RNZAF Pacific
 

Did the RNZAF have any night victories in the Pacific?

Re: RNZAF Pacific
 

This "seems" to be a pretty good summary of RNZAF operations in the Pacific:

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/20...-world-war-ii/

No mention that I could see of them ever operating any night fighter squadrons nor having any night victories.

Re: RNZAF Pacific
 

Hello,

Can't find any reference to RNZAF night claims in what is considered to be the best (only?) book on RNZAF air-to-air combat claims i.e.,

AIR-TO-AIR The Story behind the air-to-air combat claims of the RNZAF.
Rudge,Chris
Lyttelton:Adventure Air,2003.

Col.

Re: RNZAF Pacific
 

Colin

How many claims are we talking about when it comes to the RNzAF?
And no I don't have the book.....

Cheers
Stig

Re: RNZAF Pacific
 

I have a copy of the Air to Air and have to say it is one of the best and most detailed books ever written on air to air combat! There is a table that breaks down all claims with a final analysis of 106 destroyed, 17 probables and 30 damaged by New Zealanders in the Pacific. Of that number for destroyed 100 by the Pacific based P-40 units during 1943/44, the remainder credited to NZ pilots in Singapore and crews of Venturas. After mid 1944 New Zealanders, much like the Australian forces, were confined to the SWPA, so no claims on Corsairs. I don’t recall mention of night victories.

regards, Drew

Re: RNZAF Pacific
 

Thanks Drew

Appreciated!!

Cheers
Stig

PS: Is it possible to get these claims broken down per unit?

Thanks again
Stig

Re: RNZAF Pacific
 

No problems Stig.

I don’t think Air to Air includes a specific breakdown by squadron. I will check through the complete listing sometime.

For now, Aces High provides following for destroyed victories
14 Sqn RNZAF – 24
15 Sqn RNZAF – 23
16 Sqn RNZAF – 16
17 Sqn RNZAF – 19
18 Sqn RNZAF – 18
19 Sqn RNZAF – 0
20 Sqn RNZAF - 0

regards, Drew

Re: RNZAF Pacific
 

Thanks again Drew

Pity, I was hoping for a "better" list in the book, such as the missing 6 claims and the distribution of the probables and damaged.

I should have said so in the first place since I have Aces High.
Sorry about that....:o

Cheers
Stig

Re: RNZAF Pacific
 

Thanks guys

Re: RNZAF Pacific
 

I recall it being written that there were 99 claims made by P=40s and that the Corsairs tried hard to get the elusive 100th. Presumably the higher figure comes from more recent research?

Re: RNZAF Pacific
 

Actually Chris Rudge found claims for 100 destroyed enemy aircraft even though one is missing in the official list.

4 pilots from 14 Sqn tried to intercept a Japanese aircraft that attacked Segond Channel, Espiritu Santo in May 1943 but radar contact was lost before they could find it. I cannot remember that any RNZAF fighter unit operated at night in the Solomons.

Cheers
Peter