WONZ 315 – Grid with Adam Claasen

The Wings Over New Zealand Show

Guest: Dr. Adam Claasen

Host: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 12th of November 2024

Published: 28th of November 2024

Duration: 1 hour 17 minutes, 26 seconds

This episode is a recording of a presentation given by historian and author Dr. Adam Claasen at the Resthaven Community Hall in Cambridge, on the evening of Tuesday the 12th of November 2024.

Adam was talking about the subject of his latest book “GRID”, about the life of Air Commodore Keith Logan “Grid” Caldwell, CBE, MC, DFC & bar, Croix de guerre. The book was recently released by Massey University Press, and covers Grid’s life of adventure as a fighter pilot in World War One, where he became New Zealand’s top scoring ace, and his days between the wars leading the New Zealand Air Force (Territorial) and a key member of the Auckland Aero Club.

And then in World War Two Grid took on leadership roles, commanding both the main flying training stations, Woodbourne and Wigram, and then spending time as the RNZAF representative in London and in India.

Grid Caldwell (1895-1980) was a wonderful Kiwi hero, a tenacious fighter and a great man. Adam’s talk gives an entertaining and insightful look into Grid’s life, whetting the appetite to read more in the book. ‘GRID’ has been listed among the top 10 life story books of the year by The Listener. If you wish to get a copy, the book can be purchased here or all good book stores:

Above: Dr Adam Claasen. Below: More of Adam’s books.

A line up of Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a aircraft of B Flight, No. 74 Squadron, Royal Air Force, at Clairmarais South airfield, France. (Image from the Keith Logan Caldwell personal collection. Air Force Museum of New Zealand)