Scroll
Production date
Circa 1940s
Description
A World War II memorial scroll commemorating Sergeant Ronald Reardon. " This scroll commemorates / Sergeant / R. G. Reardon / Royal New Zealand Air Force / held in honour as one who / served King and Country in / the world war of 1939-1945 / and gave his life to save / mankind from tyranny. May / his sacrifice help to bring / the peace and freedom for / which he died. " is written on the scroll below a royal coat of arms. The scroll is framed behind glass and has a suspension string attached.
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Object detail
He fought as part of Operation Cartwheel (1943–1944) a major military strategy of the Allied forces (United States, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and some Pacific Islands), which targeted the Japanese base at Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. As Kittyhawks could not operate at great heights, they acted as escorts providing close cover for the American bombers during the bombing strikes against Rabaul. The strength of the Kittyhawks came as a result of discipline and teamwork. Reardon left New Zealand for Papua New Guinea on the 9th January 1943. His Kittyhawk was shot down one month later off the coast of Kabanga, southwest of Rabaul.
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