James H. McCaw

James Hugh McCaw, DFC

Educated at Timaru Boys’ High School.
Entered Canterbury Agricultural College in 1939, aged 19.
Member of 1st Rugby XV 1940. Rugby Cap in 1940.
Diploma of Agriculture awarded in 1941.

James (Jim) enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1941 and completed pilot training at Wigram. He was legendary for low flying ‘beat ups’ of his old college, flattening crops and alarming staff! He flew with 486 (NZ) Squadron in Britain piloting Tempests, rising to the rank of Flight Lieutenant. He flew over 300 sorties including attacks on ground targets and shipping, he was skilled in downing German V1 flying bombs and once shot down four in two hours. He was the third highest scoring pilot of 486 Squadron for destroying flying bombs with a tally of 19½. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1944 with his citation noting his efficiency as a flight commander “whose ability and keenness have been reflected in the fine fighting qualities of his flight”.

After the war he farmed in Hakataramea Valley and served on the Waitaki Catchment
Commission and Waimate District Council.

FLT./LT. J. H. McCAW (1939-40) D.F.C. (Immediate Award). The Citation Reads: For hisskill and daring lt./Lt. J. H. McCaw has received the immediate award of the D.F. C. "He has completed a large number of sorties involving many successful attacks on enemy railway communications, mechanical transport and other ground targets. He also is a most efficient Flight Commander whose ability and keenness have been reflected in the fine fighting qualities of his flight." Later reports credit Jim McCaw with four flying bombs in two hours. Source: 1944 Canterbury Agricultural College Magazine (No. 69 November 1944) p.66.