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By: Averil Stuart 2nd Oct 2023 2:39PMI'm a great fan of Alan Deere and have his book, "Nine Lives" It's a very good read. We lived in the house he lived in Stout St.

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Wing Commander Alan Deere,1944 - born in Westport, New Zealand, in 1917.

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DescriptionWing Commander Alan Deere.
Born in Westport, New Zealand, in 1917, Deere was commissioned in the RAF in January 1938. Posted to No. 54 Squadron, he flew Spitfires during the Battle of France and became a fighter ace by the end of May 1940. For his exploits he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) the following month.

He participated in the subsequent Battle of Britain, during which he shot down several more enemy aircraft, and had his Spitfire destroyed from under him more than once. His continued accomplishments earned him a bar to his DFC in September 1940.

He was soon promoted to squadron leader, and commanded No. 403 Squadron RCAF for several months in 1942.
He led a fighter wing from Biggin Hill for six months in 1943.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his achievements as well as the American DFC for his role in escorting B-17's and French award, the Croix de Guerre.

During the early stages of the war, Deere had a Kiwi painted on the side of 3 of his Spitfires.

As a fighter pilot Deere survived several near-death experiences.

While covering the evacuations over Dunkirk, he was shot down by the rear gunner of Do-17 and had to crash land on a beach. (this Spitfire was the first ‘Kiwi’)

During the Battle of Britain he was shot down by a BF-109 and a friendly Spitfire. Having to bail out both times.

He collided in mid-air with another BF-109 and had to force land his crippled Spitfire in a field in Kent. (This was ‘Kiwi II’)

While scrambling off the runway while under attack, his flight of 3 Spitfires were destoryed by a bomb blast. Deere's Spitfire was flipped onto its back, but he was able to escape through the little door.

Once while on a night patrol, he was vectored by ground control in a barrage balloon field, and was only just able to avoid hitting at the last second. Upon landing, he was reprimanded for his foul language over the radio!

During a training mission, in which he was teaching a new pilot about dogfighting tactics, the second Spitfire collided with his, and he was forced to bail out, yet again. His parachute was damaged, but luckily he landed in raw sewage which softened his fall. (this Spitfire was ‘Kiwi III’)

After this, he stopped painting a Kiwi on his planes, as one of his squadron mates quipped “the wretched bird doesn't seem to want to fly”. Deere agreed.

While flying over the North Sea, his engine stopped and he was forced to make yet another forced landing.

Once, his oxygen supply failed and he lost conusionous, waking up just in time to avoid crashing into the sea.

You can read all about these stories in more detail in Deere's book, 'Nine Lives'

By the end of the war, he was credited with the destruction of 22 enemy aircraft, ranking him the second-highest scoring New Zealand fighter ace.

Deere remained in the RAF after the war, commanding several stations and training establishments. He also wrote his autobiography, which was published in 1959. He left military service in 1967, having risen to the rank of air commodore, and continued to live in the United Kingdom. In civilian life, he worked with the RAF as its sporting director until his retirement in 1977.

He passed away in 1995, fittingly, his ashes were scattered over the River Thames from a Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Deere's nephew, Brendon Deere, has restored a Spitfire Mk IX back to flying status. This aircraft is presented in the markings of Deere's aircraft as it would have appeared when he was a wing commander at Biggin Hill in June 1943. This Spitfire can be seen at airshows all over New Zealand, and is a truly beautiful machine and an amazing tribute to Air Commodore Deere.
Also, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flights Spitfire Mk II is painted in the colours of 'Kiwi III'. This Spitfire is special as it is the only remaining airworthy Spitfire that flew during the Battle of Britain.

Photo taken in 1944, part of the R.A.F. 'ACES' PICTURE SERIES.

© IWM CH 13621
Colourised by Daniel Rarity See LessDate of Photo1944Map^[1]ContributorPam Englefield-Absolum

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Location (city or town)WestportPersonAlan DeereEventWing Commander Alan Deere,1944

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From Facebook

Date Created18th October 2021CommentsRichard Howe

Alan Deere is mentioned in the new book Air Marshal Sir Keith Park. He was a respected Pilot.

Les Holmes Germanicus
He has always been mentioned in all books and publications about the Battle of Britain, as he was an ace pilot.

Richard Howe

Les Holmes Germanicus He fully supported Sir Keith's approach to fighting the enemy, when others were trying to undermine his actions. Including Douglas Bader. Sir Keith's actions proved themselves. He also had respect for other New Zealand pilots, too.
Jeffrey Paparoa Holman
Nine Lives and then some.

David Cook
Al Deere wrote a book called "Nine Lives." A good read.

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Wing Commander Alan Deere,1944 - born in Westport, New Zealand, in 1917.

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