Derek Harland Ward facts for kids

Derek Harland Ward (born July 31, 1917 – died June 17, 1942) was a brave New Zealand pilot. He was a 'flying ace' for the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. This means he shot down at least five enemy planes. He was officially credited with six victories.

Derek was born in Whangarei, New Zealand. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1937. By the end of that year, he earned his pilot's wings. He then joined the RAF. He flew Hawker Hurricanes with No. 151 Squadron at the start of World War II. Later, he joined No. 87 Squadron. He fought in the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain.

In October 1941, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The next month, he became the leader of No. 73 Squadron in Egypt. He led many missions during the North African campaign. These missions included protecting bombers and attacking enemy airfields. In May 1942, he received a bar (an extra award) for his DFC. Derek Ward was shot down and killed by a German ace pilot, Hans-Joachim Marseille, on June 17, 1942.

Derek Ward's Early Life and Training

Derek Harland Ward was born on July 31, 1917. His parents were Sidney and Margaret Ward. His father was a doctor in Whangarei, New Zealand. Derek went to school in Whangarei. He was even a head prefect at Whangarei High School.

In 1936, Derek tried to join the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). He was not accepted at first. Early in 1937, he started flying lessons in Hamilton. In April, he got his pilot's license. Two months later, he tried to join the RNZAF again, and this time he was successful.

He started flight training in June at Wigram Air Base. He learned to fly planes like the Hawker Tomtit, Avro 626, and Vickers Vildebeest. By the end of 1937, he had earned his pilot's wings.

Joining the Royal Air Force

After more training in early 1938, Derek was chosen to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the United Kingdom. He left New Zealand in April with seven other RNZAF members. They sailed on a ship called the Tamaroa.

He started his service with the RAF on June 1 as a pilot officer. After a training course, he joined No. 151 Squadron. This squadron flew Gloster Gauntlets from RAF North Weald. Derek was known as an excellent pilot. He was even part of the squadron's aerobatics team. The squadron soon started using Hawker Hurricane planes. In April 1939, Derek showed off the Hurricane to a Romanian official visiting England.

Derek Ward in World War II

At the start of World War II, No. 151 Squadron did not see much fighting. They mostly shot down stray balloons or chased unknown planes. In February 1940, Derek was promoted to flying officer. He spent two months with a small group operating from RAF Martlesham Heath.

When Germany invaded France and the Low Countries in May 1940, Derek and five other pilots delivered new Hurricanes to No. 87 Squadron in France. Many pilots in No. 87 Squadron had been lost. So, Derek and the other pilots decided to stay and help fight.

Fighting in France

Derek was sent into action right away. On May 18, he was flying with three other Hurricanes. He destroyed a Henschel Hs 126 spy plane near Valenciennes. The next day, he damaged a Dornier Do 17 bomber.

On May 20, any working planes from the squadron were ordered back to the United Kingdom. Derek flew a Hurricane that had no gunsight and few working instruments. He tried to land in northern France to refuel. He saw fires in a nearby town. Two Do 17s were bombing the airfield. Derek attacked them, hitting one and chasing the other away. Then, several Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters attacked him. He managed to escape and land at the airfield. After refueling, he took off. Over the English Channel, he met more Bf 109s. Derek dived low and safely reached RAF Debden. The Hurricane he flew back had a funny painting on its nose. It showed unlucky symbols and said "So what the hell?". This painting became famous with Derek, but it wasn't his usual plane.

The Battle of Britain

Derek stayed with No. 87 Squadron through May and June. The squadron got new planes and pilots. In early July, the Battle of Britain began. The squadron moved to Exeter. Their job was to protect ports and harbors in southwest England. These included Bristol, Plymouth, and the Isle of Portland.

They flew patrols during the day for several months. On August 8, Derek's group started flying night missions from RAF Bibury. A few days later, he became the commander of a flight still at Exeter. On August 15, 1940, the squadron fought a huge battle. They faced 40 Junkers Ju 87 dive-bombers. These were protected by 60 Bf 109s and 20 Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighters. During this fight, Derek destroyed a Bf 110.

In September, he flew both night and day missions. On September 3, he damaged a German plane during a night patrol. No. 87 Squadron flew more night patrols as the Luftwaffe started bombing at night.

The squadron continued night fighter operations through the winter. However, the Hurricane was not great for night fighting. Derek, now a flight lieutenant, suggested attacking German airfields in France at night. His idea was approved. He flew his first such mission on April 9, attacking a base at Caen.

In spring 1941, the squadron was based at RAF Charmy Down. They kept some Hurricanes at St Mary's, off the coast of Cornwall. This was to protect England from the west. Pilots would take turns staying there for a week. In July, Derek and another pilot stopped German bombers trying to attack an airfield. They damaged one of the bombers.

Hawker Hurricanes Mark IICs of No. 87 Squadron at Charmy Down

Fighting in North Africa

In September 1941, Derek was promoted to squadron leader. He was sent to lead No. 73 Squadron in Egypt. This squadron flew night defense missions as part of the campaign in North Africa. His new squadron flew Hurricanes from Port Said.

The next month, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The official announcement said:

This officer fought with his squadron during the air operations in France and destroyed 2 enemy aircraft. Since September, 1940, he has commanded a flight engaged in night flying operations and has performed excellent work, particularly in the training of new pilots. In July, 1941, Flight Lieutenant Ward and another pilot intercepted a force of hostile aircraft which attempted to attack one of our aerodromes from a low altitude. Although the weather conditions were extremely unfavourable, at least 1 of the attacking aircraft was damaged. On another occasion, Flight Lieutenant Ward led a successful attack on the aerodrome at Caen. In spite of anti-aircraft opposition hits were believed to have been obtained on 2 enemy aircraft and, in addition a goods train was machine gunned together with buildings and gun-posts. This officer has always displayed the greatest keenness to engage the enemy.

—London Gazette, No. 35312, 14 October 1941.

From November 1941, Derek led a group of planes in the Western Desert. They supported 'Whitforce', a group of Bristol Blenheim bombers. His job was to protect bombers, sweep for enemies, and attack enemy airfields. On December 8, 1941, he destroyed a Junkers Ju 88 bomber. Two days later, he damaged another Ju 88.

By early 1942, Derek often flew several missions a day. He destroyed an Heinkel He 111 near Tobruk on February 9. Four days later, he likely shot down a Bf 109. The squadron also started attacking enemy bases at night. On May 1, 1942, during a night attack on Barce airfield, Derek saw a large four-engine plane. It was probably a Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor. He shot it down in flames. He received a bar to his DFC for this brave action. The official announcement said:

This officer is a skilful and keen fighter pilot. One night in May, 1942, he led a formation of aircraft in an attack on Barce. The aerodrome and a dispersal area were successfully attacked and, during the operation, Squadron Leader Ward shot down a large aircraft which was approaching the aerodrome and engaged another before his ammunition was expended. This officer has served in France and Britain. He has destroyed 6 hostile aircraft.

—London Gazette, No. 35569, 19 May 1942.

Derek had been on leave for much of May. He returned to duty on June 1, 1942. The next evening, he was sent to stop a Ju 88, which he damaged. In early June 1942, the squadron went back to flying day missions. They operated from Gambut in Libya. They flew patrols, protected bombing raids, and guarded supply convoys.

On June 17, 1942, Derek's squadron was returning to base. They were very low on fuel. Four Bf 109s attacked them. They were led by the famous German pilot Hans-Joachim Marseille. Marseille shot down two Hurricanes, and their pilots parachuted out. Most of the squadron had not noticed this and landed. But Derek went back to protect the pilots as they floated down. While doing so, his plane was shot down by Marseille, and he was killed. His Hurricane crashed near Gambut. At the time of his death, he was credited with destroying six enemy planes.

Derek Ward was first buried nearby. Later, his remains were moved to the Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery in Egypt. In June 1944, his parents received his DFC and bar. The Governor-General of New Zealand, Cyril Newall, presented them in a private ceremony in Auckland.