Lt. Hans – Gunnar Culemann JG27

I have much material related to Nipper Joyce, New Zealand 'Ace' with ten victories, five of these at night (also 3 probables and 10 damaged). He flew with 3 Squadron in the UK and 73 Squadron in North Africa (Hurricanes (9 victories) and Spitfires, OC 1943) then with 122 Squadron (Mustang (1 victory), OC 1944). He undertook 267 operations. He died 18 June 1944. His Mustang was seen by the villagers of Marville les Bois to be shot down. Abbe Gautier of the local Catholic Church wrote to Nipper's mother in late 1945: Ernest Joyce fell with his plane in flames about 5 o'clock in the evening. He found himself separated from his group of planes of which he formed part. A German airman took him by surprise and machine-gunned him. His plane fell at Marville-les-Bois. Immediately we went to his aid. The Germans returned but they did not remain long. After their departure we drew from the plane your dear boy . He was dead. On the Monday morning we had for him a beautiful ceremony in the church. The whole population of Marville and neighbourhood was there. I had with me all the priests of the neighbourhood. The church was filled. The casket was covered with numerous wreaths. The body was accompanied to the ceremony in beautiful procession, young men and girls on both sides of the casket carrying flowers. ... Fortunately the Germans never learned what we had done , otherwise, I, a priest, would have been led away to prison. We recovered the greater part of his belongings which were not burnt... Be assured that we often think of him in our prayers. Next week a mass will be celebrated for him. Equally I pray for you to ask God to give you courage for this mother of an airman who died for France...

A very poignant message from the people of Marville-les-Bois.

Coincidentally I also have a group of many items to the only other New Zealand airman listed as killed on 18 June 1944, F/O Frank Stout 547 Squadron RAF Coastal Command, shot down in a Liberator off the French coast near the Ile de Batz, Roscoff. Stout was even more dramatically buried and honoured by the local people, in defiance of a ban to do so by the Germans, as the Germans stood nearby with guns at the ready. This could very easily have ended in great bloodshed. The locals honour Frank Stout every year.

I hope this information is helpful.