Pilot F/O Harold Havelock Souter, 41551 (MIA / KIA)
MIA February 13, 1944
Aircraft History
Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number 28462. Delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40N-1-CU Warhawk serial number 42-104700. Disassembled and shipped overseas to New Zealand as part of defense aid.
Wartime History
Delivered to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Kittyhawk NZ3137. Reassembled by No. 1 Aircraft Depot (1 AD) at Hobsonville Airfield on July 8, 1943.
Assigned to 18 Squadron with code N. No known nickname or nose art.
Mission History
On February 13, 1944 took off from Bougainville piloted by F/O Harold H. Souter on an escort mission over New Britain. Over the target, shot down by enemy fighters and crashed into the sea near the mouth of the Warangoi River on New Britain at 11:00am. Pilot Souter was killed in the crash.
This aircraft was officially written off on March 9, 1944.
Memorials
F/O Souter is currently commemorated on the Bourail Memorial at Burail War Cemetery on panel 4.
References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40N-1-CU Warhawk 42-104700
"104700 to New Zealand as NZ3137. Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BoC at Hobsonville on 8 July 1943. Coded "N". To No.18 Squadron. Dived into the sea near the Warangoi River mouth on 13 February 1944. The aircraft was on an escort duty when it was shot down by an enemy fighter."
ADF Serials - Kittyhawk NZ3137
CWGC - Harold Havelock Souter
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for his assistance with this profile
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Last Updated
January 12, 2019
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