outside the office of Squadron-Leader J. L. Wright, D.S.O., D.F.C., of Frankton Junction, one of the flight commanders of No. 75 (New Zealand) Lancaster Bomber Squadron. In recent weeks these “trips” have mostly been daylight raids on synthetic oil plants in the Ruhr, for this New Zealand squadron seldom operates by night at present. It carries out its raids flying in formation accompanied by fighter escorts. Its few night raids have recently been in support of the army, one being on Dresden, when the New Zealanders bombed marshalling yards to hamper German movement against the advancing Russians. Another was on Wesel to choke the German rail movement there before the recent British-Canadian offensive. The New Zealanders also took part in the biggest raid of the war last week, when Dortmund was wiped out. In one recent raid two immediate decorations were won. A bar to the D.F.C. was awarded Squadron-Leader J. M. Bailey, of Feilding, who led the squadron in an attack on a synthetic oil plant at Osterfeld in the Ruhr. Though his Lancaster was badly damaged by flak while on the run up to bomb, and he had to stop his starboard inner motor, Squadron-Leader Bailey never faltered, but continued to lead the squadron, grouped in formation behind him, right on to the target.
OTHERS DAMAGED. That burst of flak also hit three other aircraft flying immediately behind him. They were piloted by Wing-Commander C. H. Baigent, D.F.C. and Bar, of Nelson, the squadron’s commanding officer, who is allowed by regulation to make only one or two flights a month and by Flight-Lieutenant D. R. Sadgrove, of Auckland, and Flying-Officer R. J. Pearson, of Wellington. Their Lancasters were all so badly damaged that several days were required to repair them. -Manawatu Standard, 21/3/1945.
CITATION TO AWARD.
FORMER ASHBURTON MAN.
The citation to the award of the D.S.O. to Wing-Commander C. H. Baigent, who was born in Ashburton but who left while still an infant, has now been received by the Air .Department, Wellington. Acting-Wing Commander Baigent, D.S.O., D.F.C. and bar, who was formerly an employee of the Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, is a son of the late Dr. C. V. Baigent, Ashburton, and Mrs H. T. O’Neill, who now lives at Rotorua. He is described as an able, keen and courageous leader by the citation, which says: “Throughout three tours of operational duly, Acting-Wing Commander Baigent displayed conspicuous gallantry and exceptional determination. Since the award of a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross he has taken part in many attacks against important and highly-defended targets. Both in the air and on the ground he has invariably set an inspiring example to all under his command.” Born in 1923, Acting Wing-Commander Baigent was educated at John McGlashan College, Dunedin, and Nelson College. -Ashburton Guardian, 21/8/1945.
MOSQUITO AIRCRAFT FOR N.Z.
FERRY CREWS TO LEAVE AT WEEKEND
(P.A) PALMERSTON NORTH. Fifteen Mosquito flying crews will leave Ohakea on Friday for Whenuapai, and will leave during the weekend. via Australia and Singapore, for the United Kingdom, where they will pick up Mosquito aircraft and fly them to New Zealand for No. 75 Squadron. Commanding the squadron, which is based at Ohakea. is Wing Commander J. E. Watts. A.F.C.. who will remain In New Zealand for organisation purposes. Squadron Leader C. H. Baigent, D.S.0.. D.F.C., will command the ferry flight. When the crews return from England they hope to bring with them mementoes of No. 75 Squadron which have remained at the squadron’s last English headquarters. -Press, 8/1/1947.
PERILOUS FLIGHT
MOSQUITOES ARRIVE TAKE-OFF IN SNOWSTORM
TOWNSVILLE HAIL DAMAGE
;(P.A.) PALMERSTON N. March 29. Standing out in dull relief against a heavily overcast sky, a de Havilland Mosquito, the first aircraft of the second flight to arrive from England, banked sharply over Ohakea aerodrome at 2.39 p.m. yesterday. It was flown by Squadron Leader C. H. Baigent, of Rotorua, who had as his navigator Flight Lieutenant D. B. Sisley, of New Plymouth. This was the first English Mosquito to be flown to New Zealand from England by a New Zealand crew. Hardly had the first Mosquito touched down that the second aircraft of the flight arrived. This was quickly followed by a third, the last of the flight. These aircraft were ushered in to the landing field by a Harvard trainer from the station. The last two Mosquito aircraft were flown by R.A.F. Mosquito crews, Flight Lientenant R. L. Bartley and Warrant Officer R. W. Cattermole as navigator, end Flight Lieutenant A. C. White, whose navigator was Warrant Officer R G. Rennie.
Hazardous Phases The flight leader reported that the trip had been good, except when the aircraft left England and when they arrived near Townsville, Australia. In the first instance the Mosquitos were forced to take off from Pershore R.A.F. station in a blinding snowstorm. The second occasion on which flying became hazardous occurred near Townsville. A vicious rain hail storm accompanied by a high wind hit the aircraft. He had been travelling with a Mosquito which had been reported forced down at Townsville. The fabric on his wings had begun to peel off and other aircraft had been in a worse plight, so much damage being done that they turned in to land at Townsville. The New Zealand pilot continued and reached Sydney safely. His trip across the Tasman was uneventful and was completed in five hours exactly.
The three aircraft showed the effects of the weather they passed through. Each was weather-beaten and showed lead staining backwards along the cowlings behind the exhausts, while the paint was stripped from the fuselage in some places. -Gisborne Herald, 29/3/1947.
DISPLAY OF FLYING AND AIR FORCE
EQUIPMENT AT OHAKEA (excerpt)
BULLS, Saturday (O.C.). — A crowd, drawn from a wide radius, was present at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Ohakea, today, when station personnel staged a comprehensive display of flying and its attendant activities, the fixture being staged through the courtesy of the commanding officer, Group Captain Clouston, D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C. In addition to providing the public with an opportunity of seeing the work of service from all angles, the fixture gave a decided boost to the recruiting drive, which is being conducted by the department.
Proceedings opened with pyrotechnic display showing the various distress signals used between ground and plane and vice versa, but the colourful effect was lost through the necessity of a daylight exhibition. Five Mosquitos of 75 Squadron, led by S./L. Baigent D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., provided a thrilling formation flying display, climaxing with a spectacular “Prince of Wales Feather." Squadron-Leader Baigent, flying a Mosquito, then gave a demonstration of high speed and single engine flying characteristics. Thrills aplenty were provided in the aerobatics, put on by Flight Lieutenant Jeffs, in a Harvard aircraft. -Wanganui Chronicle, 24/1/1949.
The longest oversea non-stop navigational exercise ever performed by Mosquitos of the Royal New Zealand Air Force was successfully carried out by two machines of No. 75 FighterBomber Squadron from Ohakea on Friday. They flew to the Chatham Islands, circled Waitangi and returned to base, a distance of more than 840 miles The first plane, piloted by Flying Officer R. J. Scott, made the flight in 4 3/4 hours and the second, in the charge of Squadron Leader C. H. Baigent, D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., in 4 1/2 hours -Northern Advocate, 25/10/1949.
TRAINING FOR NAVIGATORS
FLIGHT TO ISLAND IN KERMADECS
MOSQUITO AIRCRAFT FROM OHAKEA
(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 22. Using only basic navigational aids, navigators of Mosquito aircraft of No. 75 Fighter-Bomber Squadron, Ohakea, are achieving extremely high technical performances in. long-range flights to a small isolated rock in the Kermadec group.
In the last fortnight five aircraft have made the flight and all have been within sight of the rock at their estimated time of arrival. The average error after a flight across the open sea of hundreds of miles has been only five or six miles.
The turning point for the flights is L’Esperance Rock, a southern islet of the Kermadec group, more than 50 miles to the south-west of the main islands. The rock is about 230 feet high and covers only 12 acres. The only feature within miles is Havre Rock, which lies just awash seven miles to the north-west of L’Esperance Rock. The only inhabitants are seabirds.
Squadron Leader C. H. Baigent, officer commanding No. 75 Squadron, said in a telephone interview from Ohakea yesterday that long-range flights to L’Esperance Rock began on December 7 after Mosquito crews had trained on flights from Ohakea to Cape Maria van Diemen and to the Chatham Islands. The aircraft took off from Ohakea about 6.30 a.m. and returned to their base about six hours later. The return flight was of about 1400 statute miles, extra petrol tanks being necessary. -Ashburton Guardian, 23/12/1949.
RNZAF STATION
TAIERI’S NEW STATUS
INDEPENDENT COMMAND FROM TOMORROW
PREPARING FOR TRAINEES
After several years of being maintained on little more than a caretaker capacity in a satellite status to Wigram, the RNZAF station at Taieri will again become an independent command tomorrow. As the future training school for entrants into the RNZAF, the station will be built up in staff and facilities in readiness for the first intake of cadets in May. The commanding officer at Taieri will be Wing Commander C. A. Turner, until recently RNZAF representative on the New Zealand Joint Services Liaison staff, Melbourne. No date has been given for Wing Commander Turner to arrive at Taieri, and it is understood that in the meantime Squadron Leader C. H. Baigent, will be arriving shortly as acting commanding officer. He will subsequently be officer in charge of administration. Squadron Leader Baigent was formerly in command of No. 75 Squadron (Ohakea).
The Taieri command will provide general service and trade training for compulsory military training entrants and general service and basic flying training for selected compulsory military training air crew, as well as continuing its existing duties of providing support for No. 4 TAF Squadron and the maintenance of stored RNZAF aircraft.
To meet the needs of the estimated 21 officers and 350 other ranks who will be using the station after it is brought up to establishment, renovations and new buildings will be required. It is understood that contracts have now been let for such work and that a start has been made. Mess rooms, kitchen facilities and accommodation blocks which have been closed since the station went out of use at the end of the 'war will have to be refurnished and renovated. Some of the old accommodation blocks have been demolished or transferred elsewhere and will have to be replaced. One such block has now been rebuilt as the hostel at the Mosgiel Woollen Mills.
Until a permanent maternity hospital is built at Mosgiel it will be necessary for the old RNZAF station hospital to continue its present function as Taieri maternity home. An existing building will be converted to meet the needs of a station hospital. In view of the fact that the former officers' block has been turned into quarters for married personnel on the station, new accommodation for the officers who will be coming to the station will have to be built, and it is understood that several multiple unit dwellings will be erected to house additional married personnel. Arrangements are also being made to provide — or to implement where they already exist — medical and dental services, fire-fighting and communications services and transport, together with amenities such as a post office, YMCA, and dry canteen. -Otago Daily Times, 31/1/1950.
BIRTHS
BAIGENT. On November 23, at R N Z A.F. Station, Taieri, to Mary, wife of Squadron Leader C. H. Baigent — a son. -Otago Daily Times, 25/11/1950.
DEATH OF R.N.Z.A.F. OFFICER
WING COMMANDER C. H. BAIGENT
OUTSTANDING WAR-TIME CAREER
Wing Commander C. H. Baigent, D.S.O., D.F.C. and bar, A.F.C. R.N.Z.A.F., one of New Zealand’s outstanding bomber pilots in the Second World War, and a former commanding officer of the famous No. 75 (N.Z.) bomber Squadron, died at Palmerston this week, at the age of 30 after a long illness. He was one of the very few pilots to reach the rank of wing commander — equivalent to lieutenant-colonel — at the age of 21.
During his four years’ war service overseas Wing Commander Baigent, who arrived in Britain at the age of 18, took part in 71 bombing missions over Europe. He won the D.F.C. as a flight lieutenant in 1942 and gained a bar to the decoration as a squadron leader in 1944. He was awarded the D.S.O. in 1945, and was awarded the A.F.C. in 1948 for services in building up No. 75 Squadron as a peacetime unit at Ohakea where he commanded the squadron.
Born at Ashburton in 1923, Wing Commander Baigent was educated at John McGlashan, College, Dunedin, Nelson College, and Victoria University College. He enlisted in the R.N.Z.A.F. on the outbreak of war, gained his wings in July, 1941, and left New Zealand as a pilot officer in September that year. After the war he was granted a permanent commission in the R.N.Z.A.F. and reverted to the rank of squadrons leader. He assisted in ferrying Mosquitoes from Britain and was promoted to wing commander again in January this year.
Until just before his death Wing Commander Baigent was senior administrative officer at Whenuapai. He held the same position at Taieri before going to Whenuapai.
Wing Commander Baigent is survived by his wife and two children. -Press, 13/11/1953.
Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.
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