Episode Details

Guest: Frederic ‘Ric’ Martini

Host: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 6th of March 2016

Released:  22nd of February 2017

Duration:  46 minutes 29 seconds

In this episode, which was recorded live during the March 2016 WONZ Forum Meet at the New Zealand Warbirds Association hangar at Ardmore, guest speaker Ric Martini tells the story of his father, Sgt Frederick C. Martini USAAF, and Squadron Leader Phil Lamason DFC*, mid(2), RNZAF who were among those that experienced perhaps the most terrifying captivity of any Prisoners of War, in the SS’s notorious Buchenwald death camp.

Ric discusses how both men ended up in the camp, what went on during their time there and the threat of death they were under, and also what happened to both men when they finally got out and into regular POW camps, and the forced marches they went on. He also discusses what happened to both men post-WWII and the lack of recognition, the cover up of information and the shameful neglect that particularly the US Government showed the veterans who had lived through the awful imprisonment at Buchenwald.

Above and below: Ric Martini during the WONZ Forum Meet presentation heard in this episode
Photos: Dave Homewood

Above: Ric’s father Sgt Frederic C. Martini, one of the Lost Airmen of Buchenwald (via Ric Martini)