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| RNZAF No. 18 Squadron |
Pilot Sgt Bruce Nicholson, 4210948 (MIA / KIA) MIA February 5, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number 28451. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40N-1-CU Warhawk serial number 42-104689. Disassembled and shipped overseas to New Zealand as part of defense aid. Wartime History Assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as P-40N Kittyhawk serial number NZ3126. Reassembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot at Hobsonville Airfield and BOC on July 8, 1943. Assigned to No. 18 Squadron coded "C". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On February 5, 1944 took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville piloted by Sgt Bruce Nicholson on an escort mission for 48 SBDs and 18 TBFs attacking Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul. After the bombing raid, the formation was intercepted by enemy fighters that followed them southwards. When this P-40 failed to return it was declared Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3120. During the mission, two aircraft were observed to crash into Saint Georges Channel one in the channel and one near Cape Saint George, but it was not determined if these were P-40s. This aircraft was officially written off on February 9, 1944. Memorials Nicholson was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at the Bourail War Cemetery on the Bourail Memorial on panel 8. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40N-1-CU Warhawk 42-104689 "104689 to New Zealand as NZ3126. Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BoC at Hobsonville on 8 July 1943. Coded "C". To No.18 Squadron. Crashed into St. Georges Channel on 5 February 1944. The aircraft was shot down by an enemy fighter during an escort sortie." ADF Serials - P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3126 CWGC - Bruce Nicholson Air-To-Air (2003) page 290 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated July 24, 2023 |
 P-40  MIA 1 Missing |
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