WONZ 354 – Maximum Effort
About this episode
The episode discusses the WWII docu-drama 'Maximum Effort' and its real-life context with guests Don Simms and Chris Newey.
Guests: Don Simms and Chris Newey Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 1st of June 2026 Released: 6th of June 2026 Duration: 55 minutes 27 seconds “Maximum Effort” was a docu-drama made by the Ministry of Information during WWII about a crew of a No. 75 (NZ) Squadron Avro Lancaster bomber based at RAF Mepal in mid-1944. In this episode Dave Homewood, Don Simms and Chris Newey discuss the making of this film, the real life characters who appear as themselves, and the Lancaster that is featured, ND752. Portions of the original film footage, along with original black and white and recently colourised photographs are used to illustrate the discussion. This all-but-forgotten film is an amazing time capsule showing life at RAF Mepal, near Ely, Cambridgeshire, which became a little bit of New Zealand back in 1944-45. NOTE: It is recommended that you watch the original 18 minute “Maximum Effort” first, and the watch the WONZ 354 Maximum Effort video. There is an audio podcast version of the latter but the video is much more satisfying. Above: Avro Lancaster ND752 of No. 75 (NZ) Squadron as features in Maximum Effort, as the Whitting…
People in this episode
Host: Dave Homewood
Guests: Don Simms, Chris Newey
Topics covered
- WWII
- documentary
- aviation history
- New Zealand
- RAF Mepal
- film discussion
Keywords
- Maximum Effort
- WWII
- Avro Lancaster
- RAF Mepal
- New Zealand Bomber Command
- documentary
- film discussion
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Ministry of Information, New Zealand Bomber Command Association
Products: Avro Lancaster ND752
Books & works: Maximum Effort
Places: RAF Mepal, Ely, Cambridgeshire
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