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Operation: Scramble
Date: 09th April 1943 (Friday)
Unit: No. 67 Squadron (motto: 'No odds too great'). 166 Wing. 224 Group
Type: Hurricane IIC
Serial: HV976
Code: RD-?
Base: Chittagong Airbase, India
Location: Sandwip Channel, Bay of Bengal
Pilot: F/O. William Christiansen NZ/40964 RNZAF Age 22. Missing - believed killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off at 11:30 hrs on a scramble to intercept Japanese aircraft.
Whilst climbing the squadron were bounced by enemy aircraft an HV976 was seen to dive into the sea.
It is thought that F/O. Christiansen was probably shot down by Major Kuroe Yasuhiko. The New Zealand pilots body was never knowingly recovered.
The squadron commander was also shot down and killed over Chittagong. The body of 25 year old, Sq/Ldr. Bachmann 76568 RAFVR was recovered from the crash site of his Hurricane BN476.
Major Kuroe Yasuhiko - born on the 17th February 1918 ai Ijuin, Japan. A Japanese ace with 30 claims who survived the war, only to lose his life on a sea fishing trip on the .05th December 1965, age 47. His rank was then Major General.
Burial and personal details:
F/O. William Christiansen. Singapore Memorial. Column 431. Born on the 16th October 1920 at Frankton Junction. Worked as a clerk for Blackwell Motors prior to service. Enlisted in the RNZAF at Levinon the 09th April 1940 after the short service commission had lapsed. Trained at Ground Training School, Levin , No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School and No. 1 Service Flying Training School. Awarded his pilots badge on the 17th September 1940 and promoted to sergeant on the 26th October 1940. Embarked for Singapore on the 12th November 1940. Attached to 36 squadron flying the Wildebeest before joining 21 squadron RAAF for conversion training between the 24-28th March 1941.
Joined 67 squadron on the 29th March 1941 flying the Buffalo on 42 operational sorties and then flying the Hurricane on 10 operational sorties. Awarded his commission on the 08th October 1941. Embarked with 67 squadron to Burma between 09th and 13th October 1941. Attached to 15 Operation Training Unit as an instructor on the 04th August 1941. Then to 2 squadron as an instructor 06th December 1942 - 18th June 1943. Rejoined 67 squadron on the 25th March 1943. Son of Neil and Hilda Christiansen (nee Home), of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. A total of 660 flying hours logged and on his 53 operational sortie, and on his second tour. Credited with 1 enemy aircraft destroyed and 1 probable.
Sq/Ldr. Jack Henry Bachmann. Chittagong War Cemetery. Grave 7. B. 6. Called up on 1st September 1939, and joined 98 Squadron, flying the Fairey Battle. Joined 67 squadron as commanding officer in June 1942. A Battle of Britain pilot. Son of Henry and Elizabeth Bachmann, of Norbury, Surrey, England. Grave inscription: 'The Spirit Of Redhill" Thank You, Chum, For All You Gave Us. Father And Mother.
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, Armed Conflicts, other sources as quoted below:
KTY 05-08-2021
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Last Modified: 05 August 2021, 13:26