No. 18 Squadron
Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)

Background
Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) No. 18 Squadron operated the P-40 Kittyhawk in the South Pacific (SoPAC) during World War II.

Wartime History
On November 16, 1943 twelve Kittyhawks strafe positions at Kieta and Tonolei Harbor on Bougainville then anti-aircraft positions on Ballale Island. Lost due to anti-aircraft fire is P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3166 pilot Flying Officer Lindsay D. Hutton (MIA).

On November 22, 1943 lost is P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3169 pilot F/O Peter S. Rishworth (MIA) ditched off Treasury Islands.

On January 27, 1944 the squadron flew bottom cover for B-25 Mitchells on a bombing mission against Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul. After the bombs were released, intercepted by Japanese flighters. Lost in air combat is P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3183 pilot Clive D. A. Highet (MIA) and P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3200 pilot Sgt Clifford W. D. Knight (MIA).

On February 5, 1944 the squadron flew an escort mission for TBFs and SBDs on a strike against Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul and were intercepted by Japanese fighters. Returning, lost is P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3120 pilot Flying Officer Ronald Bremner (MIA) and P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3126 pilot Sgt Bruce Nicholson (MIA).

On February 13, 1944 the squadron flew an escort mission for TBFs and SBDs on a strike against Vunakanau Airfield. Lost is P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3137 pilot F/O Harold H. Souter (MIA).

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