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| RNZAF No. 18 Squadron |
Pilot F/Lt Clive Dudley Alfred Highet, RNZAF 401273 (MIA / KIA) MIA January 27, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructor Number 29636. Assigned U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40N-5-CU Warhawk serial number 42-105874. Disassembled and shipped overseas to New Zealand as part of defense aid. Wartime History Delivered to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as P-40N Kittyhawk serial number NZ3183. On October 4, 1943 reassembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot (1 AD) at Hobsonville Airfield. Assigned to No. 18 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. On January 20, 1944 at 11:55am took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville piloted by F/O A. G. S. George as close escort mission for B-25s on a low level strike against Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Mission History On January 27, 1944 at 7:15am took off from Bougainville piloted by F/Lt Clive D. A. Highet as one of twelve Kittyhawks flying bottom cover for twenty-four B-25 Mitchells on a bombing mission against Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul. This plane was leading the second section. The escort also included twelve F6F Hellcats flying medium cover and twelve F4Us flying top cover. The fighters rendezvoused with the bombers at 11,000' over Taiof Island and the Kittyhawks flew 500' below with the first section ahead, second section with the bombers and third section behind. At 9:00am as the formation approached the target, approximately 30 Zeros were spotted airborne at 17,000' and released their drop tanks. As the B-25s made their bomb runs, the Kittyhawks provided weaving cover while accurate and intense anti-aircraft fire engaged them. After the bombs were dropped, Japanese fighters dove to intercept the middle section section of Kittyhawks and the B-25 with several Zeros diving down from the front and releasing aerial phosphorous bombs. This aircraft was shot down by enemy fighter and crashed into the sea off the Gazelle Peninsula. Pilot Highet was killed in the crash. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). This aircraft was officially written off on February 2, 1944. Memorials Highet was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at the Bourail War Cemetery on the Bourail Memorial, panel 3. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40N-5-CU Warhawk "42-105874 (MSN 29636) to New Zealand as NZ3183. Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BoC at Hobsonville on 4 October 1943. To No.18 Squadron. Crashed into sea near Cape Gazelle on 27 January 1944. The aircraft was shot down by an enemy fighter during an escort sortie." ADF Serials - Kittyhawk NZ3183 CWGC - Clive Dudley Alfred Highet Air to Air The Story Behind the air-to-air combat claims of the RNZAF (2003) pages 267, 278-283 (January 27, 1944), 325-326 (Hightet biography), 400 (index Highet), 404 (index NZ3183) 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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