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Operation: Ramrod S.35
Date: 06th September 1943 (Monday)
Unit: No. 486 (NZ) Squadron (motto: Hiwa hau Maka - 'Beware of the Wild Wind'). 11 Group
Type: Typhoon IB
Serial: EK119
Code: SA-H
Base: RAF Tangmere, Sussex
Location: English Channel off Berneval
Pilot: P/O. Roderick Herbert Fitzgibbon NZ/411874 RNZAF Age 22. Missing - believed killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off at 07:30hrs with the squadron to escort fighter bombers on railways at Serqueux in France.
On return and after crossing the French coast they spotted an E-boat off Berneval. The formation leader W/Cdr. Desmond James Scott (1) NZ/40779 RNZAF decided to attack and P/O. Fitzgibbon as his no. 2 followed him.
During the diving attack part of the tail of EK119 broke off and he dived into the channel about a mile from the coast. His body was never knowingly recovered.
(1) Desmond James Scott DFC and bar. OBE. MiD. Later to become a Group Captain was the youngest to obtain that rank in the Second World War in the RNZAF. Born on the 11th September 1918 Ashburton, Canterbury. Passed away on the 08th October 1997 at Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand, aged 79.
Burial details:
P/O. Roderick Herbert Fitzgibbon. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 198. Born on the 20th October 1920 at Culverden. Worked as a Engine Mechanic for Mocketts Motors of Culverden prior to service. Enlisted at Levin on the 23rd March 1941. Awarded pilots badge on the 26th July 1941 and promoted to sergeant on the 08th September 1941. Joined 486 squadron from 55 Operational Unit ((Spitfires) on the on the 10th March 1942. Received his commission on the 15th April 1942. Son of Martin and Rose Fitzgibbon (nee Wood), of Culverden, Canterbury, New Zealand. A total of 615 flying hours logged. On his 206th operational sortie 4 of these flying a Hurricane. Credited with 1 enemy aircraft destroyed with a further 2 shared destroyed.
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, AWMM, other sources as quoted below:
KTY 16-04-2021
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Last Modified: 16 April 2021, 16:26