1. Robert Spurdle was credited with the destruction of ten enemy aircraft.
24 Facts About Robert Spurdle
1. 2.
Robert Spurdle flew Supermarine Spitfires with No 74 Squadron during the later stages of the Battle of Britain and later flew with No 91 Squadron.
3.
Robert Spurdle returned to Europe in 1944, flying with No 80 Squadron as its commander.
4.
Robert Spurdle decided to pursue a career in military aviation and in early 1939, applied for a short-service commission in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
5.
Robert Spurdle went to No 1 Elementary Flying Training School at the RNZAF station at Taieri and then No 1 Flight Training School at Wigram Air Base in Christchurch.
6.
Robert Spurdle engaged and shot down a Bf 109, which crashed near Ashford in Kent.
7.
Robert Spurdle claimed one of the probables, a Ju 87, and two others damaged.
8.
Robert Spurdle made two voyages to the United States aboard CAM ships but these were without incident due to a lack of enemy activity.
9.
Robert Spurdle visited the pilot, who had been hospitalised, and found that he was Horst Bennokruger, a flying ace of the Luftwaffe who had shot down a reported 17 British aircraft.
10.
Just two days later, Robert Spurdle had an encounter with another Fw 190, claiming it as damaged.
11.
Robert Spurdle was then loaned to the RNZAF, returning to New Zealand in December 1942.
12.
Robert Spurdle was tasked with establishing a Camera Gun Assessing School, based at the RNZAF's base at Ohakea, a duty that he performed from January to May 1943.
13.
Robert Spurdle was then posted as a flight commander in the RNZAF's No 16 Squadron.
14.
Robert Spurdle was given command of the squadron two months later.
15.
Robert Spurdle led the squadron during its support of the parachute landings at Arnhem, targeting the German flak guns.
16.
Robert Spurdle was stood down from operations in early January 1945, on account of being fatigued from his extensive war service, and was sent to serve at the headquarters of No 83 Group.
17.
Robert Spurdle was invested with the DFC in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace later in the year.
18.
Robert Spurdle was later attached to the 11th Armoured Division, working in a similar role co-ordinating fighter activities in support of the British forces as they advanced to the Elbe, where he finished the war in May 1945.
19.
In July 1945, Robert Spurdle was sent to the Central Gunnery School at Catfoss.
20.
Robert Spurdle was to take an instructor's course there but a few days after his arrival, his service with the RAF ended and he was transferred to the RNZAF.
21.
Robert Spurdle was transferred to the reserve in April 1946, after a period of leave.
22.
Robert Spurdle became interested in maritime pursuits, taking up diving and going on a sailing cruise for four months around the South Pacific.
23.
Robert Spurdle later wrote his memoirs, The Blue Arena, published in 1986.
24.
Robert Spurdle died on 5 March 1994 at Whitianga and his remains were interred at Mercury Bay cemetery.