Operation: Anti E-Boat patrol

Date: 17th June 1944 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 489 Squadron (motto: Whakatanagata kia kaha - 'Acquit yourselves like men, be strong'). 16 Group. Coastal Command

Type: Beaufighter TF.X

Serial: NE434

Code: P6-Q

Base: RAF Langham, Norfolk

Location: Off Ostend, Belgium

Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Frederick Kingsmill Moynihan DFC. NZ/412005 RNZAF Age 23. Missing - believed killed

Nav: F/O. Cyrus Ralph Pollard 151624 RAFVR Age 21. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 0326 as leader of 12 Beaufighters on an ant E-Boat patrol between Gravelines, France and Hook, Netherlands.

Because of bad light and low cloud many of the aircraft became separated. With two others NE434 attacked four E or R-Boats and, joined by a fourth Beaufighter, later came across further ships which had already been attacked by other Squadron aircraft.

While attacking these NE434's port engine was hit by flak and set on fire. As it ditched in the sea the Beaufighter burst into flames, leaving only oil burning on the surface as the others circled overhead.

Burial details:

Sq/Ldr. Frederick Kingsmill Moynihan DFC. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 262. Born on the 02nd June 1921 at Nelson. Worked as a clerk for the Public Service Commissioner Office at Wellington. Enlisted in the RNZAF at Levin on the 22nd March 1941.Awarded his pilots badge and a commission on the 18th October 1941 Embarked for England on the 17th November 1941. Served with 5 Operational Training Unit and 1 TTU. Joined 489 squadron on the 15th January 1943. Son of William John and Kathleen Margery Moynihan (nee Bolton), of Nelson, Wellington, New Zealand. A total of 728 flying hours logged. Completed 22 operational sorties on the Hampden with a further 17 on the Beaufighter.

F/O. Cyrus Ralph Pollard. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 208. Son of Cyrus Harry and Daisy Pollard, of Onehouse, Suffolk, England. His name also appears on a Roll of Honour in Harleston Church, Suffolk.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Michael Ralph, 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:

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