Bert Wipiti
| Bert Sam Wipiti | |
|---|---|
| Born |
16 January 1922 New Plymouth, New Zealand |
| Died | 3 October 1943 (aged 21) |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service/branch | Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Years of service | 1941–1943 |
| Rank | Warrant Officer |
| Unit |
No. 243 Squadron RAF No. 485 Squadron RNZAF |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Medal |
Bert Sam Wipiti, DFM (16 January 1922 – 3 October 1943) was a New Zealand fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War.
Biography
A Māori and born in New Plymouth, he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in January 1941.
Initially he was with No. 243 Squadron RAF at Kallang Airport, Singapore, flying the outclassed Brewster Buffalo fighter. He claimed 3½ kills for the period to March 1942. He was killed over France while flying a Spitfire with No. 485 Squadron RNZAF, escorting a bombing raid on a French power station.
References
- For your tomorrow (Volume 2) by Errol W. Martyn (Volapone Press Christchurch c1998) ISBN 0-473-06311-5
- "Life's too Short to Cry" by Tim Vigors (Grub Street 2006) ISBN 1904943616 Digital Edition ISBN 9781908117830
External links
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Wikipedia.
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