Keith Thiele
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Keith Frederick Thiele, was an officer of the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the Second World War. He was one of only four New Zealand-born airmen to receive two medal Bars to his Distinguished Fl
Keith Frederick Thiele c. 1941
Thiele, on the right, with Squadron Leader Sinclair of No. 467 Squadron, June 1943
Thiele stands second left with fellow squadron commanders of No. 122 Wing, Evan Mackie (first left), of No. 80 Squadron, and Arthur Umbers (first right), of No. 486 Squadron; Patrick Jameson, commander of the wing, stands third left
No. 486 Squadron RNZAF
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No. 486 Squadron was a fighter squadron established for service during the Second World War. It was a New Zealand squadron formed under Article XV of the Empire Air Training Plan. Although many of its
Keith Thiele
…and the Narrow Seas in defence of coastal shipping, victims of sabotage attacks from occupied France. Later promoted to flight command, Thiele joined No. 486 (NZ) Squadron in October 1944 to pilot Hawker Typhoon fighters from Volkel, the Netherlands, on which he completed 50 operations. He then joined No. 3 Squadron, in…
486 squadron RNZAF badge
Hurricane night fighter pilots of the squadron at RAF Wittering in 1942
A Hawker Typhoon Mk IB of No. 486 Squadron RAF in flight, 1943
A Hawker Tempest V of No. 486 Squadron