AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
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.
Check our Research databases: Database List
.
We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.
19 Squadron Crest
04.05.1945 No. 19 Squadron Mustang IVA KH674 P/O. Natta

Operation: Escort

Date: 04th May 1945 (Friday)

Unit: No. 19 Squadron - 13 Group (motto - Possunt quia posse videntur - 'They can because they think they can')

Type: Mustang IVA

Serial: KH674

Code: QV-?

Base: RAF Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Location: Kattegat, Denmark

Pilot: P/O. Basil Matthew Cameron Natta NZ/422308 RNZAF Age 22. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Leaving RAF Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Scotland with five others from the squadron at 13:15 hrs to escort a Mosquito force to attack Fyn Island and other targets in the Kattegat. Mustangs from 234 Squadron accompanying them.

After attacking an E Boat off the coast of Denmark KH674 collided with Mustang KH818 QV-F flown by 32 year old, Fl/Lt. Joseph Davidson at around 1541 hrs - both pilots listed as missing. Another pilot from 234 squadron was hit by flak during the return trip. P/O. Peter J.W. Bell flying Mustang KH860 AZ-G, despite being wounded made a forced landing and evaded capture with the help from the great Danish people.

The surrender of all German forces in Denmark and Holland was announced on the BBC evening news on the radio at 20:35 on 04 May 1945. Shortly afterwards on the 08th May 1945, all German forces on land, sea and air offered their surrender unconditionally. However - the war continued in the Far East, with thousands more to sadly lose their lives.

Burial details:

P/O. Basil Matthew Cameron Natta. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 285. The Son of James Anthony and Hilda Natta and the husband of Isabella Don Natta, of Mangakino, Auckland, New Zealand.

Fl/Lt. Joseph Davidson. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 265. The son of Alexander Livingstone Davidson and Margaret Davidson, and the husband of Elizabeth Wood Davidson, of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

KTY 11.01.2019

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
Acknowledgements
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 MWO 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', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, 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.
Click any image to enlarge it

 Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to buy research books from Amazon •Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024 Last Modified: 06 April 2021, 15:31

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor