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Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
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RNZAF
21st February 1944 2 Operational Training Unit Harvard IIA NZ1021 Sgt. Carless

Operation: Training

Date: 21st February 1944 (Monday)

Unit: No. 2 Operational Training Unit

Type: Harvard IIA

Serial: NZ1021

Code: -

Base: RNZAF Ohakea

Location: Onepuhu Bridge, Marton, New Zealand

Pilot: Sgt. Alfred Austin Carless NZ/431060 RNZAF Age 19. Killed

Pilot: Sgt. Albert Leonard Brittain NZ/4216027 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

During an instrument flying practice the aircraft entered a high speed dive whilst carrying out aerobatics.

On pulling out over stressed the port wing which disintegrated. Both of the young New Zealand pilots were killed.

Burial details:

Sgt. Alfred Austin Carless. Waikumete Cemetery (Cremated). Born on the11th September 1924 at Auckland. Enlisted at Omaka as an aircraft hand on the 22nd January 1943 but remustered as aircrew on the 28th April 1943. Then as a pilot under training on the 22nd July 1943.Pilots badge awarded on the 01st November 1943 and promoted to sergeant on the 22nd January 1943. Son of Norman Powley Carless and Amy Love Carless (née Love), of Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 156 flying hours logged with 95 of these on the Harvard.

Sgt. Albert Leonard Brittain. Waikumete Cemetery. Prot. Soldiers Area E, Row 3A, Grave 35. Born on the 07th June 1921 at Auckland. Worked on his fathers farm at Glen Eden prior to service. Enlisted on the 06th December 1942. Awarded pilots badge and promoted to sergeant on the 01st November 1943. Son of Frederick William Brittain and of Sarah Brittain (née Foley), of Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 260 flying hours logged.

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:

KTY 25-04-2021

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Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and Captain François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
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