22 Facts About Jim Sheddan

Jim Sheddan was credited with the destruction of five and a half German aircraft as well as seven V-1 flying bombs.

Jim Sheddan had short postings at No 485 Squadron and No 1 Delivery Flight before being sent to No 486 Squadron in September 1942.

Jim Sheddan was commander of No 486 Squadron during the final stages of the war until its disbandment in the immediate postwar period.

Jim Sheddan retired in the 1980s and wrote his autobiography, which was published in 1993.

Jim Sheddan was then posted to No 485 Squadron at Redhill, which was mostly staffed with New Zealand flying personnel.

Jim Sheddan was prone to ill-discipline and excessive drinking and he was only present for a short period of time at the squadron before he ran afoul of its commander.

Jim Sheddan was transferred to No 1 Delivery Flight, where he transported a variety of aircraft to squadrons of No 11 Group.

In September 1942, Jim Sheddan was duly posted to the Typhoon-equipped No 486 Squadron, the flying personnel of which were mostly New Zealanders.

Jim Sheddan was commissioned as a flying officer in September 1944 and at the end of the month, the squadron shifted to the Volkel airfield in the Netherlands, where it began flying operations as part of the Second Tactical Air Force.

Jim Sheddan spotted a group of German fighters to the northeast of the airfield which he pursued.

Jim Sheddan ended up shooting down a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter north of Venlo.

However, his wingman was killed during the encounter and Jim Sheddan was so upset he never put in a formal claim for the Fi 156.

Jim Sheddan has participated in a very large number of varied sorties during which much damage has been inflicted on such enemy targets as locomotives, barges, industrial buildings and mechanical transport.

On one occasion, Flying Officer Jim Sheddan was forced to bring his damaged aircraft down on the sea.

Jim Sheddan was adrift in the dinghy for 19 hours before being rescued.

On resuming flying operations, Flying Officer Jim Sheddan quickly showed that this experience had in no way diminished his zest for battle and he set a fine example of courage and resolution in pressing home his attack.

Jim Sheddan ended the war credited with shooting down four German aircraft and a share in three other aircraft destroyed, a total of five and a half aerial victories.

Jim Sheddan was credited with destroying seven V-1 flying bombs with a share in an eighth.

Jim Sheddan remained in the service of the RNZAF until his discharge in April 1946.

Jim Sheddan was then placed in the Air Force Reserve until 1973.

Jim Sheddan latterly worked as a pest exterminator in Wainui.

Jim Sheddan died in Helensville on 9 December 2010, survived by two sons.