James Stellin
Saving civilian lives cost James Stellin his own.
Now the heroics of this Second World War pilot are being remembered thanks, in part, to King Country’s Maraea Lammas.
Originally from Oparure, Maraea, aged 80, has lived in France for the past 16 years.
While watching a television programme about the Second World War, she was inspired to learn more about Stellin, an RAF pilot from Wellington.
“What moved us most about James Stellin’s story was his bravery shown by saving the village of Saint-Maclou-la-Brière and its people,” she said.
“Recently, we went to the village in Normandy and James’ resting place.”
“I looked online and found information about him. I discovered what an interesting story he has and I thought why had I not heard of him?”
Stellin’s is a captivating saga. This flying Kiwi was killed on August 19, 1944, in the wake of the D-Day landings.
His damaged Hawker Typhoon fighter-bomber was on course to crash into of Saint-Maclou-la-Brière. Rather than bail out and save himself, Stellin manoeuvred his plane away, saving civilian lives at the expense of his own.
Stellin’s parents received a heartfelt letter from a C Jacobs from the French resistance, it read:
‘On realising the great destruction his plane would cause if it were to crash in the centre of the village, the pilot straightened up his plane with a vigorous and supreme effort, made a half-climb, then turning sharp left at an acute angle, it fell rapidly, crashing less than a mile away.
‘We placed the bier in state at the doors of the mayor’s office. Everyone brought armfuls of flowers picked lovingly in the gardens and left them with deep respect and infinite gratitude.’
Stellin was posthumously awarded the French Croix de Guerre avec Palme (cross of war with palms) for performing heroic deeds in combat.
Maraea Lammas (nee Paki) appreciates the value of civic responsibility – her mother, Rora Paki, was a foundation member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League and received an MBE for services to her community.
Maraea’s first visit to a little piece of Normandy, which is ‘forever New Zealand’, won’t be her last.
“On November 11, Armistice Day, we will return to Saint-Maclou-la-Brière to remember this brave pilot,” she said. “Every Anzac Day and Armistice Day we will remember James and all the other brave men and women who served our country.”
