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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.
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RNZAF
4 OTU (NZ) P-40M Warhawk NZ3112 Sgt. John Aperehama Tirikatene

Operation: Training

Date: 06th June 1944 (Tuesday 'D' day)

Unit: No. 4 Operational Training Unit (NZ)

Type: P-40M Warhawk

Serial: NZ3112

Code: -

Base: RNZAF Ardmore, New Zealand

Location: Papakura Military Camp

Pilot: Sgt. John Aperehama Tirikatene NZ/422634 RNZAF Age 21. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

NZ3112 was one of a formation passing over Papakura Military Camp at 700 feet when the leader signalled for a change to 'V' configuration.

Moved up too fast on the Warhawk NZ3072 ahead, passed underneath striking the latter's starboard wing and aileron with its tail, and dived steeply into the ground at 08:15 hrs. The other pilot Sgt. H.W Walker, uninjured, retained control of his badly damaged NZ.3072 e returned to base to make a safe landing. His aircraft required major repairs

Above L-R: Sgt. J.A Tirikatene and Sgt. H.W Walker (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Above as described (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Burial and other details:

Sgt. John Aperehama Tirikatene. Kaiapoi Maori Cemetery (Old North Road). Born on the 19th of April 1923 in Lyttelton, Christchurch. Educated at Rotorua Native School and Wesley Training College, Paerata. Worked as an electrical wireman for H.C. Urlwin Ltd., Christchurch. Enlisted at Harewood on the 11th May 1942. Awarded the flying badge with effect from 21st February 1944 and promoted to Sergeant on the 15th April 1944. Joined 4 OTU on the 30th of April 1944. A total of 288 flying hours logged with 51 on the Warhawk.

Son of Sir Eruera Tihema Tirikatene, (M.P. - died 11th January 1967, age 72) and Lady Ruti Matekino Tirikatene (née Horomona - died 20th April 1980, age 81), of North Road, Kaiapoi, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, New Zealand Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, National Archive.

Other pages that may interest you:

Pages regarding accident losses

Pages detailing RNZAF losses

Other sources as quoted below:

KTY 27-09-2023

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Acknowledgements
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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 Captain 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', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, 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.
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