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| RNZAF No. 17 Squadron |
Pilot F/O Stanley Broadbent, 417011 (KIA, BR) Hawke's Bay, New Zealand Crashed May 7, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number 29643. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40N-5-CU Warhawk serial number 42-105881. 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 NZ3188. On October 4, 1943 reassembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot (1 AD) at Hobsonville Airfield. Assigned to No. 17 Squadron coded "B". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On May 7, 1944 took off piloted by F/O Stanley Broadbent on a patrol mission over Bougainville. This P-40 was observed to roll over and crash into a hillside while flying at tree-top level during a strafing run near the Oamai River on Bougainville. Pilot Broadbent was killed in the crash. Recovery of Remains Afterwards, an Australian Army patrol found his crash site and remains and buried him beside a river. Locals objected to the whiteman being buried on their land, so his grave was exhumed and his remains transported to the nearest Allied outpost for burial. Later, transported to Port Moresby for permenant burial. Memorials Broadbent was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at Bomana War Cemetery at C8. A. 8. Wreckage The crash site of this Kittyhawk remains in situ. During the Bougainville Crisis (1988-1998) the .50 caliber machine guns were removed from the crash site. During July 1999, the crash site was rediscovered by Peace Monitoring Group (PMG) including Major Ian D. Martyn who visited the crash site and learned the machine guns were removed and used as fixed weapons by the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA). On the rear fuselage was the serial number "NZ3188" confirming the crash site was P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3188. Relatives Peggy (wife) Hilton Broadbent (father, died 1938) Florence Watson Broadbent (mother, died 1972) References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40N-5-CU Warhawk 42-105881 "105881 (MSN 29643) to New Zealand as NZ3188. Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BoC at Hobsonville on 4 October 1943. Coded "B". To No.17 Squadron. Crashed during a strafing run on the Oamai River on 7 May 1944. The aircraft rolled over and dived into the ground while flying at tree top height." ADF Serials - Kittyhawk NZ3188 CWGC - Stanley Broadbent FindAGrave - Flying Officer Stanley Broadbent (photos, grave photo) AirCrew Remembered - P-40N Warhawk NZ3188 F/O Broadbent (photos) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated July 1, 2024 |
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