Operation: Ranger
Date: 24th July 1944 (Monday)
Unit No: 23 Squadron (motto: Semper Aggressus - 'Always on the attack'), 100 Group
Type: Mosquito FB.VI
Serial: HR236
Code: YP:?
Base: RAF Little Snoring, Norfolk
Location: Schleswig-Holstein area
Pilot: Sqn Ldr. Paul Wattling Rabone DFC, 2171 RNZAF Age 26. KiA (1)
Nav: Fg Off. Frederick Charles Haver Johns DFC, 143416 RAFVR Age 22. KiA
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off on a Ranger to Peenemunde north western Germany at 09:12 hrs.
Failed to return. Understood to have been hit by light Flak to the rear of the fuselage. Both crew attempted to bale out but it is thought they were too low as the parachute of Fg Off. Johns was found barely open.
The body of Fg Off. Johns was recovered from the sea shortly afterwards. The body of the pilot however, was washed up on Heligoland on the 2nd October 1944 and buried by the Germans on the island.
After the war his body was exhumed by Americans and buried erroneously at the US Military Cemetery at Ardennes. After the Air Ministry became involved he was then exhumed for the second time and buried at Hotton War Cemetery
(1) Paul Wattling Rabone was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England and accompanied his parents who were both New Zealanders to the Dominion at an early age. He received his secondary education at the New Plymouth Boys' High School and the Palmerston North Technical College. He played football for his College 1st XV and afterwards Senior Football for the Hastings Club, also taking part in tennis and cricket.
He served in the 7th Field Battery of the Territorial Army from September 1935 to June, 1936. In April 1938 he was selected for the Civil Reserve of Pilots, obtaining his Pilots "A" Licence as a pupil of the Middle Districts Aero Club. He competed further training with the Auckland Aero Club, proceeding late in July 1938 to Wigram for his service training. He was awarded the Flying Badge on October 13th. On acceptance for a short service commission in the RAF he embarked by the "Tainui" for the UK early in February 1939.
Rabone arrived in England on the 15th March and was appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off. (Service No. 36179). He was further promoted to Fg Off. on the 3rd September 1940, to Flt Lt. on the 27th December 1940 and was granted the acting rank of Sqn Ldr. on the 7th July 1941.
Meanwhile Sqn Ldr. Rabone had been posted in April 1939 to 88 Sqn flying the Fairy Battle and early in September was attached to the Advanced Air Striking Force (AASF) in France. In August 1940 he transferred to 145 Sqn, flying the Hurricane then to 83 Sqn flying the Hampden early in May 1941.
He assumed command of No. 1451 Flight of this Sqn in October, proceeding a month later to Kenley for training as and Air Controller. In December he was posted to No. 1528 Beam Approach Flight as Flight Commander. On the 14th May 1942 he went to RAF Kirton Lindsey as the Squadron Commander of 96 Sqn, flying the Beaufighter. Other postings included to 488 Sqn, RAF Church Fenton flying the Beaufighter on night Intruder missions in in August 1942. To Beaufighters on 51 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at the end of April 1943; and then to 23 Sqn, at RAF Luqa, Malta flying the Mosquito. He was then appointed flying instructor at No. 60 OTU at RAF High Ercall in December 1943 .
As a Flt Lt. he relinquished his commission on appointment to the RNZAF with the Service No. of 2171 on the 16th March 1944. His appointment to Sqn Ldr. was confirmed on the 1st July 1944.
Sqn Ldr. Rabone was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) which was promulgated in the London Gazette on the 25th January 1944 for the period of time he was still in the RAF:
Citation reads:
"Acting Squadron Leader Rabone, prior to joining his present Squadron had completed many bomber and fighter including night fighter) operations and had destroyed three enemy aircraft. Since then he has taken part in many missions over Sicily and Italy and has achieved much success in night intruder sorties. He has also made most determined and damaging attacks on enemy road and rail targets, and on one occasion destroyed a coastal supply vessel. During his present tour of duty, Squadron Leader Rabone has destroyed a further three enemy aircraft and damaged one other."
Note: His brother, Fg Off. Geoffrey Osbourne Rabone 413214 RNZAF was shot down on an operation to Secqueville. Five of the 106 Squadron crew escaped injury but two lost their lives on Lancaster III LM641 ZN:D. (of the surviving 5, Sgt. K. Buck 1867845 was taken PoW 70446 at Bankan, near Kreulberg, Upper Silesia. 4 others evaded capture).
Geoffrey Osbourne Rabone born at Gore on the 6th November 1921 became the New Zealand cricket captain 1953/54 to 1954/55. He died in Auckland on the 19th January 2006. The other evading crew members; Fg Off. A.A. Dilworth J21747 RCAF, Fg Off. Stefan Agust Bjarnason RCAF, Flt Sgt. J.W. MacNicol R185934 RCAF. Sgt. Frederick George Ralph 910510 RAF and Fg Off. Jack Taylor 421295 RNZAF were KiA.
Burial details:
Sqn Ldr. Paul Wattling Rabone DFC. Hotton War Cemetery. Grave XI.C.8. Born on the 2nd March 1918 Salisbury, Wiltshire. Son of Wg Cdr. Clarence Noble Rabone and Frances May Rabone (née Williams), of Walberton, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England and husband of Pamela Barbara Rabone (née Buchanan - later Quin), of Kairanga, Wellington, New Zealand.
Fg Off. Frederick Charles Haver Johns DFC. Hanover War Cemetery. Grave 10.E.9. Born on the 17th June 1922 in Woolwich London. Son of George W and Elisabeth L. (née Morley) Johns of Woolwich, London, England.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded whilst with 515 Squadron, with effect from 26th July 1944.
Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3” Collection, also to Gerrie Zwananberg MBE and his research, Publication 'Eyes of the night' authors Joe Bamford and Ron Collier ISBN-13 : 978-1844152964, AWMM, Weekly News of New Zealand. (Mar 2021) .Thanks to Graeme Couttie for the correction for Navigator's surname (Apr 2023). Next of Kin details for Fg Off. Johns researched and added by Aircrew Remembered (Apr 2023). Update to narrative by Aircrew Remembered (Oct 2026)
Other sources listed below:
