22 Facts About Warren Schrader

Warren Schrader was credited with the destruction of eleven enemy aircraft.

Warren Schrader flew Supermarine Spitfires with No 165 Squadron on operations on the Channel Front, including supporting the Dieppe Raid.

Warren Schrader later flew with No 1435 Squadron, initially based in Malta and then Sicily.

Warren Schrader retired in 1976 and died in 2009 at the age of 87.

Warren Edward Schrader was born on 27 March 1921 at Wellington, in New Zealand.

In March 1941, Warren Schrader volunteered for the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Warren Schrader was posted to No 165 Squadron, which operated Supermarine Spitfires on offensive operations to occupied France.

Warren Schrader was involved in the Dieppe Raid on 19 August 1942, patrolling the airspace above the landing beaches at Dieppe.

In 1943, Warren Schrader was transferred to the Mediterranean theatre of operations, based at Malta where he flew with No 1435 Squadron.

Warren Schrader's attacks have always been pressed home with much courage and complete disregard for personal safety.

In December, 1943, Pilot Officer Warren Schrader led his flight in operations against the enemy in Albania.

In May 1944, Warren Schrader was taken off flight operations and transferred to Egypt, where he performed instructing duties at No 71 Operational Training Unit at the RAF station at Ismaila.

Warren Schrader shot down another Fw 190 the following day.

Warren Schrader later claimed his appointment was politically motivated; as one of the most successful Allied fighter pilots of the previous three weeks, it was hoped that he would be able to claim the first enemy aircraft shot down by a British fighter-jet.

Warren Schrader flew a total of six sorties in the Meteor before the conflict in Germany ended and he was unable to add to his score.

Warren Schrader has proved himself to be a skilful, resolute and courageous fighter and has inflicted much damage on enemy targets on the ground.

Warren Schrader remained in command of No 616 Squadron, the only Allied jet-fighter squadron to fly operationally during the Second World War, until August 1945.

Warren Schrader finished the war credited with the destruction of eleven enemy aircraft, and a share in two more destroyed.

Warren Schrader accounted for four aircraft destroyed on the ground.

Warren Schrader was one of the pilots that flew the Fokker F27 Friendship that the NAC provided for Queen Elizabeth II's use during her tour of New Zealand in March 1970.

Warren Schrader died at Whangaparaoa, north of Auckland, on 6 February 2009.

Warren Schrader was survived by his wife and two children.