Basil Collyns | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Collyns in 1931 | |
| Nickname(s) | Buck |
| Born | 24 February 1913 Greymouth, New Zealand |
| Died | 20 August 1944 (aged 31) near Rouvres, France |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service | Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1944 |
| Rank | Flight Lieutenant |
| Unit | No. 238 Squadron No. 1 Squadron No. 243 Squadron No. 65 Squadron No. 19 Squadron |
| Battles / wars |
|
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Basil Gordon Collyns, DFC (24 February 1913 – 20 August 1944) was a New Zealand flying ace of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during the Second World War. He is credited with at least five aerial victories.
Born in Greymouth, Collyns was called up to serve in the RNZAF in 1939. After completing his flight training, he was sent to the United Kingdom to serve with the Royal Air Force. After training on the Hawker Hurricane, he was posted to No. 238 Squadron with which he briefly flew in the latter stages of the Battle of Britain. In May 1941 he was transferred to No. 1 Squadron and flew on the Channel Front for six months, during which time he achieved his first aerial victory, before undertaking a period of instructing duties. Returning to operations in June 1942 with No. 243 Squadron he flew a series of operations without success and spent most of the following year as an instructor. In January 1944, he was posted to No. 65 Squadron and undertook a number of sorties in support of Allied preparations for Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings. Transferred to No. No. 19 Squadron after the invasion of Normandy, he was killed in action on 20 August.