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Antoine GAZDA, Engineer WW2

Antoine GAZDA, Engineer WW2

Posted: 15 Apr 2001 8:55AM GMT
Edited: 27 Aug 2001 8:38PM GMT
Is there anyone out there related to Antoine GAZDA, and perhaps have a photograph of him. I am writing my late father’s Royal Naval Career into my family history and would dearly love to have a photograph and some details of all the persons that he served with at HMS Birnbeck, Somerset, and the Department of Miscellaneous Weapon Development (DMWD) during the Second World War. I have done much research on this subject and would welcome hearing from anyone who can perhaps give that small extra personal touch to events that occurred between 1940 and 1943.
hE WAS HEAD OF THE ENGINEERING ORGANISATION AT PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, USA and part of the trials and research for the Admiralty and DMWD, during World War 2
Thank you, Janet Capon-Brown.

Re: Antoine GAZDA, Engineer WW2

Eric Ethier (View posts)
Posted: 29 Jul 2002 4:21AM GMT
Classification: Query
Are you referring to the same Antoine Gazda who was a salesman for Swiss Oerlikon, and who developed the Oerlikon gun in the US during World War II? The Gazda I'm interested in was Austrian--real name, Antoine Gazda DeSuchan--and set up The American Oerlikon Gazda Corporation in Providence. However, the references you make to Royal Navy service don't seem to fit with this man.
Eric Ethier

Re: Antoine GAZDA, Engineer WW2

Bob Mc Culloch (View posts)
Posted: 8 Oct 2002 7:41PM GMT
Classification: Query
They're one and the same:

Lord Louis Mountbatten was the driving force behind the adoption of the Oerlikon by both the Royal Navy and the US Navy during WW2.

In England, the Royal Navy's Inspectorate of Anti Aircraft Weapons (later the Directorate of Miscellaneous Weapons and Devices) was the group charged with the Oerlikon's evaluation.

In the US, Mountbatten ended up delivering the "Sales Pitch" since Gazda was stricken the night before by Laryngitis. Capt. Blandy, USN, only required an hour's examination and trial to approve the weapon for use by the US (as required under US Lend-Lease laws for them to be made in the States).

Subsequently, the US company was formed to build the weapons.

With the entry of the US into WW2, the company prospered.

Re: Antoine GAZDA, Engineer WW2

Laszlo Siegmund (View posts)
Posted: 4 Oct 2004 12:17AM GMT
Classification: Query
I knew his wife well, she was a good family friend. Lived in Wakefield, R.I. and my father was her physician until her death. I still have a piece of furniture I bought from her.
Why are you interested in Mr. Gazda?

Re: Antoine GAZDA, Engineer WW2

Eric Ethier (View posts)
Posted: 4 Oct 2004 12:24AM GMT
Classification: Query
Mr. Siegmund-
I have been researching the Gazdas on and off for a few years, and was excited to see your response.

Perhaps we could chat some time. Do you still live in Wakefield?

My e-mail address is ericethier@msn.com. Let me know if you'd like to chat, and perhaps we can meet for that purpose.

Thanks for the response.
EE

Re: Antoine GAZDA, Engineer WW2

Posted: 1 Jan 2008 9:52AM GMT
Classification: Query
My grandfather, Frank F. Crook, was a close personal friend and business partner of J. Howard McGrath, who was instrumental in getting Mr. Gazda into this country. They had adjacent summer homes that abutted land where Mr. Gazda did some of his testing in Narragansett RI.

Please let me know if you require any other information.

Thank you,
Frank Crook Long

Re: Antoine GAZDA, Engineer WW2

Posted: 24 Oct 2009 1:33AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Gazda
Mr. Siegmund, I found this post by doing an internet search on Antoine Gazda. We will be inducting him into the RI Aviation Hall of Fame next month, and would love to talk to you about his family. We have been unable to locate any descendants to whom we might present the award.

Frank Lennon
401-831-8696

Re: Antoine GAZDA, Engineer WW2

Posted: 24 Oct 2009 3:08AM GMT
Classification: Query
Mr. Lennon-

I'm sure you don't remember me, but I contacted you nine years ago when I was an editor at Civil War Times Illustrated magazine. I later did some light research at the National Archives on the various Saratoga vessels. Since I never heard back from you after submitting theat information, I presume it was of little use to you.

In any case, I'm now a contributing editor for America in WWII magazine, which will soon publish an article I wrote about Mr. Gazda. As you noted in this chain, I reached out to Mr. Siegmund a couple of times in the past, hoping to chat with him about his mother's memories of the famed inventor. But other than asking why I was interested in Gazda, he did not want to talk. Perhaps you will have better luck.

Gazda reportedly had a son from his first marriage named Hans Otto Gazda (DeSuchan was Gazda's real last name) who escaped a Nazi concentration camp and later worked for the Austrian government. I have not looked into his life beyond that. As for Gazda himself, I have interviewed several people who knew him--including three of his engineers. If I can be of any assistance in this regard, please let me know.

Incidentally, I'd be interested in attending the Aviation Hall of Fame induction ceremony you mentioned. I'm not a member of the group, but know at least two others who are.

Eric Ethier
Narragansett, RI

Re: Antoine GAZDA, Engineer WW2

Posted: 26 Oct 2009 2:22AM GMT
Classification: Query
Eric, I do remember you--and I saved your email from 2000. Your address was GuyJacquesGuy@aol.

I'll call you tomorrow.

What's your current email address?

Frank Lennon

Re: Antoine GAZDA, Engineer WW2

Posted: 26 Oct 2009 2:31AM GMT
Classification: Query
Frank-

I'm at ericethier@msn.com. I left you a message earlier this evening, but my number is 783-4540.

I'll look forward to chatting with you.
ee
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