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Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
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FAA Crest

Operation: Training

Date: 21st August 1945 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 768 Squadron Fleet Air Arm

Type: Seafire L.III

Serial: NN310

Code: -

Base: HMS Wagtail Ayr, Scotland *

Location: Firth of Clyde, Scotland

Pilot: Sub/Lt. Clutha Campbell Libeau RNZNVR Age 22. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking part in deck landings on HMS Ravager.

During final approach on a steep turn spun into the Firth of Clyde. Neither the body of the pilot or the aircraft were recovered.

* CWGC shows the base as HNS Dipper, but that was in Dorset.

Burial details:

Sub/Lt. Clutha Campbell Libeau. New Zealand Naval Memorial, Devonport, Auckland. Panel 9. Born on the 21st July 1923 at Eltham. A grocery assistant prior to service. Son of Charles Lucien and Gladys Ellen Libeau (née Mann) of Manaia, Taranaki.

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, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

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Acknowledgements
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Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and Captain François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
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