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| RNZAF No. 18 Squadron |
Pilot Sgt Clifford W. D. 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 P-40N Kittyhawk serial number NZ3200. Reassembled at No. 1 Aircraft Depot at Hobsonville Airfield on November 24, 1943. Assigned to No. 18 Squadron coded "70". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On January 27, 1944 at 7:15am took off from Bougainville piloted by Sgt Clifford W. D. Knight 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 at 17,000' and the formation 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 of Kittyhawks and B-25 with several Zeros diving down from the front and releasing aerial phosphorous bombs. This Kittyhawk was shot down by enemy fighters and crashed into the sea off the Gazelle Peninsula. Pilot Knight did not bail out and was killed in air combat or on impact. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3183 pilot F/Lt Clive D. A. Highet (MIA). This Kittyhawk was officially written off 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 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 |
 P-40  MIA 1 Missing |
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