James Allan Ward: A Young Airman’s Extraordinary Courage
At just 22 years old, Sergeant James Allan Ward performed one of the most remarkable acts of aerial gallantry recorded in World War II. Serving as second pilot with No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron RAF, Ward faced a life-or-death moment over enemy territory and chose to risk everything to save his crew and their bomber. His action on the night of 7 July 1941 would earn him the Victoria Cross and a permanent place in New Zealand’s military history.
The mission that night targeted Münster, Germany. On the return leg over the Zuider Zee, the squadron’s Vickers Wellington came under attack by a Messerschmitt Bf 110. Shells and incendiary bullets ignited fuel piping in the near-starboard engine, setting the wing alight and threatening to consume the aircraft. The rear gunner, despite suffering a wounded foot, drove off the fighter, but the fire continued to spread and standard measures—hand extinguishers and even buckets of coffee—failed to bring it under control.
Confronted with imminent disaster, Ward volunteered for a task that would have terrified even the most seasoned aviators. Securing himself with a rope and assisted by his navigator, he left the safety of the fuselage through the astrodome and moved out along the wing while the Wellington cruised at roughly 13,000 feet. He battled wind, heat and the destabilizing slipstream to smother the flames with an engine cover and attempt to stop the petrol leak that fed them.
Contemporary accounts emphasize both the physical danger and the technical difficulty of the feat. The Wellington’s wing presented a narrow, slippery, and unstable workspace, with the full force of the slipstream attempting to wrench Ward off the aircraft. Every action was performed against the violent push of the air; progress was measured in inches. Yet he persisted, returning to the fuselage with the immediate danger reduced and his crew alive to fly the crippled bomber home.
Recognition and the Victoria Cross
For this act of exceptional bravery Sergeant Ward was awarded the Victoria Cross, the British Commonwealth’s highest decoration for gallantry. The citation, published in August 1941, praised his cool determination and disregard for personal safety in saving both lives and aircraft. The award marked the first time a New Zealand airman had received this honour during the Second World War and served as a powerful symbol of the courage shown by Dominion aircrew serving with the RAF.
An act of selfless courage that saved his crew and their aircraft.
Tragedy and Legacy
Only two months after his VC action, Sergeant Ward did not survive another operation. On 15 September 1941 his Wellington was struck during a raid over Hamburg and forced to crash-land. Ward was killed in the incident. He was 22 years old. Today he is buried at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Ohlsdorf, Hamburg. His grave and the record of his Victoria Cross continue to draw attention from historians, air force personnel, and the public in New Zealand and abroad.
Why Ward’s Story Matters
Several elements make Ward’s story enduringly important:
- Extraordinary personal risk: Climbing onto the wing of a bomber in flight was not a trained procedure; it was improvisation driven by immediate necessity.
- Technical competence under pressure: Ward identified the fuel source and used an available engine cover to smother flames while exposed to violent slipstreams.
- Leadership and selflessness: His decision prioritized the lives of his comrades and the mission over his own safety.
- Symbolic impact: As the first New Zealand airman to be awarded the VC in WWII, his deed became a touchstone for national pride and for the valor of Dominion servicemen.
Commemoration and Remembrance
Sergeant Ward’s bravery is commemorated in military histories, museum exhibits, and memorials. Photographs, his VC medal (wherever held by family or institution), and official records preserve the facts of the action—while personal accounts and squadron histories help convey the human context. For New Zealanders and allies, Ward’s action is a reminder of the extraordinary measures ordinary young servicemen sometimes took during total war.
His story also prompts reflection on the broader risks aircrews faced: flak, fighter attack, mechanical failures, and the immense strain of night operations. Ward’s willingness to confront those dangers head-on transformed a desperate situation into a successful return for his crew, even as fate later claimed his life on another sortie.
Final Thoughts
James Allan Ward’s legacy is not simply the medal that recognizes his deed but the example of courage it represents. In a single, terrifying instant he chose to act rather than abandon his comrades. That decision saved lives, prevented the loss of an aircraft, and earned him a distinction that still resonates. His name is remembered in New Zealand and the RAF as an embodiment of bravery, sacrifice, and the quiet resolve of those who face danger for the sake of others.
Ward’s grave in Ohlsdorf and the official records of his Victoria Cross remain focal points for commemoration—a testament to a young airman whose brief life continues to inspire.
