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Allied Air Forces Losses and Incidents Database.

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Data derived from many sources. Incorporates 125,000 entries from Aircrew Deaths 39-47 Database. Corrections/Additions welcomed via Helpdesk

NOTE ON DATES: IMPORTANT: For consistency, the Date is given as the date the mission TOOK OFF since the precise time of a loss is not always certain. Take Off date is unambigous and fixed in the official records, but obviously in those cases where the incident occurred before midnight UK time, then the Take Off Date will be the same as the Incident Date. Of course, most Bomber Command missions flew through midnight, therefore a Luftwaffe claim against a plane - or a locally generated crash report - may record the incident as occurring on the day following our Take Off Date. Bear this in mind when cross-referencing to our Luftwaffe Victories by Name/Date Database and other Luftwaffe sources. In some cases other sources may quote the date following our date, using locally generated reports as their source. To add to the potential for confusion, remember to take into account a Luftwaffe recorded date will be in local time, 1 hour ahead of UK time. When we discover a validated Incident Date we change our record if necessary.



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Thanks to Personnel of the Polish Air Force in Great Britain for supplementary data and images (marked with a chequerboard device) related to the Polish Air Force, and many images courtesy of our respected colleagues Wojtek Matusiak and Robert Gretzyngier. Other images from our own archives.
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Polish Air Force personnel have a supplementary database containing more information and many more entries. Check the following:
Personel Polskich Sił Powietrznych posiada dodatkową bazę danych zawierającą więcej informacji i wiele innych wpisów. Sprawdź następujące elementy:
Archiwum: PSP 1939 -1947 Database 17,000+ Polish Air Force Entries
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You searched for: “"RNZAF"”

#Name* SORT (↑)First NamesTitleRankRAF Equivalent RankService No.BornNationalityRoleAwardsAir ForceCommandUnitDateofIncident *See Note SORT (↑)AircraftTypeSerialCodeVictories (Fighters)BaseTimeMission                        Incident                        FateCommemoratedPhoto (Click to Expand)Referring Database                        Notes                        Links/Archive Reports
1 CullenJames Roy 'Jimmy'SLdrNew ZealandPilotRAF & RNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

183Sqn		18 [14+4] (all V-1s)Tempest Diver (V1) ace 44 Typhoon 1945
2 HoultonJohn ArthurFLtNZ/413543Born 23 September 1922New ZealandPilotDFCRNZAFFighter Command185Sqn

485Sqn 274Sqn RAF		7 [5+2]Died in Whangaparaoa, New Zealand, on 16 April 1996 aged 73Cremated. North Shore Memorial Park, North Shore, Auckland

Ace
3 KnightMervyn DavidLACNZ/414641Age 26New ZealandPilotRNZAFTraining Command4 Service Flying Training School (RCAF)
CraneI7703-RCAF Saskatoon, Canada1530TrainingSee archive report for detailsKilledSaskatoon Cemetery(Woodlawn). Block H. Lot 401. Grave 9.
Born on the 21st July 1915 at Winton. Educated at Greymouth College. Attendant at Sea View Hospital in Hokitika. Membe of West Coast United Aero Club. 'A' licence 25th November 1938. Enlisted at Levin as a pilot under training 17th August 1941. With No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School 29th September 1941.

Embarked for Canada on the 17th November 1941. No. 4 Service Flying Training School 05th December 1941. Son of David Knight (died 24th October 1958 age 68), and of Isabella May Knight (née Frisby - died 24th November 1918 age 33), of Lilburne, Southland, New Zealand. Epitaph: \The Lord Will Perfect That Which Concerneth Me Thy Mercy Lord Will Endure Forever'.

Archive report
4 KalkaWilliam Arthur 'Wacky'FONew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

9 (8 V-1s 1 balloon)Killed 1945-03-25Ace
5 SamesArthur Norman 'Artie'FLtNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

137Sqn		8 [7+1] (5 V-1s)Typhoon Diver (V1) ace
6 HydeReginald JackSLdrNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command66Sqn

261Sqn 197Sqn		5Ace
7 KilianJohn Rutherford ClarkSLdrNew ZealandPilotRCAF RAF & RNZAFFighter Command485Sqn (NZ)

222Sqn 122Sqn 504Sqn RAF 19Sqn		5Ace 2+1 (Shores)
8 MillerWilliam Lister 'Dusty'FLtNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

7 (all V-1 kills)Ace
9 LawlessFrank Brewster 'Bruce'FLtNew ZealandPilotRAF & RNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

64Sqn 183Sqn 198Sqn		10 (9 V-1s)Ace
10 FiskenGeoffrey BrysonFONew ZealandPilotRAF RAAF RNZAFFighter Command243Sqn

21 RAAFSqn 453 RAAFSqn 14 RNZAFSqn		11Ace Buffalo Singapore 1942 P-40 Solomons 1943 5+2sh
11 PannelGeoffroy Charles RussellSLdrNew ZealandPilotRAF & RNZAFFighter Command3Sqn

260Sqn 41Sqn 91Sqn 84(com) 33Sqn Northolt Sqn		5Ace Spitfire 1941-1942
12 PeartAlan McGregorFl/LtNZ/412729Born 25th July 1922New ZealandPilotDFC

RNZAFFighter Command81Sqn

7 [6+1]Survived war. Died 2018-09-05

courtesy Jenifer Lemaire

Ace 533
13 BrowneStanley FranklinSLdrNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command485Sqn (NZ)

93Sqn		6 [5+1]Ace Spitfire Tunisia Sicily Italy 1943 7
14 SpurdleRobert LawrenceSLdrNZ/245425th May 1917New ZealandPilotDFC


RAF / RNZAFFighter Command74Sqn

91Sqn 16Sqn RNZAF		10

DFC Citation LG 14th August 1942:

This officer is a keen and determined pilot He has destroyed 5, probably destroyed 4 and damaged several more enemy aircraft. His devotion to duty has set a praiseworthy example.

Archive report
15 O'ConnorBrian JohnFONew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

11 [10+1] (9+1 shV-1s)Ace 1+85 V-1s
16 BushCharles RoyWCdrNZ/2506Born 7 February 1918New ZealandPilotRAF & RNZAFFighter Command242Sqn

258Sqn 41Sqn RAF 15Sqn 21Sqn		5Accident Oxford NZ2137 in New ZealandDied 30 November 1948Wanganui
courtesy Jenifer Lemaire		Ace Hurricane Spitfire Battle of Britain Channel 1941 3+1 (Shores); 55
17 BremnerRobert DuffFONew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

11 [5+6] (5+4 sh V-1s)Ace
18 GibsonJohn Albert AxelSLdrNew ZealandPilotRAF RNZAFFighter Command501Sqn

15 RNZAFSqn 80Sqn		13 [12+1]Ace 8 145 11
19 BalfourRobert Hamish "Jimmy"FLtNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command18 RNZAF Sqn5 [4+1]

P-40 ace Solomons 1943-1944
20 KnightJack MuitFlight SergeantNZ/421003108th February 1924New ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command19Sqn
CorsairNZ5292925Missing - believed killedBourail Memorial. Panel 6
Born on the 08th February 1924 at Waiuka. Worked as a farmer on his fathers farm at Taurangaruru. Served in the home guard. Enlisyed at Seagrove on the 15th August 1942. With 3 Elementary Flying Training School 03rd April 1943. With 2 Flying Training School on 24th July 1943 aster a period of sick leave. Plot badge awarded on the 27th September 1943 and promoted to sergeant on the 20th November 1943. With 20 Operational Training Unit flying the P-40 on the 12th December 1943. Joined 19 squadron on the 02nd February 1944. With squadron to South Pacific on the 18th February 1944. Taking off in Corsair NZ5292 at 09.25 hrs and whilst staffing a boat and jetty his engine appeared to catch fire. Th pilot baled out at 10:30 hrs but his chute failed to deploy before he struck the water. Bourail Memorial. Panel 6. He was nearing the end of his second tour of operations.Some details here:

Archive report
21 GrayColin FalklandWCdrNew ZealandPilotRAF RNZAFFighter Command54Sqn

43Sqn 1Sqn 41Sqn 616Sqn 484Sqn 64Sqn 81Sqn 322Wg		29 [27+2}



Courtesy AWMM

Ace. Top Gun New Zealand 275
Born in Christchurch, Gray was accepted into the RAF in 1939 after two previous attempts failed on medical grounds. He flew with No. 54 Squadron during the Battles of France and Britain, and had shot down 14 aircraft and had a half share in another by September 1940. He later added another 13 kills while leading fighter squadrons and wings in the North African and Italian Campaigns, and finished the war with a confirmed 27½ kills. After the war he held a number of staff and command positions in the RAF before his eventual retirement in 1961. He returned to New Zealand to work for Unilever. He died in 1995 at the age of 80.
22 SchraderWarren Edward 'Smokey'WCdrNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command1435Flt
486Sqn (NZ)

486Sqn 616Sqn		13 [11+2]Ace Spitfire Malta Italy 1943
23 NewtonGuy Percival HaigWCdrNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command17Sqn

5Ace
24 ScottDesmond JamesGrp CaptAshburton, CanterburyNew ZealandPilotDSO

OBE

DFC & Bar

RAF & RNZAFFighter Command3Sqn

198Sqn

486Sqn (NZ)

Tangmere Wing
123 Wing		Hurricane, Typhoon8 [5+3]
Ace 5 (Foreman)

In January 1941, Scott and E.L 'Nipper' Joyce, another New Zealander from Scott's Wigram course, were posted to 3Sqn, which was then based at Skeabrae in the Orkney Islands, defending the nearby naval base at Scapa Flow. On 3 April 1941, 3Sqn was transferred to Martlesham Heath near Ipswich and became part of 11 Group. On 9 April, they were joined by 71Sqn, and both units settled down to a quiet period of convoy patrols. Both units were equipped with Hurricane Marks IIA and IIB, armed with eight and 12 .303-inch Browning machine guns, respectively, although these were being changed for the improved Mark IIC, which was armed with four 20 mm Hispano cannon. It became apparent that 3Sqn was expected to operate both by day and by night in a wide range of roles:

'The reason for our shift south soon became obvious. Instead of waiting for the Luftwaffe to visit Britain, the hierarchy of the RAF had decided to take the air war into the enemy's domain. Not only were we expected to carry out attacks on enemy shipping and targets in Belgium and France, we were also expected to do night fighter patrols over London – a dual role that was versatile but very exhausting. We could cover most operations from Martlesham Heath, but fighter nights over London had to be carried out from Debden on account of its runways and better night-flying facilities. Thus we could be attacking shipping in the morning (Roadsteads), escorting Blenheim or Stirling bombers over France in the afternoon (Circuses) and flying defensive patrols over London on the same night.' — Desmond J. Scott, 'One More Hour'

Scott made his first claims on 7 August 1941, a pair of Bf-109s damaged over Le Touquet. During night intruder operations over the Netherlands, Scott was to claim several kills during the first half of 1942, totalling 3.5 claimed destroyed, 3 probables and 3 damaged. He was promoted flight sergeant in May 1942 before being commissioned in July, becoming a flight commander in August. In September, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar, was promoted to squadron leader, and rested from operations, serving with HQ Fighter Command in a staff position.

In April 1943, he converted to the Hawker Typhoon and joined 198Sqn as a squadron leader, before moving to command 486Sqn (NZ), flying offensive fighter-bomber operations over Europe. In the next four months, he claimed another 2 destroyed and 2 shared destroyed. In August 1943, he received the Distinguished Service Order and became Wing Leader, RAF Tangmere. In November 1943, he was rested and posted as Commanding Officer, RAF Hawkinge. In March 1944, he commanded the newly formed 123 Wing, flying Typhoons, taking the unit to Europe during mid-1944, and becoming the youngest group captain in the RNZAF. He finished his tour in February 1945. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for rescuing a pilot from a burning crashed aircraft. Scott's claims for the war were 5 (and 3 shared) aircraft destroyed, 4 (and 2 shared) 'probables', 5 (and 1 shared) damaged
25 FitzgeraldT BWCdrNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command141Sqn

6Ace
26 SmithKeith AlexanderFONew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

10 (8 V-1s)Tempest Diver (V1) ace 1944 POW
27 SmithIrving Stanley 'Black'WCdrNew ZealandPilotRAF & RNZAFFighter Command151Sqn

RAF 488Sqn RNZAF		8Ace 10; 6 (Hess)
28 MackenzieJohn NobleSLdrNew ZealandPilotRAF & RNZAFFighter Command41Sqn RAF 488Sqn (NZ)

64Sqn 183Sqn 198Sqn 14Sqn 64Sqn RNZAF		10 [8+2]

Courtesy Oleg Marin

Ace 9
29 JulianIvonSLdrNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command232Sqn

242Sqn		5Ace
30 MasonHenry Maurice 'Morrie'WCdrNew ZealandPilotRNZAF & RAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

197Sqn 183Sqn 135Wg		7 [5+2] (all V-1s)Killed 1948-07-19Ace
31 HardyOwen LeslieFLtNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command72Sqn
485Sqn (NZ)

6 [3+3]Ace 7
32 NairnRonald Charles CecilW/CmdrNZ/42499AFC

DFM


RNZAF14Sqn (RNZAFVampireNZ5725TrainingMid-air collisionSafe - baled out
Born 15th November 1922 in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. Enlisted 11th January 1942. To the reserves 28th October 1845. Rejoined 03rd February 1947 until 01st September 1961. To the reserves until 11th January 1967Some details and photographs her:

Read Archive Report

33 Kirkcaldie John AllanFlight Lieutenant1310Born on the 04th June 1905New ZealandPilotRNZAF See his brother's archive report for further brief details Died of natural causes at Wellington Park Hospital on the 02nd December 1944 after being admitted in March 1944Wellington Cemetery (Karori). Grave 184. P.P Read Archive Report
34 FiskenGeoffrey BrysonPilotDFC

RNZAFFighter67Sqn RAF

See Archive Report for other Squadrons		Brewster Buffalo
Kittyhawk		11Read Archive Report

Telegraph Obituary
September 1943 DFC. Medically discharged from the RNZAF in December 1943. Highest scoring British Commonwealth ace in the Pacific theatre.
35 SheddanCornelius JamesSLdrNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command485Sqn (NZ)

15 [11+4] (7+1sh V-1s)Diver' ace 55+8V-1s
36 OrmanKenPONew ZealandPilotDFC & Bar

RNZAFBomber Command186Sqn
LancasterHK695Q-Queenie
38 missions. Survived war. Celebrated 100 th birthday August 2022Video and story
37 NichollsCharles William KelvinWCdrNew ZealandPilotRAF & RNZAFFighter Command173Sqn

7Sqn RNZAF FtrWg		5Ace 6 (Shores); 2
38 McCawJames Hugh 'Black Mac'SLdrNZ4143111919-12-31 Oamaru, New ZealandNew ZealandPilotDFC

RNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

20 [19+1] (all V-1s)Survived Died 1996-12-16

Ace. Grandfather of All Black legend Richie McCaw

He joined No. 486 Squadron in August 1942, flying Hurricanes, Typhoons and finally Tempests. He stayed with the unit until August 1944. He was promoted flight commander in January 1944, achieving considerable success against V-1s during the summer. He was awarded a DFC on 8 August 1944 and was then posted to Napiers as a test pilot, subsequently receiving promotion to Squadron Leader. After the war Jim returned to farming in the Hakataramea, married local girl Cathy Trotter, with whom he fathered a gliding dynasty. Jim and Cathy eventually retired to Wanaka where Jim was actively involved with the Fighter Pilots Museum. He died on 16 December 1996.





39 IngramMervin Robert 'Bruce'SLdrNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command611Sqn

601Sqn 243Sqn 152Sqn		14 [8+6]Killed 1944-07-11Ace 933
40 DohertyEric SteeleFlight LieutenantNZ/415290Born 29th July 1922New ZealandPilotDFM


DFC (US)


RNZAFFighter Command242Sqn

7

AR Archives


Spitfire V and IX ace Sicily Italy 1943-1944 725(Sqn ORB Shores)

Eric Doherty was a student at the time of his enlistment with the RNZAF in September 1941. Trained with 53 Operational Training Unit. Also served in No. 5 Pilots Advanced Flying Unit. Returned to 53 OTU as an instructor in October 1944.

Served with 242 Squadron in North Africa, Italy, Syria, Corsica Served- WW2- Fighter Command in North Africa, Middle East, Italy, England. Was credited with seven victories, others damaging many vehicles and ships destroyed or damaged. DFM DFC (US).

Left the RNZAF in October 1945. Joined the RNZAF Territorials in December 1948. Shortly after he retired from the Insurance business de was involved in a car accident whilst visiting in Australia and died on the 19th June 1980. Buried at Southport Lawn Cemetery, Queensland, Australia.

DFM Award dated 25th November 1944. 'For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights from Corsica under American Command June 19th,1944'.

Husband of Lois Eva Doherty Born 11th December 1925 - died 16th September 2020, age 94. Father of Phillip William Steel Doherty Born 19th June 1956 - died 14th July 1983, age 27
41 HartWilliam AlfredFONew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

8 [6+2] (all V-1 kills)Ace
42 HammondDerek HaroldWCdrNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command272Sqn
489Sqn (NZ)

8Ace 1+2 (Shores)
43 RoundReginald PearsonFlying OfficerNZ/41360Age 28New ZealanderPilotRNZAFFighter Command249Sqn
1942-08-25SpitfireEN976T-CTa Kali, Malta1130InterceptionSee archive report for further detailsMissing - believed killedMalta Memorial. Panel 5, Column 1

Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand

Born on the 06th December 1913 in Christchurch. A commercial traveller for L.H Green and Company in Christchurch. Enlisted at Levin on the 19th January 1941 as a pilot under training. With No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School on the 02nd March 1941. Embarked for Canada on the 29th April 1941 on the HMT Awatea. With No. 32 Service Flying Training School on the 27th May 1941. Pilot badge awarded on the 08th August 1941 and promoted to sergeant. Awarded commission on the 09th August 1941.

Embarked for England on the25th August 1941. With No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre 02nd September 1941. 59 Operational Training Unit 09th September 1941 flying the Hurricane. Joined 601 squadron on the 28th October 1941 flying the Hurricane and Aircobra. Then to 19 squadron on the 29th October 1941 flying the Spitfire where he carried out 75 operational sorties. Departed Portreath 09th June 1942 to Gibraltar. Embarked on HMS Eagle on the 13th July 1942. Flew a Spitfire of Eagle on the Mediterranean for Malta and joined 249 squadron where he carried out 25 operational sorties. In hospital after 6th operation returning to squadron on the 11th August. Credited with 1 enemy aircraft damaged. S total of 395 flying hours logged and 100 operational sorties.

Son of Elijah Round, and of Agnes Rachel Round (née Pearson), of Riccarton, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Read Archive Report

44 LucasF.J. 'Popeye'Wng CmdrTuaeka Mouth, South OtagoNew ZealandPilotDFC

RNZAF75Sqn RNZAF
45 HooperGarnet J Michael 'Gus'FONew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

11 [8+3] (7+3 sh V-1s)Ace
46 HallPeter Francis LockerFLtNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command488Sqn (NZ)

8Ace
47 ShortSydney JohnFSgtNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

6 (5 V-1s)Ace
48 BrowneAllen EdwardWCdrNew ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command488Sqn (NZ)

89Sqn RAF		6Ace Mosquito N France 1944 4 (Shores)
49 EaglesonOwen David 'Ginger'FONZ 421689New ZealandPilotRNZAFFighter Command486Sqn (NZ)

26 [22+4] (20+3 sh V-1s)Survived. Died October 30 1994.
Tempest Diver (V1) ace 1944 POW
50 GrantReginald Joseph CowanWCdrNew ZealandPilotRAF RNZAFFighter Command145Sqn
485Sqn (NZ)

122Wg		8 [7+1]Killed 1944-02-28Ace

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