Wings Over Waipapakauri : From Kauri Gumland to Royal New Zealand Air Force. SIGNED BY AUTHOR: Olwyn Ramsey. VERY SCARCE.
Wings Over Waipapakauri : From Kauri Gumland to Royal New Zealand Air Force. SIGNED BY AUTHOR: Olwyn Ramsey. VERY SCARCE.
Published by the author 2007, First Edition. Very good softback, no owner inscriptions, some cover creasing, pages in excellent condition. 196 pages, illustrated.
This book is written in two parts. Part one records the history of Waipapakauri, where the RNZAF base was situated, and Sweetwater where the NZ Army camp was placed for protection of the base. The story is told of first European settlement in 1883, illustrating the extensive kauri gum industry and other activities relating to the district, and concludes at the start of hostilities of WWII in 1939. Part two 1940-1945 consists mainly of the activities round the Waipapakauri RNZAF Base and radar stations but also glimpses into how the presence of armed services impacted on people's lives and changed the Far North. Army, Home guard, coast watching, Kaitaia aerodrome and Te Hapua airstrip are also included in this section.