# Bert Wipiti

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Bert Sam Wipiti Born (1922-01-16)16 January 1922 New Plymouth, New Zealand Died 3 October 1943(1943-10-03) (aged 21) Allegiance New Zealand Branch Royal New Zealand Air Force Service years 1941–1943 † Rank Warrant Officer Unit No. 243 Squadron RAF No. 485 Squadron RNZAF Conflicts Second World War Awards Distinguished Flying Medal

**Bert Sam Wipiti**, [DFM](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Medal) (16 January 1922 – 3 October 1943) was a New Zealand fighter pilot and [flying ace](/source/Flying_ace) of the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War). Born in [New Plymouth](/source/New_Plymouth), he enlisted in the [Royal New Zealand Air Force](/source/Royal_New_Zealand_Air_Force) (RNZAF) in 1941 and when he was posted to [No. 243 Squadron](/source/No._243_Squadron_RAF) in [Singapore](/source/Singapore), he was the first [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people) airman to leave New Zealand for active duty. Following the Japanese invasion of [British Malaya](/source/British_Malaya), he destroyed five Japanese aircraft before being evacuated to [Java](/source/Java) in February 1942. He later flew with the RNZAF's [No. 485 Squadron](/source/No._485_Squadron_RNZAF) in Europe and was killed on operations while escorting bombers on a raid over France.

## Early life

Bert Sam Wipiti, also known as Herbert Samuel Wipiti, was born on 16 January 1922 in [New Plymouth](/source/New_Plymouth), in the [North Island](/source/North_Island) of New Zealand. The son of Motu Tamihana Wipiti and his wife Ngamata [née](/source/Birth_name#Maiden_and_married_names) Lowrie, Wipiti was of [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people) descent and was educated at [Mangorei School](/source/Mangorei) and [New Plymouth Boys' High School](/source/New_Plymouth_Boys'_High_School).[1][2][3]

## Second World War

A flight of Brewster Buffaloes from No. 243 Squadron over Malaya

A refrigeration serviceman at the time of his enlistment, Wipiti joined the [Royal New Zealand Air Force](/source/Royal_New_Zealand_Air_Force) (RNZAF) in January 1941.[4] He completed flight training at [Ohakea](/source/RNZAF_Base_Ohakea), gained his [flying badge](/source/Aircrew_brevet) in late May, and then proceeded to [Malaya](/source/British_Malaya) as a [sergeant pilot](/source/Sergeant_pilot) in July.[1][5] He was the first Māori airman to go overseas for service.[6]

### Singapore

On his arrival in Singapore in August, Wipiti was posted to the Royal Air Force's [No. 243 Squadron](/source/No._243_Squadron_RAF), which was based at [Kallang Airport](/source/Kallang_Airport) and operated the outclassed [Brewster Buffalo](/source/Brewster_Buffalo) fighter.[1][7] Once the Japanese [invaded British Malaya](/source/Japanese_invasion_of_Malaya) on 8 December 1941, he was part of a small detachment from No. 243 Squadron to briefly operate with an Australian squadron, [No. 21 Squadron](/source/No._21_Squadron_RAAF), flying from [Ipoh](/source/Ipoh),[8] and returning to Singapore on 14 December.[9]

On 10 January 1942, Wipiti was credited with helping shoot down a [Mitsubishi Ki-46](/source/Mitsubishi_Ki-46) [reconnaissance aircraft](/source/Reconnaissance_aircraft), over Singapore. This was reportedly the first Japanese aircraft shot down in the [Battle of Singapore](/source/Battle_of_Singapore).[10][11] On 21 January, while on a patrol over the [Batu Pahat](/source/Batu_Pahat_District) area, he shot down a [Mitsubishi A6M Zero](/source/Mitsubishi_A6M_Zero) fighter[12] and then, the following day, destroyed two [Mitsubishi G3M](/source/Mitsubishi_G3M) bombers that were part of a raid on No. 243 Squadron's airfield.[13] A few days later, flying escort to several [Vickers Vildebeest](/source/Vickers_Vildebeest) bombers that were attacking a Japanese transport convoy, he shot down another Ki-46.[14][15] By the end of January, Wipiti's squadron had been disbanded and he was one of a few sergeants that were attached to [No. 453 Squadron](/source/No._453_Squadron_RAAF), an Australian squadron based at [Seletar](/source/Seletar), which also received the remaining serviceable Buffalo aircraft.[16]

Shortly before the fall of Singapore, Wipiti was evacuated to Java, surviving the sinking of his original transport ship.[17] In late March 1942 he was awarded the [Distinguished Flying Medal](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Medal) (DFM) in recognition of his service in Malaya and Singapore, having shot down five Japanese aircraft.[1][18] The citation for his DFM, published in the *[London Gazette](/source/London_Gazette)*, read:

Sergeant Wipiti has carried out a large number of operational flights and he has displayed outstanding courage and determination whilst engaging large formations of enemy aircraft. He has set a fine example to all.

— *London Gazette*, No. 35502, 27 March 1942[19]

Wipiti was sent to India, where he was posted to [No. 67 Squadron](/source/No._67_Squadron_RAF), flying [Hawker Hurricane](/source/Hawker_Hurricane) fighters. While stationed in India, he encountered racism from the British and after several months, was posted to England in August 1943.[20]

### Europe

The Air Forces Memorial, near [Egham](/source/Egham) in England, where Wipiti is commemorated

Wipiti joined [No. 485 Squadron](/source/No._485_Squadron_RNZAF), a RNZAF unit,[20] which at the time of his arrival, was stationed at [Biggin Hill](/source/Biggin_Hill), in the English county of [Kent](/source/Kent), and operating [Supermarine Spitfire](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire) fighters on escort missions, accompanying bombers carrying out daylight raids into Continental Europe.[21] Wipiti shared in the destruction of a [Focke-Wulf Fw 190](/source/Focke-Wulf_Fw_190) fighter on 16 September 1943, while covering a raid by [Martin Marauder](/source/Martin_Marauder) bombers on an airfield in France. He was killed on 3 October 1943 over France while escorting a bombing raid on a French power station. At the time of his death, he held the rank of [warrant officer](/source/Warrant_officer) and had flown 26 sorties with No. 485 Squadron.[1][22] Initially reported as missing[23] he was reported as being presumed dead the following year.[24]

## Legacy

Wipiti has no known grave and is commemorated on the [Commonwealth War Graves Commission](/source/Commonwealth_War_Graves_Commission)'s [Air Forces Memorial](/source/Air_Forces_Memorial) near [Egham](/source/Egham) in [Surrey](/source/Surrey), England.[25] After the war, his parents were presented with their son's DFM by the [Governor-General of New Zealand](/source/Governor-General_of_New_Zealand), [Sir Cyril Newall](/source/Cyril_Newall%2C_1st_Baron_Newall), in a ceremony at [Government House](/source/Government_House%2C_Wellington) in Wellington.[26] On 26 April 2023, a portrait of Wipiti was unveiled at his former secondary school, New Plymouth Boys’ High School, by his family. The painting, executed by Matt Gauldie, a former war artist of the [New Zealand Army](/source/New_Zealand_Army), was donated to the school by the New Zealand Remembrance Army.[27]

## External Links

- [Whakaata Maori Short Documentary](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL3Vevyl6O0)

- [Airforce Museum of New Zealand](https://airforcemuseum.co.nz/blog/exceptional-friends-bert-wipiti-and-charlie-kronk/) blog post on Wipiti and his friend Kronk

- [Crashed Japanese plane in Singapore](https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/F01162) - Archival Footage featuring Wipiti. Australian War Memorial Museum

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMartyn2008514_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMartyn2008514_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMartyn2008514_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMartyn2008514_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMartyn2008514_1-4) [Martyn 2008](#CITEREFMartyn2008), p. 514.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["New Zealand Airmen"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19420326.2.74.1). *Evening Post*. Vol. CXXXIII, no. 72. 26 March 1942. Retrieved 8 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Taranaki Daily News"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19351221.2.67). *Taranaki Daily News*. 21 December 1935. p. 7. Retrieved 24 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEThompson195321_4-0)** [Thompson 1953](#CITEREFThompson1953), p. 21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Taranakian_5-0)** ["Bert Sam Wipiti"](https://issuu.com/newplymouthboyshighschool/docs/05082015113714_part2/11). *The Taranakian*. **34** (1): 113. December 1945. Retrieved 8 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Bert Wipiti, Serviceman"](https://collection.pukeariki.com/objects/87984). *Puke Ariki*. New Plymouth District Council. Retrieved 8 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull200314–15_7-0)** [Cull 2003](#CITEREFCull2003), pp. 14–15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull200359_8-0)** [Cull 2003](#CITEREFCull2003), p. 59.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull200367_9-0)** [Cull 2003](#CITEREFCull2003), p. 67.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull2003112–113_10-0)** [Cull 2003](#CITEREFCull2003), pp. 112–113.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERoss195586_11-0)** [Ross 1955](#CITEREFRoss1955), p. 86.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull2003156_12-0)** [Cull 2003](#CITEREFCull2003), p. 156.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull2003159–161_13-0)** [Cull 2003](#CITEREFCull2003), pp. 159–161.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull2003169–170_14-0)** [Cull 2003](#CITEREFCull2003), pp. 169–170.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull2003228_15-0)** [Cull 2003](#CITEREFCull2003), p. 228.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull2003175_16-0)** [Cull 2003](#CITEREFCull2003), p. 175.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull2003198_17-0)** [Cull 2003](#CITEREFCull2003), p. 198.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull2003216_18-0)** [Cull 2003](#CITEREFCull2003), p. 216.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["No. 35502"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35502/supplement/1383). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (Supplement). 27 March 1942. p. 1383.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHanson2001522_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHanson2001522_20-1) [Hanson 2001](#CITEREFHanson2001), p. 522.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWells198493–101_21-0)** [Wells 1984](#CITEREFWells1984), pp. 93–101.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWells1984112_22-0)** [Wells 1984](#CITEREFWells1984), p. 112.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Roll of Honour"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19431113.2.83). *Evening Post*. Vol. CXXXVI, no. 117. 13 November 1943. Retrieved 8 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Air Force Casualties"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19440905.2.73). *Evening Post*. Vol. CXXXVIII, no. 57. 5 September 1944. Retrieved 8 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Casualty – Wipiti, Bert Sam"](https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1531922/). *Commonwealth War Graves Commission*. Retrieved 27 August 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Awards Presented – Deceased Service Personnel"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19450913.2.84). *Evening Post*. Vol. CXL, no. 64. 13 September 1945. Retrieved 8 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Harvey, Helen (27 April 2023). ["Portrait of World War II Ace and 'Perfect Gentleman' Bert Wipiti Unveiled at New Plymouth Boys' High School"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/131807886/portrait-of-world-war-ii-ace-and-perfect-gentleman-bert-wipiti-unveiled-at-new-plymouth-boys-high-school). *Taranaki Daily News*. Retrieved 7 January 2024.

## References

- Cull, Brian (2003). *Buffaloes Over Singapore: RAF, RAAF, RNZAF and Dutch Brewster Fighters in Action over Malaya and the East Indies 1941–42*. London: Grub Street. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-904010-32-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-904010-32-6).

- Hanson, C. M. (2001). *By Such Deeds: Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force 1923–1999*. Christchurch: Volplane Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-473-07301-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-473-07301-3).

- Martyn, Errol (2008). *For Your Tomorrow – A Record of New Zealanders Who Have Died While Serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services Since 1915 – Volume Three: Biographies & Appendices*. Christchurch: Volplane Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-473-12829-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-473-12829-6).

- Ross, J. M. S. (1955). [*Royal New Zealand Air Force*](http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2AirF.html). [Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45](/source/Official_History_of_New_Zealand_in_the_Second_World_War_1939%E2%80%9345). Wellington: Historical Publications Branch. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [912824475](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/912824475).

- Thompson, H. L. (1953). [*New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force*](http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-1RAF.html). [Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45](/source/Official_History_of_New_Zealand_in_the_Second_World_War_1939%E2%80%9345). Vol. I. Wellington: War History Branch. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [270919916](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/270919916).

- Wells, Kevin W. (1984). *An Illustrated History of the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron*. Auckland: Hutchinson Group. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-09-159360-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-09-159360-3).

Authority control databases: People Commonwealth War Graves Commission

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bert Wipiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Wipiti) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Wipiti?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.