Operation: Training

Date: 25th March 1943 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 15 Squadron (RNZAF)

Type: P40E Kittyhawk

Serial: 41-25100/12

Code: -

Base: Nadi, Fiji

Location: South Pacific Ocean

Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Allan Crighton NZ/1124 RNZAF Age 32. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

While trying to evade a diving attack by a US Grumman F4F Wildcat, struck the tail of VB-11 SBD-3 Dauntless BuNo 06589, causing both to spin from 10,000 feet into the sea 20 miles off Nadi at 0945. No parachutes were observed and both aircraft sank on hitting the water. The two SBD-3 crew were lost.

The two crew of the Dauntless and that of the Kittyhawk pilot spun in from 10,000 ft 20 miles off Nadi on the Island of Fiji at 09:45 hrs - all three aircrew missing.

We are indented to Bryan Cox for photographs and information supplied by Errol Martyn.

Bryan has published three books:

'Too Young To Die'. Published by Hutchinson (1987) ISBN 13: 9780813802053

'Pacific Scrapbook 1943-1947'. Published by McGraw Hill, Sydney (1997) ISBN 13: 9780074705599

'Cats Have Only Nine Lives'. Published by Author Pub (2004)

Burial and other details:

Sq/Ldr. Allan Crighton. Bourail Memorial. Panel 3. Born at Dunedin on the 25th September 1910. Educated at the Otago Boys' High School, obtained his'A' flying licence at the Otago Aero Club in 1934. Commission as a Pilot Officer in the New Zealand Air Force as a Territorial Officer, In 1935. Promoted to F/O. on the 24th October 1936. Granted a Flying Instructors' Licence in 1937, and became an instructor to the Marlborough Aero Club. Mobilised on the 16th September 1939 and posted to Mangere for a flying instructors' course, with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Promoted toOfficer Commanding 15 Fighter squadron, and proceeded with the Squadron overseas to the Pacific Area on the 23rd October 1942. The Squadron served at Tonga until posted to Nandi on the 22nd March 1943.

Son of Hendry Hugh (died 04th November 1945, age 59) and Dorah Agnes Birch Crighton (married on the 22nd November 1911 - née Ferrier died 25th August 1983, age 93) husband of Christina Margaret Crighton (née Milne, later Whinrsy), of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.

LT. Herbert Bronson Shonk Jr; Honolulu Memorial, USA. Born on the 18th May 1916. Graduate of Wesleyan University in the Class of 1938. He then attended Harvard Law School before he began his Military Service. Carrier Group 11. Son of Herbert Bronson Shonk Sir (died 26th September 1930. age 48). and Sarah Gertrude Shonk (née Knight - died 21st November 1838, age 54 )Husband of Louise Kelly (née Whitmore later Nonnenmacher - died 31st March 1999, age 83) Dublin, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA

ACRm2 Francis Freeman Brown. Honolulu Memorial, USA. Born on the 15th August 1902. Son of Miles David Brown (died 08th July 1944, age 72) and Lydia Maria Brown (née Farley - died 03rd November 1956, age 85) Husband of Ina Grace Brown (née Dunn0 died 12th August 1988, age 84) San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA.

L-R: Rear; Pilot Officer Norman Alexander Suttie, Flying Officer Leonard Frederick Beresford Poore (died Above 15th April 1968, age 68), Pilot Officer R.B Potter, Pilot Officer Ernest Laurie Page (died 05th December 1982, age 74), Pilot Officer P.C Lewis.

Centre; Flying Officer Frederick John Adams (died 15th March 1974, age 62), Pilot Officer Arthur Cuthbert Baines (died 03rd September 1947, age 33), Flying Officer Maurice Beehan Furlong, Flying Officer W. Temple, Flying Officer P.B Roebuck, Pilot Officer M.H McKenzie.

Front; Flying Officer A.W Burbidge, Flight Lieutenant Jonas Willam Henry Lett, Squadron Leader Gordon Lomax Stedma diedn, Flying Officer M.H Clare, Flight Lieutenant Allan Crighton. (killed 23rd March 1943, age 32)

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 War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, Mr Bryan Cox ex 16 Squadron RNZAF ex 16 Squadron RNZAF, 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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