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Phil Lamason’s story stands as a timeless reminder of resilience, courage, and the triumph of the human spirit. His leadership and unwavering positivity helped save the lives of fellow airmen imprisoned in Buchenwald concentration camp. He deserves to be recognised among the most significant New Zealand figures of the Second World War.

An important new memorial is planned in Dannevirke to honour the service and courage of Squadron Leader Phil Lamason, DFC and Bar (NZ403460).

Squadron Leader Phil Lamason, DFC and Bar.
(Credit: NZBCA Archive)

On his second tour of operations, Lamason was shot down just after D-Day during a raid on railway marshalling yards near Paris. After bailing out, he was sheltered by members of the French Resistance for seven weeks while attempting to reach Spain along the Comet Line. However, he was betrayed by a double agent within the Resistance, captured by the Gestapo, and taken to Fresnes prison.

Denied the prisoner-of-war status to which he was entitled, Lamason was treated as a criminal and spy. In August 1944, he found himself the senior officer in charge of 168 Allied airmen transported to the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany.

Despite repeated attempts to have the men transferred to a POW camp, his requests were refused. At great personal risk, Lamason managed to smuggle word of their captivity to the Luftwaffe. Just seven days before their scheduled execution, 156 of the 168 airmen were moved to Stalag Luft III.

Most of these “Lost Airmen of Buchenwald” later credited their survival to Lamason’s leadership, determination, and his refusal to give up hope. Yet, for decades after the war, many endured hardships and injustice as official denials cast doubt on their story.

Lamason himself was a reluctant hero. Like so many of his generation, he rarely spoke of his wartime experiences. Few New Zealanders ever knew of his epic, internationally significant story of courage and leadership. While he received medals for operational bravery with RAF Bomber Command, his extraordinary leadership in Buchenwald was never formally recognised.

The Phil Lamason Heritage Centre Trust (Inc) intends to rectify this omission with the creation of a striking new memorial in Dannevirke, the town where Lamason settled after the war. The Trust has engaged renowned former New Zealand Defence Force artist Matt Gauldie to design a memorial that will be both worthy of Lamason’s courage and appropriate to the epic significance of his WWII story.

The planned Lamason Memorial.
(Credit: Phil Lamason Heritage Centre Trust)

The memorial design is rich with symbolism. 168 stars represent the Allied airmen imprisoned at Buchenwald, while a distinctive traditional New Zealand Māori Te Poutama pattern conveys the upward striving of humankind. From the wreckage of a crashed Lancaster bomber and the foreboding symbols of the infamous Buchenwald camp, Lamason’s defiant words — “I Would Not Step Back” — rise powerfully in triumph.

Surrounding the central sculpture, plinths and display boards will share the story in full: recounting Lamason’s courage and leadership, naming all 168 Allied airmen, and explaining their extraordinary resilience. These displays will also include acknowledgement of all sponsors and donors whose support has made the project possible.

Donations

The trust is raising $400,000 to install the memorial in the Dannevirke Domain by mid-year 2026.

Donations can be made directly to the Phil Lamason Heritage Centre Trust (Inc) Account: 06-0613-0113032-00 (The Phil Lamason Heritage Centre Trust Inc, ANZ, Dannevirke), through the link provided on the Trust’s website: www.phillamason.com or by email to [email protected]

The Phil Lamason Heritage Centre Trust (Inc) is a registered charity with the NZ Charities Commission, number CC52057. Donations of (NZ)$5.00 and over are eligible for tax credits.