Operation: Interception

Date: 25th August 1942 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 249 Squadron (Pugnis et calcibus - 'With fists and heels')

Type: Spitfire Vb

Serial: EN976

Code: T-C

Base: Ta Kali, Malta

Location: Mediterranean Sea

Pilot: F/O. Reginald Pearson Round NZ/41360 RNZAF Age 28. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 11:30 hrs with nine others to intercept another incoming raid.

They were vectored onto thirty-plus Bf109s heading for Grand Harbour. They were first spotted at 21.000ft before they turned into the sun and dived on the Spitfires.

A dogfight ensued in which 26 year old, Fl/Lt. Frank Everett Jones J/15327 RCAF flying Spitfire EP448 T-F saw a Bf109 attacking F/O. Round's Spitfire, the 109 fired one burst and Reginald Round's Spitfire dived into the sea 500 yards from the coast at St. Julian's Bay.

One of 126 squadron pilots witnessed the event from the ground:

'He was hit high up and slowly glided down in swooping circles, either throttling back or his engine had cut out. He crashed into the sea off St Julian's Bay where our mess was, and where we were swimming. I guess he was killed high up, poor chap'.

Burial details:

F/O. Reginald Pearson Round. Malta Memorial. Panel 5, Column 1. Born on the 06th December 1913 in Christchurch. A commercial traveller for L.H Green and Company in Christchurch. Enlisted at Levin on the 19th of January 1941 as a pilot under training. With No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School on the 02nd March 1941. Embarked for Canada on the 29th of April 1941 on the HMT Awatea. With No. 32 Service Flying Training School on the 27th May 1941. Pilot badge awarded on the 08th August 1941 and promoted to sergeant. Awarded commission on the 09th August 1941.

Embarked for England on the the 25th of August 1941. With No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre 02nd September 1941. 59 Operational Training Unit 09th September 1941 flying the Hurricane. Joined 601 squadron on the 28th October 1941 flying the Hurricane and Aircobra. Then to 19 squadron on the 29th October 1941 flying the Spitfire where he carried out 75 operational sorties. Departed Portreath 09th June 1942 to Gibraltar. Embarked on HMS Eagle on the 13th of July 1942. Flew a Spitfire of Eagle on the Mediterranean for Malta and joined 249 squadron where he carried out 25 operational sorties. In a hospital after 6th operation returning to squadron on the 11th of August. Credited with 1 enemy aircraft damaged. S total of 395 flying hours logged and 100 operational sorties.

Son of Elijah Round, and of Agnes Rachel Round (née Pearson), of Riccarton, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Above L-R: Rear; Porter, Gray, Fergusson, Partridge, Wilson, Haigh, McKenzie, McGill-Nutt.

3rd row; Meares, Regnault, Palliser, Kissel, Russell, Sullivan, Jenner, Creed, Fox, Saville, Grofski, Bugg, Worsley, Rickerby, Stone.

2nd row; Corby, Jacobson, Malone, Hooker, Clayton, Scollay, Ross, Taylor, Baines, Kibble, Haase, Robinson, Mitchell, Jameson.

Front; Watkins, Evans, Shrimpton, Turner, Picton, Round, Grevatt, Conibear, Pavish, Thurston, Sharland, Gawith, Randall. (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot, 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, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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