Operation: Operation 'Fuller'

Date: 12th February 1942 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 118 Squadron (motto: Occido redeoque - 'I kill and return'). 10 Group

Type: Spitfire VB

Serial: AD239 (Presentation aircraft 'Hoeloesoengai')

Code: NK-?

Base: RAF Ibsley, Hampshire

Location: English Channel

Pilot: P/O. Ivan Stuart Stone NZ/41501 RNZAF Age 25. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Operation 'Fuller': On the morning of 12th February, the German flotilla having left Brest harbour was sighted close to the French coast and had almost passed through the Channel Straits.

Protected by destroyers, E-Boats, minesweepers and extensive air cover of over 250 Luftwaffe aircraft, the battleships provided formidable targets. The German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, supported by the cruiser Prinz Eugen, broke out of Brest harbour and attempt to force a passage through the Channel Straits.

Taking off from RAF West Malling at 14:35 hrs with the rest of the squadron to provide fighter cover for the many attacks during this operation.

AD239 and one other engaged enemy fighters off Ostend after they became separated from the squadron in poor weather. One made it back safely but P/O.Stone was not seen again.

Burial details:

P/O. Ivan Stuart Stone. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 117. Born on the 30th May 1916 at Wellington. Worked as a clerk for Booth and Company in Wellington prior to service. Enlisted at Levin on the 19th January 1941. Trained at 3 Elementary Flying Training school joining on the 02nd March 1941. Further training with No. 2 Flying Training school joining on the 12th April 1941. Pilots badge awarded on the 25th May 1941 and commissioned on the 05th July 1941. Embarked for Englan on the 22nd July 1941. Trained with 53 Operational Unit joining on the 6th September 1941. Joined 118 squadron on the 04th November 1941. Son of Stanley Mercer Stone (died 24th August 1965, age 80) and Martha Annie Stone (nee Nutt - died 12th November 1974) of Papaparauma Beach, Wellington.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and 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, other sources as quoted below:

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 - 2026 Last Modified: 15 August 2021, 11:45