Harvey Sweetman

Who is Harvey Sweetman?

Squadron Leader Harvey Nelson Sweetman is a New Zealand former pilot who served in the Royal Air Force with 486 Squadron during World War II. Sweetman is from the North Island town of Matamata in the Waikato. After service with both 234 and 485 Squadrons, Sweetman joined 486 Squadron as 'B' Flight commander in March 1942. At its establishment, 486 Squadron was equipped with the Hawker Hurricane MkIIB, operating as a night fighter unit from Wittering. On 23/24 July, Sweetman scored the squadron's first aerial victory of the war, a Do217 that was shared with an RCAF Beaufighter.

Shortly after 30 July 1942, 486 Squadron began re-equipping with the newly introduced Hawker Typhoon. In May 1943, Sweetman was the second 486 Squadron pilot to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Still commanding 'B' Flight at this point, Sweetman's tally of victories stood at two aircraft destroyed and a further two shared. In July 1943 Sweetman left 486 to take up production testing for Hawker, returning to the squadron for a second tour to command 'A' Flight in February 1944.