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Operation: Rocket Projectile Practice
Date: 11th August 1945 (Saturday)
Unit: No. 182 Squadron (motto: 'Fearless I direct my flight'). 11 Group
Type: Typhoon IB
Serial: RB256
Code: XM-?
Base: RAF Warmwell, Dorset
Location: Chesil Beach Range, Dorset
Pilot: P/O. Albert Henry Lethaby DFC. NZ/421733 RNZAF Age 23. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
On attachment to No. 14 Armament Practice Camp (05-18th August) took off at about 10:10 hrs. and 25 minutes later fired several rockets from 1000 feet at a target on the Chesil Beach Range, Somerset.
When climbing away flicked over to starboard, rolled three times, during which flashes under the port wing were observed, blew up and fell into the sea. It was believed the rocket motor of one of the projectiles under the wing had burst, rupturing and igniting a fuel tank in the process. The Squadron, normally based in Denmark at B.160 (Kastrup) as part of the British Air Forces of Occupation, was at Warmwell for the course.
On the 28th March 1945 flying Typhoon IB SW418 was hit by anti aircraft fire but managed to crash land at B.78 Eindhoven, W/O. Lethaby was uninjured but the aircraft struck off charge.
Burial and personal details:
P/O. Albert Henry Lethaby. DFC. Bath Cemetery (Haycombe). Plot 39. Sec. H. Row D. Grave 251. Born 30th October 1921 at Dunedin. Worked as a butcher for Edward Bolwell of St Clair, t Dunedin prior to service. Enlisted at Rotorua on the 08th March 1942. No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School on the 13th June 1942 (first solo on the 27th June 1942) and then to No. 2 Service Flying Training School on the 05th September 1942.
Pilots badge awarded on the 30th November 1942 and promoted to sergeant on the 06th February 1943. Embarked for England on the 09th March 1943. Further training with various units before joining 59 Operational Training Unit on the 21st September 1943. Attached to Flight Leaders School 01-19th February 1944. Awarded his commission on the 22nd April 1945.
Joined 182 squadron on the 20th July 1944. Son of Thomas James Lethaby (died 30th November 1979, age 62) and Mary Lethaby (nee Reeves), Kensington, Otago, New Zealand. A total of 687 flying hours logged with 216 on the Typhoon. Completed 100 plus operational sorties. He was the last New Zealand airman to lose his life prior to VJ Day.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks 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 14-09-2021
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Last Modified: 14 September 2021, 14:20