Operation: Convoy Patrol

Date: 01st November 1942 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 616 Squadron. 11 Group (motto: Nulla Rosa Sine Spina - 'No rose without a thorn')

Type: Spitfire VI

Serial: BR186

Code: YQ-C

Base: RAF Westhampnett, Sussex

Location: Nettlecombe, Isle of Wight

Pilot: Sgt. Philip Shaw Smith NZ/413900 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

The weather: Heavy rain and thunderstorms with ground mist and 500 yards visibility.

Took off at 14:15 hrs accompanied by Sgt. J.K. Rodger (1) on the third convoy patrol of the day. Within 15 minutes just as they were recalled due to the deteriorating weather both crashed into a hillside near Nettlecombe in near zero visibility.

Sgt. Smith was killed, but according to 616 operation book Sgt. Rodger went cleanly through a brick wall suffering an only concussion and other slight injuries.

(1) Sgt. Rodger went on to fly the new jet fighter the Meteor and claimed a V1 at 16:40 hrs. on the 04th August 1944 over Tenterden. On the 18th of April, 1945 destroyed a staff car at Utrecht. He survived the war.

Burial and personal details:

Sgt. Philip Shaw Smith. Tangmere Churchyard (St Andrew). Plot E. Row 3. Grave 500. Born on the 09th September 1920 in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England. Educated at Seddon Memorial Technical College. A foreman for Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board. Enlisted as a pilot under training at Levin on the 06th July 1941. With No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School on the 17th August 1941. With No. 2 Flying Training School 27th September 1941. Pilot badge awarded on the 08th November 1941 and promoted to sergeant on the 20th December 1941.

Embarked for England on the 20th of January 1942. With No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre on the 10th March 1942. Joined 61 Operational Training Unit on 12th May 1942 for Spitfire training. 116 squadron on the the14th July 1942. 616 squadron on the 19th September 1942 and carried out 3 operational sorties. A total of 337 flying hours were logged.

Son of Walter Stephen and Clara Jessie Smith (née Cox) of Auckland City, 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, Michael Dalzel for photograph of Sgt. Smith, other sources as quoted below:

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