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Johnny Checketts
A full length picture of a man in RAF uniform. He stands in front of a parked aircraft, with one hand in a pocket and holding a pipe in the other.
Checketts in November 1943, when he commanded the Air-to-Air Combat Squadron of the Central Gunnery School at Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire.
Nickname(s)Johnny
Born(1912-02-20)20 February 1912
Invercargill,New Zealand
Died21 April 2006(2006-04-21)(aged 94)
Christchurch,New Zealand
AllegianceNew Zealand
Service/branchRoyal New Zealand Air Force
Years of service1940–1955
RankWing Commander
CommandsRNZAF Taieri Station
RNZAF Laucala Bay
Horne Wing
No. 1 Squadron RAF
No. 485 (New Zealand) Squadron
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsDistinguished Service Order
Distinguished Flying Cross
Silver Star(United States)
Cross of Valour(Poland)

John Milne Checketts,DSO,DFC(20 February 1912 – 21 April 2006) was a New Zealandflying aceof theSecond World War,who was credited with the destruction of14+1⁄2enemy aircraft, three probably destroyed and 11 damaged.

Born inInvercargill,Checketts worked as a mechanic before joining theRoyal New Zealand Air Force(RNZAF) in October 1940. After completing his flight training he was sent to the United Kingdom to serve with theRoyal Air Force.From January 1942, he flew withNo. 485 (NZ) Squadronbefore being posted toNo. 611 Squadron.He returned to No. 485 Squadron in August 1943 as its commander but two months later was shot down over occupied France. He was returned to the United Kingdom by theFrench Resistance.He later commanded awingcarrying out operations in support of theD-Day landingsand escortingheavy bomberson raids into Germany.

Checketts remained in the RNZAF after the war, commanding air bases in New Zealand and Fiji. Returning to civilian life in 1954, he set up anaerial topdressingcompany and later undertook conservation work. He died in 2006, aged 94.

Early life

[edit]

John Milne Checketts was born inInvercargillon 20 February 1912, the first of three children, to Ernest and Mary Jane Checketts.[1]His father was a carrier, transporting loads around Southland, and he also kept animals. Checketts was educated at the Invercargill South School[2]and thenSouthland Technical College,where he studied engineering. He graduated in 1928 but continued to study engineering at night school while undertaking an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic.[3]

Finishing his apprenticeship in 1934, Checketts began working for a motor dealership.[4]His father, who had moved the family to a small farm in 1918,[5]had lost his job and Checkett's wages supplemented the family's income.[4]He was interested in aviation; he had seen his first aeroplane, anAvro 504K, when he was eight years old,[6]and was among the crowd that greetedCharles Kingsford Smithwhen Smith arrived at Invercargill's Myross Bush aerodrome in theSouthern Cross.[7]Checketts took his first flight in late 1937 or early 1938, as a passenger in ade Havilland Puss Moth.[4]

In August 1939, Checketts enrolled in the Civil Reserve for theRoyal New Zealand Air Force(RNZAF). Wishing to serve as a pilot rather than the RNZAF's preference for a ground mechanic given his technical background, he took evening classes in educational and technical subjects such as algebra, navigation, electricity andMorse code.[8]

Second World War

[edit]

Training in New Zealand

[edit]

In October 1940, with the Second World War well underway, Checketts was called up to the RNZAF.[9]He underwent flight training atNo. 1 Elementary Flying Training School,nearDunedin,soloing on 17 December 1940 in aTiger Moth.[10]Rated a below-average pilot, he nonetheless went on toNo. 1 Service Flying Training SchoolatWigram,nearChristchurch,and then progressed to the Advanced Training School, also at Wigram, after passing his wings examination.[11]

Checketts soloed on a Tiger Moth, shown here in RNZAF colours

Checketts completed his flight training in June 1941 and was commissioned as apilot officerin the RNZAF. He was posted to the United Kingdom to serve with theRoyal Air Force(RAF). He departed from Auckland on 22 July 1941 aboard theDominion Monarch.[12]

Operations

[edit]

At the RAF'sNo. 56 Operational Training Unit,inLincolnshire,Checketts learned to fly theHawker Hurricaneand was assessed as an above-average pilot.[13]Despite his familiarity with the Hurricane, his first operational posting, in November 1941, was to theSupermarine Spitfire-equippedNo. 485 (New Zealand) Squadron.[14][15]Aged 29, he was much older than his fellow fighter pilots.[16]The squadron, with largely New Zealand flying personnel but British ground crew and administration, was based atKenley,south ofLondon.[17][18]It shared the facilities withNo. 452 (Australia) SquadronandNo. 602 Squadron,and these all formed the Kenley Wing.[19]A New Zealander,Al Deere,was commander of No. 602 Squadron and he and Checketts became great friends.[17]At their first encounter, Checketts was depressed; he had struggled on his orientation flight in a Spitfire and was concerned that his squadron commander would transfer him on account of his poor performance. Deere, seeing Checketts on his own, went over and after listening to him, provided reassurance.[20]

Soon becoming familiar with the Spitfire,[21]Checketts began flying missions, his first being on 7 January 1942.[22]On 12 February 1942 the Kenley Wing took part in an operation escorting torpedo-bombers over theEnglish ChannelduringOperation Cerberus,when the German battleshipsScharnhorstandGneisenausteamed rapidly fromBrestin France to reach safety in German ports.[23]Although he did not encounter any German aircraft, Checketts, flying at the rear of his four-man section, used his Spitfire's cannon to help sink anE-boat.[24]The squadron shot down four aircraft and damaged several others, as well as accounting for an E-boat and their exploits received extensive publicity in British and New Zealand newspapers.[23][25]

In March 1942, having already attacked an E-boat earlier in the flight, Checketts had his firstdogfightwith German aircraft while escortingDouglas Bostonbombers on a mission toLe Havre.Attacked byMesserschmitt Bf 109s,he accidentally set off a series ofVery flareswhile performing evasive moves. This apparently scared off the attacking Bf 109.[26]Further missions across the English Channel followed,[27]and on 4 May 1942, Checketts was set upon by six Bf 109s. He was shot down and bailed out over the channel. He was rescued from his inflatable dinghy by a rescue launch of theRoyal Navy.[28]It was only after he was aboard the launch that he realised he had been wounded in the leg by shrapnel.[29]His injuries were minor and he returned to operational duties, carrying out interception and low-level strafing missions, escorting bombers, and undertaking fighter sweeps, within three days of being shot down.[30]

Checketts was promoted toflying officerin June 1942 and was soon posted to"Sailor" Malan'sCentral Gunnery SchoolatSutton Bridge,in Lincolnshire.[31]He soon became friendly with Malan, the two going hunting together, and he spent a month improving his aerial marksmanship. Rated "above average" at aerial marksmanship by Malan,[32]Checketts rejoined No. 485 Squadron, which was being rested from frontline duties, on 23 July. Now based atKing's CliffenearPeterborough,the squadron was conducting convoy and night patrols overNorfolkas well as fighter sweeps across to theLow Countries.[33][34]In mid-August 1942, having accumulated 220 operational flying hours in nine months, and in need of a rest, Checketts was sent toMartlesham Heathto serve as an instructor in fighter gunnery, specialising in deflection shooting.[33]After a few months, he returned to operational duties, this time withNo. 611 Squadron.[35]Along withNo. 340 Squadron,aFree Frenchsquadron, it formed awing,commanded by Al Deere and based atBiggin Hillas part ofNo. 11 Fighter Group.[36]

Checketts was soon flying offensive operations with the Spitfire Vb, escorting a bombing raid toAbbevilleon 13 January 1943, during which he engaged and damaged aFocke-Wulf Fw 190.This was his first official claim for a damaged fighter; Malan, now station commander at Biggin Hill, had queried Checketts about the operation afterwards and ordered him to make a claim. Although Checketts had damaged others in the previous year he had never put in official claims for them.[37]The Spitfire Vb was outclassed by the Fw 190 and the squadron soon reequipped with the Spitfire IXb.[38]In April 1943, Checketts was given command of the squadron's B Flight.[39]On 30 May 1943 he shot down a Fw 190 while on an escort mission toCaen.This was his first confirmed aerial victory; he had already damaged four Fw 190s earlier in the month.[40]

A line up of Spitfire Vbs of No. 485 (NZ) Squadron

Mid-1943 was spent primarily escortingmedium bomberson raids to France, Belgium and the Netherlands, or in offensive operations against German fighters. In June 1943, Checketts was promoted toflight lieutenantand also received an honorary commission as a pilot in theFree French Air Forces.[41]By this time, he was regularly flying alongsideNo. 341 Squadron,another Free French unit that had replaced No. 340 Squadron.[42]Later in the month, he was able to test fly a captured Fw 190, considering it well matched against his Spitfire except at high altitudes.[41]At the end of the month, he was advised that the squadron was to be withdrawn from the frontline for a rest. Since the start of the year, Checketts had recorded 196 flying hours and completed 100 missions; as it happened, he was to remain at Biggin Hill.[43]On the recommendation of Deere, Checketts was given command of his former unit, No. 485 Squadron, now part of the Biggin Hill Wing, and promoted tosquadron leaderthe following month.[43][44]Checketts' new command would have had, as a typical fighter squadron, an operational establishment of 16 aircraft.[45]It was to swap their old Spitfire Vbs with No. 611 Squadron's Spitfire IXbs.[46]

Command of No. 485 Squadron

[edit]

On assuming command of No. 485 Squadron, Checketts changed its tactics, drilling it in the "finger four" formation rather than the weaving formation previously used and which led to avoidable casualties. His new command spent several weeks on bomber escort duties[47]and on 15 July 1943 he shot down a Fw 190 near the Somme Estuary.[48]This was followed several days later by two more Fw 190s, one over Tricqueville and the other on the French coast. He had accounted for two of the four German aircraft shot down by No. 485 Squadron that day. The wing's No. 341 Squadron destroyed a further five aircraft. With neither squadron of the Biggin Hill Wing suffering any casualties, it was recognised for its efforts with congratulatory telegrams fromWinston ChurchillandAir MarshalTrafford Leigh-Mallory,the head ofFighter Command.[49][50]On 31 July 1943, Checketts claimed a Bf 109G while on a bomber escort mission to Tricqueville.[49][51]Guiding the squadron towards Douai as cover for a group ofMartin B-26 Marauderbombers on 9 August 1943, Checketts spotted a flight of eight Bf 109s in the distance. With the permission of Deere, also flying as commander of the Biggin Hill wing, Checketts led a breakaway section of four Spitfires to attack them. He quickly destroyed three of the Bf 109s and damaged another while the other pilots in the section destroyed one each.[52][53]This action received considerable publicity and was the subject of a BBC radio broadcast featuring Checketts.[52]For his exploits he was later awarded theDistinguished Flying Cross(DFC); the citation, published on 17 August 1943, read:

This officer has led the squadron and, on occasions the wing, with great skill. He has invariably displayed great keenness to engage the enemy and has destroyed two enemy aircraft and damaged several more. In addition he has destroyed two E-boats and successfully attacked military installations.

— London Gazette,No. 36135, 17 August 1943.[54]
Checketts stands fourth left, with Wing CommanderAlan Deereon his left and the New Zealand High Commissioner,William Jordan,on his right, on the latter's visit to No. 485 Squadron, 1943

While acting as high cover for bombers attacking an airfield nearRouenon 22 August, No. 485 Squadron was jumped by a force of Fw 190s and Bf 109s, and several pilots were shot down. Checketts probably destroyed a Bf 109 but as he did not see it go down, he claimed it as damaged. The following day, he shot down a Fw 190. By now he was occasionally leading the Biggin Hill Wing on its raids, one being on 24 August 1943, when it covered a bombing raid on an airfield near Paris.[55]

On 6 September 1943, No. 485 Squadron flew high cover for B-26 Marauders bombing the rail marshalling yards atSerqueux, Seine-Maritime.The Spitfires were attacked by 20 Fw 190s from above. Checketts shot one down but was then attacked by several others and his aircraft was set on fire. Burned and wounded, he struggled to bail out. He landed 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Abbeville[56]in a field where he was approached by a French boy who helped him on to his bicycle and then wheeled him to nearby woods.[57]The next day he was taken by a Frenchman to his own home, where his injuries were tended by the Frenchman's wife.[58]

After several days of recovery, Checketts was passed onto theFrench Resistance,[59]which shuttled him from house to house until he met with four other downed pilots in hiding, including another from his squadron, Flight Sergeant Terry Kearins,[60]who had been shot down on 15 July.[48]Several days of travel around the north of France ensued as various plans to get the pilots to England were formulated and discarded. During this time, they stayed with the Lavanants, a French farmer and his family. Their daughter, Marie, was active in the resistance.[61]Eventually, they were taken across the English Channel in a fishing boat.[62][63]

Checketts underwent an intensive debriefing to confirm his identity and to eliminate the possibility that he was a German spy before returning to No. 485 Squadron, which was now based atHornchurch.[64]He requested a return to operational duty but this was denied; he was advised by the commander of No. 11 Group,Air Vice MarshalHugh Saunders,that he needed a less stressful role.[65]Checketts was posted to the Central Gunnery School as an instructor,[66]ending his tenure as commander of No. 485 Squadron.[65]

From the time he took command until he was shot down, No. 485 Squadron had destroyed more enemy aircraft than any other squadron of No. 11 Fighter Group.[67]In December 1943, he was awarded theDistinguished Service Order(DSO). The citation, published in theLondon Gazette,read:

In air operations this officer has displayed courage, fortitude and skill of a high order. He has taken part in a very large number and has proved his skill in many combats, having destroyed at least 11 aircraft; he has also caused the destruction of 2 E. boats. By his exceptional keenness and fine fighting spirit, Squadron Leader Checketts has proved a source of inspiration to all.

— London Gazette,No. 36271, 3 December 1943.[68]

Return to operations

[edit]

After six months as an instructor, in April 1944 Checketts was given command ofNo. 1 Squadron.It was equipped with theHawker Typhoonfighter-bomber but was to convert to Spitfires. After six weeks, he was promoted towing commanderand appointed to lead Horne Wing, which included three squadrons of Spitfires and was based atHorneinSurrey.[69]From Horne, he led his command as it provided cover for theinvasion of Normandyand subsequent operations into Caen. He carried out four sorties on D-Day, logging seven hours and 35 minutes of flight time. During the course of the day, his aircraft was struck by friendly fire from British ships off the landing beaches.[70][71]Soon after D-Day the Germans started launchingV-1 flying bombsand by the middle of the month, he had destroyed two of these.[71]On 27 August 1944, he was leading one squadron as an escort toAvro LancasterandHandley Page Halifaxheavy bomberson their way to attack an oil refinery nearDüsseldorf.Messerschmitt Me 163rocket fighters ofJagdgeschwader400were scrambled to intercept the bombers and were engaged by his fighters. Checketts was attacked by an Me 163 but managed to evade it.[72]

Checkett's Spitfire when he flew as wing commander of Horne Wing, 1944

By September 1944, Checketts' wing was primarily engaged in escorting American heavy bombers on daylight missions to Germany.[73]He was later awarded theSilver Starfor this work.[74]His last operation with Horne Wing was on 25 September 1944. While flying as high escort cover overArnhem,he shared in the destruction of a Bf 109 with one of his flight commanders. The next day, overdue for a rest having flown 115 missions and logging 301 flying hours as wing commander, he was removed from flight duty.[75]

This would prove to be the end of Checketts' operational career in the war. He was credited with destroying 14½ enemy aircraft, along with three probables and 11 damaged. He had also destroyed two V-1 flying bombs.[76]Aviation historians Christopher Shores and Clive Williams consider he had achieved 14 victories, three probables, eight damaged and two V-1s destroyed.[77]He was the eighth mostsuccessful New Zealand fighter pilot of the war,based on enemy aircraft destroyed.[78]As well as receiving the DSO, DFC and Silver Star, he was made an honorary member of theFree Polish Air Force,having flown 25 missions with the RAF'sNo. 303 Polish Squadron,part of the Horne Wing, and awarded theCross of Valour.[79]

Final months of war service

[edit]

In October 1944, Checketts was posted to theCentral Fighter Establishmentat the RAF base atWittering,near Peterborough. He specialised in the analysis of short-range high altitude fighters, discussing and writing about the tactics of using these types of aircraft. In the course of his duties, he flew several types of aircraft, both Allied and German.[80]He also returned to France to visit the various people who had helped him evade capture there after being shot down. He was distressed to find that at least one had been arrested by the Germans and later died in captivity.[81]

By April 1945, with the war in Europe nearly over, Checketts sought a transfer to thePacific Theatre of Operationsso that he could fly with the RNZAF against the Japanese. This was declined and he instead was sent to theEmpire Central Flying SchoolinWiltshire.This was considered to be a "university of flying",[82]and when he graduated in August 1945 it was with a "Distinguished Pass".[83]The war against Japan had ended and the RNZAF ordered him home for repatriation.[84]He arrived back in New Zealand on 1 October 1945, having travelled there via Canada, the United States and Fiji. His reception at Auckland included a large press contingent.[85]

Postwar career

[edit]

After the war Checketts, wanting to remain in the RNZAF, was encouraged by theChief of Air Staff,Air Vice-MarshalLeonard Isitt,to consider a transfer to the RAF. Isitt advised that career prospects in the RNZAF were likely to be limited as it would be downsized considerably from its war footing. Checketts reaffirmed his desire to serve in New Zealand,[86]notwithstanding the comments ofWalter Nash,the Minister of Finance, to expect a cut in pay. Nash's comments greatly angered Checketts, who pointed out that the government was quite prepared to pay more when pilots' lives were at risk serving their country in wartime.[87]

On 10 November 1945, in Christchurch, Checketts married Natalie Grover, whom he had first met during training at Wigram in 1940. Several former pilots of No. 485 Squadron attended the ceremony as did theNew Zealand High Commissionerfrom London, on a visit to Christchurch at the time.[87]Checketts' first post-war position with the RNZAF was as administrative officer at Wigram, assisting with the demobilisation of RNZAF personnel.[88]He soon lost his rank of acting wing commander, reverting to squadron leader but this was restored in February 1947.[89]Later that year, he set a new record of three hours and 38 minutes for an aeroplane crossing theTasman Seawhen he delivered ade Havilland Mosquitorecently acquired by the RNZAF from theRoyal Australian Air Force.[90]

Checketts implemented the introduction of the de Havilland Vampire, shown here at theSouthward Car MuseuminOtaihanga,to the RNZAF

In November 1947, with his wing commander rank made substantive, Checketts was appointed commander of the RNZAF Station atLaucala Bayin Fiji.[91]This was followed by a year, beginning in January 1950, at theRoyal Air Force Staff CollegeinBracknell,England. He then held a short posting withBritish Air Forces of Occupationin Germany before returning to New Zealand in April 1951.[92]Checketts was appointed officer commanding the RNZAF Flying Wing based atOhakeain May 1951. He was responsible for introducing thede Havilland Vampireto formNo. 14 Squadron,the RNZAF's first jet squadron.[93]

Checketts became commander of Taieri Station in December 1952, training flyers for theNew Zealand Territorial Air Force.[94]He also served for a time as aide-de-camp to theGovernor General,Sir Willoughby Norrie,was involved in the New Zealand leg of the 1953–54 Royal Tour,[95]and was awarded theQueen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.[96]

At the time of Checketts' command of Taieri Station, the main aircraft used in flight training were theHarvardand theNorth American P-51 Mustang,the latter of which he considered unsuitable for use by inexperienced territorial pilots. In September 1954, an aircraft practicing night flying from Taieri Station crashed, killing the pilot and his passenger. Unbeknown to Checketts, territorial pilots were not allowed to perform night flying and at the subsequent inquiry, he was held responsible for the accident. Checketts resigned from the RNZAF in protest, considering the outcome unjustified.[95]

Later life

[edit]

Following his resignation from the RNZAF, Checketts started anaerial topdressingcompany, going into partnership withLeonard Wright,the mayor of Dunedin, andJack Manchester,a former captain of theAll Blacks.Recognising that aerial topdressing, not widely employed in farming in New Zealand at the time, could be a lucrative business, he purchased a Tiger Moth to form the basis of the business. Although Checketts had intended to focus on bringing in orders, he ended up doing most of the flying for the company when the original pilot crashed the Tiger Moth.[97]In July 1958, having experienced two plane crashes, he sold the business.[98]He became a salesman of agricultural chemicals, working for his former business partner, Wright.[99]

In 1963, Checketts was the successful applicant for the position of secretary-manager for theOtago Acclimatisation Society.In this role, he was involved in the regulation of hunting and fishing as well asconservation work.In 1973, he moved to Christchurch to take up similar work on behalf of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society.[99]His role required him to liaise with hunting and fishing organisations, which were often in conflict. Worn down by the stresses, he resigned from the society in 1978 and found part-time employment in the leather-working industry. He retired in 1982.[100]

In his later years, Checketts was involved in the development of theRoyal New Zealand Air Force Museumat Wigram.[101]He was already an honorary member of the No. 1 Officer's Mess at the RNZAF base at Wigram.[100]In 1990, he was the subject of a "This Is Your Life"television show, which reunited him with Marie Lavenant, who had helped him return to England after he had bailed out over France.[102]Another participant in the show was Deere, his former commander.[103] Checketts died of cancer at his home in Christchurch on 21 April 2006, aged 94. He was survived by two sons and a daughter,[104]his wife having predeceased him by several years. After a service at St. Matthew's Anglican Church, for which the RNZAF provided a guard of honour, a P-51D Mustang performed a flypast.[105]

Legacy

[edit]

Checketts is remembered by at least two street names in New Zealand towns; Checketts Avenue in Christchurch[100]and Checketts Place in his hometown, Invercargill.[106]The engine from the Spitfire which he bailed out of over France in 1943 was later recovered and is now displayed at theAir Force Museum of New Zealandat Wigram.[107]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^Orange 2006,p. 18.
  2. ^Orange 2006,p. 19.
  3. ^Orange 2006,pp. 22–23.
  4. ^abcOrange 2006,p. 25.
  5. ^Orange 2006,p. 20.
  6. ^Orange 2006,p. 21.
  7. ^Orange 2006,p. 23.
  8. ^Orange 2006,pp. 25–26.
  9. ^Orange 2006,p. 27.
  10. ^Orange 2006,p. 29.
  11. ^Orange 2006,pp. 30–31.
  12. ^Orange 2006,p. 32.
  13. ^Orange 2006,pp. 34–35.
  14. ^Orange 2006,p. 37.
  15. ^Wells 1984,p. 42.
  16. ^Orange 2006,p. 41.
  17. ^abOrange 2006,pp. 37–38.
  18. ^Wells 1984,p. 48.
  19. ^Wells 1984,p. 33.
  20. ^Deere 1999,p. 224.
  21. ^Orange 2006,pp. 40–41.
  22. ^Orange 2006,p. 44.
  23. ^abWells 1984,pp. 50–53.
  24. ^Orange 2006,pp. 45–46.
  25. ^Orange 2006,p. 47.
  26. ^Orange 2006,p. 49.
  27. ^Orange 2006,p. 51.
  28. ^Wells 1984,pp. 71–72.
  29. ^Orange 2006,pp. 54–55.
  30. ^Orange 2006,p. 57.
  31. ^Orange 2006,p. 60.
  32. ^Orange 2006,p. 62.
  33. ^abOrange 2006,p. 63.
  34. ^Wells 1984,p. 75.
  35. ^Orange 2006,p. 65.
  36. ^Orange 2006,p. 66.
  37. ^Orange 2006,pp. 66–67.
  38. ^Orange 2006,p. 68.
  39. ^Orange 2006,p. 70.
  40. ^Orange 2006,p. 77.
  41. ^abOrange 2006,pp. 78–79.
  42. ^Orange 2006,p. 71.
  43. ^abOrange 2006,p. 80.
  44. ^Deere 1999,p. 272.
  45. ^Deere 1999,p. 82.
  46. ^Wells 1984,p. 94.
  47. ^Orange 2006,p. 84.
  48. ^abOrange 2006,p. 85.
  49. ^abWells 1984,p. 98.
  50. ^Orange 2006,p. 86.
  51. ^Orange 2006,pp. 87–88.
  52. ^abOrange 2006,pp. 88–89.
  53. ^Wells 1984,pp. 99–101.
  54. ^"No. 36135".The London Gazette(Supplement). 17 August 1943. p. 3682.
  55. ^Orange 2006,pp. 90–91.
  56. ^Orange 2006,pp. 94–95.
  57. ^Orange 2006,p. 96.
  58. ^Orange 2006,p. 98.
  59. ^Orange 2006,pp. 100–101.
  60. ^Orange 2006,pp. 102–104.
  61. ^Orange 2006,pp. 108–111.
  62. ^Orange 2006,pp. 115–116.
  63. ^Wells 1984,p. 110.
  64. ^Orange 2006,pp. 118–119.
  65. ^abOrange 2006,p. 120.
  66. ^Orange 2006,p. 122.
  67. ^Thompson 1956,p. 191.
  68. ^"No. 36271".The London Gazette(Supplement). 3 December 1943. p. 5283.
  69. ^Orange 2006,p. 126.
  70. ^Lambert 2011,pp. 336–337.
  71. ^abOrange 2006,pp. 128–130.
  72. ^Ransom & Camman 2010,p. 47.
  73. ^Orange 2006,p. 133.
  74. ^"No. 37036".The London Gazette(Supplement). 17 April 1945. p. 2029.
  75. ^Orange 2006,p. 136.
  76. ^Hanson 2001,pp. 121–122.
  77. ^Shores & Williams 1994,pp. 173–174.
  78. ^Bowers, Al; Lednicer, David."Fighter Pilot Aces List".Air War College.Archived fromthe originalon 1 March 2010.Retrieved20 January2019.
  79. ^Orange 2006,p. 138.
  80. ^Orange 2006,pp. 139–140.
  81. ^Orange 2006,p. 141.
  82. ^Orange 2006,p. 142.
  83. ^Orange 2006,p. 143.
  84. ^Orange 2006,p. 144.
  85. ^Orange 2006,pp. 145–146.
  86. ^Orange 2006,p. 146.
  87. ^abOrange 2006,p. 148.
  88. ^Orange 2006,pp. 150–151.
  89. ^Orange 2006,p. 152.
  90. ^Orange 2006,p. 154.
  91. ^Orange 2006,p. 155.
  92. ^Orange 2006,p. 160.
  93. ^Orange 2006,pp. 161–162.
  94. ^Orange 2006,p. 162.
  95. ^abOrange 2006,pp. 164–165.
  96. ^Taylor & Coddington 1994,p. 96.
  97. ^Orange 2006,pp. 167–168.
  98. ^Orange 2006,pp. 170–171.
  99. ^abOrange 2006,p. 171.
  100. ^abcOrange 2006,p. 172.
  101. ^Orange 2006,p. 173.
  102. ^Orange 2006,p. 7.
  103. ^Smith 2003,p. 146.
  104. ^"Wing Cdr Johnny Checketts".The Daily Telegraph.26 April 2006.Retrieved9 November2011.
  105. ^Orange 2006,pp. 6–7.
  106. ^"Invercargill Street Signs Honour Servicemen".Invercargill City Council. 14 November 2018.Retrieved2 January2019.
  107. ^"Johnny Checketts' Spitfire Engine".Air Force Museum of New Zealand.Retrieved2 January2019.

References

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