Operation: Training

Date: 05th March 1945 (Monday)

Unit: Day Fighter Leaders School (Central Fighter Establishment - 11 Group)

Type: Spitfire IX

Serial: LZ924

Code: Not known

Base: RAF Tangmere, West Sussex

Location: Mill Farm, Selsey, West Sussex

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Lindsay Stuart Black DFC. NZ/40961 RNZAF Age 30. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Strafing and dive-bombing practice over Selsey ranges - taking off from RAF Tangmere as the leader of 3 when the section leader aborted the practice because his radio became unserviceable.

He began the section's first dive from 8000 ft at an angle of 59 degrees but failed to recover and crashed on the beach at Mill Farm. The subsequent board of enquiry concluded that he had pulled out too low and too fast and had probably lost consciousness. He should have recovered at 4000 but witnesses placed the height at between 1800 - 3000 ft.

Burial details:

Fl/Lt. Lindsay Stuart Black DFC. Brookwood Military Cemetery. Grave 2.AA.5. Born on the 12th April 1914 in Wellington, the son of Charles Stuart and Florence Maud Black (née Stevenson), of Weraroa Road, Levin, Wellington, New Zealand. A law clerk prior to service enlisting in the RNZAF on 09th April 1940 - leaving for England on the 13th December 1941.

Served with 485 Squadron shooting down a Do217 on the 03rd August 1942. The to 501 Squadron completing some 60 operational sorties before returning to 485 Squadron in October 1943 when he served on a further 93 operations. Over 1500 flying hours logged with over 700 of these on Spitfires.

DFC awarded in late 1944, citation reads:

"This officer has participated in a large number of sorties, including attacks on barges, locomotives and road transport. He has displayed commendable skill and courage and throughout has set a fine example of devotion to duty".

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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