Thieves stirke NZ

sheppo · 10 December 2007, 05:49 PM

Another news group of mine has let me know that thieves have stolen 100 odd medals including a VC (charles Upham, related to me by a roundabout course).
They may well be outside NZ already and destined probably for a private "collector", may he die a horrible death.
Chris

joegertler · 10 December 2007, 06:39 PM

I'm afraid it is MUCH more serious (and SAD!)than that, Chris.
Mind-numbing, in fact...

From:
The Dominion Post, New Zealand - 7 Dec 2007

"The Waiouru haul was huge. Among the 96 medals stolen were nine Victoria Crosses, including Charles Upham's VC and Bar - the only double VC decoration awarded to a combat soldier. Two rare George Crosses, an Albert Medal, a Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Medal were also taken.

The odds are the stolen medals may never be seen again. It is believed that only one of the 15 Victoria Crosses known to have been stolen worldwide since the mid-1800s have been recovered - and that one, stolen from the Canadian War Memorial Museum in 1973, was missing for 31 years.

Even on a world scale, the Waiouru raid is probably unprecedented - comparable to the theft of major international artworks.

Australian War Memorial Museum curator Nick Fletcher said: "I don't think there's ever been a bigger theft than this before. No larger group of significant medals has been stolen like this."

Going by overseas auctions in recent years, the haul could be worth $10 million, easily making it the biggest robbery in New Zealand criminal history."

sheppo · 10 December 2007, 06:53 PM

As an aside, are you still in posession of sets or part sets for cowl latches suitable for an albatros D5a?
Im also hunting greaser pumps and numerous other bits and pieces.
Basically all the litle bits I need to fit out the fuselage now that it is finally going together.

chris

ONEALM · 11 December 2007, 08:51 AM

I have two words for those looking at suspects - "Stolen Cub"

Yeoman · 11 December 2007, 10:01 AM

That is terrible news.
What they have done is stealing New Zealand's heritage.

Its not just the thieves you have to worry about though, its those who generate this kind of crime by actually being prepared to buy the stolen medals.

Lets hope that they are recovered as soon as possible.

Kaiser Bill · 11 December 2007, 10:25 AM

Thats disgusting. What possible joy could one get from stealing these artifacts?? Where are the parents in all this??

Kaiser Bill

retread · 12 December 2007, 04:19 PM

"To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

What goes around, comes around.

ONEALM- I assume your talking about your own Cub ?!.

CivvyCivvy · 13 December 2007, 04:06 PM

Awful, awful, awful. Yeoman said it all for me.

ONEALM · 15 December 2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

ONEALM- I assume your talking about your own Cub ?!.

Retread - Nope, but in order not to hijack the thread, I'll leave it at that.l Those who have a little more info are chuckling at the connection between Stolen Cubs, New Zealand and this latest heist...

A genuine shame.

-Mike

Kilian · 15 December 2007, 04:23 PM

Who could pay such a crime only millionairs who do it for fun

Hope these guys will soon be in