Operation: Scramble

Date: 20th January 1942 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 67 Squadron (motto: 'No odds too great'). 221 Group

Type: Buffalo I (339E)

Serial: W8229

Code: RD-?

Base: Mingaladon Airfield

Location: Moulmein, Burma (Myanmar)

Pilot: P/O. Paul Middleton Brewer NZ/402565 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Landed at Mingaladon Airfield to refuel after a morning reconnaissance operation to Raheng in Thailand.

As the two were about to depart the airfield came under attack by Japanese strafing fighters. Rather than the aircraft being destroyed on the ground they both took off, P/O. Brewer was shot down by the superior aircraft of the Japanese. The other pilot, 22 year old Fl/Sgt. John Finn, flying W8240 returned to assist P/O. Brewer but suffered the same fate, both coming down in the Moulmein area.

The bodies of P/O. Paul Brewer and Sgt. John Finn were recovered and buried at the Moulmein Cemetery. However it proved impossible for the CWGC to maintain their graves which is why they are listed on the Taukkyan Memorial, along with 44 others.

P/O. Paul Middleton Brewer. Singapore Memorial. Column 421. Born on the 14th April 1919 at Wellington. Worked as an insurance clerk for the AMP Society in Wellington prior to service. Enlisted at Blenheim on the 22nd July 1940. Awarded his pilot badge after training at No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School and No. 2 Flying Training School on the 18th January 1941. Received his commission on the 01st March 1941. Embarked for Singapore on the 29th March 1941 and firstly attached to 67 squadron, then attached to 21 squadron RAAF for training for the Buffalo. (died 14th Jane 1928 age 43). Embarked with 67 squadron to Burma between 09th and 13th October 1941. Son of Richard Middleton Brewer , and of Ethel Irene Brewer (nee Oliver, later Rudd), of Levin, Wellington, New Zealand. Credited with 1 enemy aircraft destroyed.

Fl/Sgt. John Gilbert Finn. Singapore Memorial. Column 422. Born on the 06th November 1919 at Winton. Worked as a clerk for NZR AT Bluff prior to service. Enlisted in the RNZAF at Levin on the 01st December1940. Awarded his pilot badge after training at No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School and No. 1 Flying Training School on the 25th April 1941.Promoted to sergeant on the 24th May 1941. Embarked for Singapore on the 12th June 1941. Embarked with 67 squadron to Burma between 09th and 13th October 1941. Son of Tomas (died 28th December 1964, age 83) and Annie Steel Finn (nee Deacon - died 06th February 1946, age 64) and husband of Patricia May Finn (nee Cockroft later Whyte), of Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand.

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

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