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| RNZAF No. 16 Squadron Former Assignments No. 21 Squadron No. 14 Squadron No. 22 Squadron  RNZAF 1944 |
Pilot Flying Officer Greville Randell, 427230 (KIA, BR) Wellington, NZ Crashed January 15, 1945 at 7:25pm Aircraft History Built by Vought. Constructors Number 5006. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1A Corsair bureau number 49759. Disassembled and loaded as cargo aboard USS Ochoco. On April 13, 1944 shipped across the Pacific as part of defense aid to New Zealand. Wartime History Assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Corsair serial number NZ5294. On May 19, 1944 reassembled by Unit 60 on Espiritu Santo. On June 1, 1944 assigned to No. 21 Squadron on Bougainville. On August 8, 1944 assigned to No. 14 Squadron. On September 9, 1944 assigned to No. 22 Squadron. On December 21, 1944 assigned to No. 16 Squadron. Mission History On January 15, 1945 took off from Nissan Airfield (Green Island) piloted by Flying Officer Greville Randell as one of thirty-six Corsairs from No. 14 Squadron, No. 16 Squadron and No. 24 Squadron on a fighter sweep over Rabaul. Returning, the formation encountered a bad weather front. This Corsair made a circuit of the area then crashed into the jungle on Nissan Island (Green Island) at 7:25pm. On impact, burst into flames killing the pilot. This aircraft was officially written off the books on Nissan Airfield (Green Island). A total of eight RNZAF Corsairs were lost and the day became known as "A Black Day for the Kiwis". Recovery of Remains After the crash, the remains of the pilot were recovered and buried on Nissan Island (Green Island). Postwar, exhumed and shipped to New Caledonia for permanent burial. Memorials Thomson was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery (Bourail War Cemetery) at grave 8. 9. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1A Corsair 49759 "49759 (MSN 5006) to New Zealand as 49759" ADF Serials - NZ Serials NZ5294 CWGC - Greville Randell FindAGrave - Greville Randell (photo) The Siege of Rabaul (1996) by Henry Sakaida Chapter 17 A Black Day for the Kiwis pages 69-72 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated July 6, 2024 |
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