Pilot Sgt Clifford William Douglas Knight, 425910 (MIA / KIA) Christchurch, NZ
MIA January 27, 1944
Aircraft History
Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number 30157. Delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40N-15-CU Warhawk serial number 42-106395. 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 NZ3200. Reassembled at No. 1 Aircraft Depot at Hobsonville Airfield on November 24, 1943.
Assigned to 18 Squadron coded "70". No known nickname or nose art.
Mission History
On January 27, 1944 took off from Bougainville piloted by Sgt Clifford William Douglas Knight on an escort mission over Rabaul. Over the target, this P-40 was shot down by enemy fighters and crashed into the sea off the Gazelle Peninsula. Pilot Knight was killed in the crash. This aircraft was officially written off on February 2, 1944.
Memorials
Knight was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at Bourail War Cemetery on the Bourail Memorial, panel 7.
References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40N-15-CU Warhawk 42-106395
"106395 (MSN 30157) to New Zealand as NZ3200. Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BoC at Hobsonville on 24 November 1943. Coded "70". 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 NZ3200
CWGC - Clifford William Douglas Knight
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Last Updated
January 12, 2019
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