Larry Siegert

Air Vice Marshal Cyril Laurence Siegert, (14 March 1923 – 17 September 2007) was an air officer of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, who served as a bomber pilot during the Second World War and rose to be Chief of the Air Staff, the most senior appointment in the RNZAF, from 1976 to 1979.

Early life and education Siegert was born in Fairlie, New Zealand, on 14 March 1923, the son of Lawrence Walter Siegert and his wife Juliet Ann (née Sheehan). He was educated at Fairlie District High School and St Kevin's College, Oamaru. He then attended the Victoria University of Wellington but quit his studies to enlist into Royal New Zealand Air Force on 8 March 1942, a few days before his 19th birthday.

Second World War Siegert received his elementary training in New Zealand,

Early on 6 June 1944 Siegert saw action during Operation Tonga, the British airborne operation launched to precede the beach landings, his No. 190 Squadron aircraft towing a glider carrying men from the 5th Parachute Brigade. On 21 September, the fifth day of the operation, Siegert's squadron was sent to air-drop supplies to the British troops encircled at Oosterbeek. Unfortunately their fighter escorts were largely grounded by fog over England, and the few that did manage to take off arrived late. As a result, the low-flying transports were an easy target for German Fw 190 fighters, and of the 117 transport aircraft that took part in operations that day, 23 were shot down and 38 severely damaged. Of the ten aircraft from No. 109 Squadron, seven were lost. Siegert's aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, then attacked by two enemy Fw 190's, one of which his rear-gunner shot down, before he evaded the other in a violent high-speed dive. His full citation read:

Siegert continued to take part in No. 190 Squadron's special operations over France, Holland, Belgium, and Norway until the end of the war.

In October 1953 Squadron Leader Siegert was the second pilot of the RNZAF Hastings transport aircraft that took part in the London-Christchurch air race. The Hastings competed in the Transport Handicap against a KLM DC-6A and a BEA Viscount, but was forced to land in Negombo, Ceylon, after its No. 2 engine failed during a rain storm. and also served as captain of the Queen's aircraft during the royal tour of New Zealand in December 1953 and January 1954,

Siegert served as an air attaché at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington D.C. between 1954 and 1957,

He was served as Air Officer Commanding RNZAF Operations Group in 1969,

He was promoted to air vice marshal and appointed Chief of the Air Staff in October 1976, serving until October 1979.

Retirement Siegert retired from the RNZAF on 16 November 1979, and joined Marine–Air Systems, serving as General Manager and Director from 1980 to 1984. He was also the President of the Air Cadet League (1980–1985) and a Member of the Air Services Licensing Authority (1980–1986).

On 17 September 2007 Siegert died at Lower Hutt Hospital, aged 84, nine days after the death of his wife.

Personal life Siegert married Shirley Berenice Dick in Brisbane, Australia, on 31 July 1948, and they had four children.