RNZAF personnel attending a formal ceremony in Tonga after the return of castaways that were rescued from Minerva Reef by a No. 5 Squadron Sunderland.
Squadron Leader Kelvin Bremner, RNZAF Station Lauthala Bay Medical Officer (far right).
Wreck of the Japanese fishing ship Noshemi Maru on Minerva Reef. This is where Tongan fishermen were rescued from by a No. 5 Squadron Sunderland after being castaways.
Aerial oblique view of Minerva Reef with the Wreck of the Japanese fishing ship Noshemi Maru. This is where Tongan fishermen were rescued from by a No. 5 Squadron Sunderland after being castaways.
Image from the KR Bremner personal collection. Four Tongan castaways beside the wreck of the Japanese fishing trawler ship Noshemi Maru on Minerva Reef.
Image from the KR Bremner personal collection. A member of the rescue crew from No. 5 Squadron, standing with some of the castaways beside the wreck of the Japanese fishing trawler ship Noshemi Maru on Minerva Reef.
Image from the KR Bremner personal collection. A member of the rescue crew from No. 5 Squadron, standing with some of the castaways beside the wreck of the Japanese fishing trawler ship Noshemi Maru on Minerva Reef.
Image from the KR Bremner personal collection. Tongan castaways in a rubber dinghy during their rescue from Minerva Reef by a No. 5 Squadron Sunderland crew.
Squadron Leader Kelvin Bremner, RNZAF Station Lauthala Bay Medical Officer, helping to recover the body of Fatai Efiafi, one of the castaways on Minerva Reef, to return it to the family.
Squadron Leader Kelvin Bremner, RNZAF Station Lauthala Bay Medical Officer, helping to recover the body of Fatai Efiafi, one of the castaways on Minerva Reef, to return it to the family.
No. 5 Squadron Sunderland crew members rescuing the Tongan castaways from Minerva Reef.
The four Tongans are Sipa Fine, Talo Fifita, Feuiaki and Soakai (at left and far right).
Bevan Harding Flight Engineer, with trousers rolled up, and Squadron Leader Bernie O'Connor, Pilot, behind.
No. 5 Squadron Sunderland crew members rescuing the Tongan castaways from Minerva Reef.
The Japanese fishing vessel used for shelter is in the background.
Tongans are Sipa Fine, Talo Fifita, Feuiaki and Soakai (left and second from right).
No. 5 Squadron Sunderland crew members rescuing the Tongan castaways from Minerva Reef.
The Tongans are Sipa Fine, Talo Fifita, Feuiaki and Soakai.
Note the lamps in the dinghy which are now in the Air Force Museum collection.
Two crew members from a No. 5 Squadron Sunderland pose with an SOS message painted on the end of a drum on Minerva Reef.
Squadron Leader Kelvin Bremner, Medical Officer (left) and Squadron Leader Bernie O'Connor, Pilot (right).
