Operation: Air test

Date: 28th May 1942 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 67 Squadron (motto: ''No odds too grea't) 224 Group

Type: Hurricane IIb

Serial: BG876

Code: RD-?

Base: RAF Aliporeb India

Location: Close to airfield

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. 'Charlie' Charles Thomas Kronk NZ/41514 RNZAF Age 23. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

In January 1942 he shared a Mitsubishi Ki-46 with Sgt. Wipiti with his best friend Sgt. Wipiti from his training days at No. 3 EFTS in Ohakea. The first aircraft to be shot down over Singapore in WW2.

Sadly, W/O. Herbert Samuel Wipiti was listed as missing - believed killed on the 03rd October 1943 during a 'Ramrod' operation over France. Further details here.

Above: Sgt. Kronk (3rd from left) being congratulated after he and Sgt. Wipiti (5th from left), They pose with the fin of that Mitsubishi Ki46 Dinah from the 81st Independent Chutai (courtesy Weekly News, New Zealand)

With having a 305 total flying hours, 226 solo with 35 on Hurricane and 60 operational sorties Fl/Sgt. Kronkwas an experienced pilot. No cause was established.

Burial details:

Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kohuratahi. Plot H. Grave 28. Also remembered on family grave in Park Island Cemetery, Hawk's Bay, New Zealand.

Fl/Sgt. Charles Thomas Kronk. Additional Info:

Born on the 18th July 1918 in Koharatahi. Napier, New Zealand. Worked as a clerk for Jas J Niven & Co Limited, later Niven Engineering prior to 1 year service in the army. Enlisted at Levin on the 18 January 1941. 2 Elementary Flying Training Schoo and carried out first solo flight on the 12th March 1941l after just 11 days. With 3 Flying Training School on the 12th April 1941. Pilot wings awarded on the 24th May 1941 and promoted to sergeant on the 05th July 1941. Embarked for Singapore on the 22nd July 1941. Joined 243 squadron flying the Buffalo on the 15th August 1941, where he carried out 48 operational sorties.

Served briefly with 21 and 453 squadron's and slightly injured during air combat on the the 31st January 1942 and evacuated at Drigh Road 25 Mar 42,to New Zealand in February. Evacuated to India late February 1942. Test and Despatch Fiight (Hurricane) at Drigh Road 25th March 1342. Joined 5 squadron flying the Mohawk. Uninjured in crash on approach on the 3rd April; 1942. 67 squadron on the 11th April 1942, credited with 1 e/a destroyed, 1 shared destroyed, 4 probables and 1 shared probable.

Son of Walter James Kronk (died 10th June 1940, age 53) and of Mary Lavinia Kronk (née Pindr - died 03rd September 1957, age 67), of 36 Morris Street, Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.

Above: L-R: Rear; Lewis Taylor Younie NZ41390, Anthony Ashley Cooper NZ41467, Eric Lindsay Gray 41322, Heathcote Huia Butler Beale NZ41465, SH Lincon , John Alexander Warner 41383, John Noel Vincent NZ41380, E.L Medivin, G. Medivin, G.E Dale..

Centre; Benson Usher NZ41637, I.G Moors, William Michael Sellar NZ41365, N.A Creswell, L.J.H Lincon, Ronald Percy McNabb NZ404393, T.S Tanner, J.M Cranstone, Thomas Steele Tanner NZ41503, Rae Jessep Taaffe NZ41502, D.S.tG Brown.

Front; Herbert Samuel Wipiti NZ41388, G.E Ellingham, Charles Thomas Kronk NZ41514, R.P.W Brooker, John McPherson NZ41486, Victor Dominic Benefield NZ41302, F.L Whillans, Stratford Frederick Judd NZ4151, W.R Crawther, Norman James Sutherland NZ41631, G.D Chambers, Noel Rupert King NZ41337. (courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, New Zealand Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, National Archive.

New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand Article Article

Other sources as quoted below:

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