Archibald Richardson

Acting Lieutenant Commander [A] Archibald Richardson RNZNVR MiD

Born in Gisborne, Archibald Richardson like other New Zealanders opted for service with the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War. In 1944 he was a fighter pilot with 1840 Squadron flying Hellcats. In August he was posted with his squadron to the carrier HMS Indefatigable for an operation to attack the battleship Tirpitz. Within the strongly escorted carrier attack force, which included HMS Victorious, Furious, Emperor, Searcher, Fencer, and Pursuer, there were about sixty New Zealanders, including Barracuda aircrew of Nos. 827 and 830 Squadrons and Hellcat pilots of No. 1840 Squadron. During the series of strikes, which were diving massed attacks from high altitude, the Tirpitz was initially caught by surprise. Eight direct hits and five probable hits were scored, mostly by 725, 450 and 225-kilogram armour-piercing bombs, before the German smoke screen was set up. One bomb hit just forward of the bridge and penetrated two decks, but failed to explode. The Tirpitz was left burning fiercely, but was not sunk.

During the attack on 24 August 1944 ‘Arch’ Richardson died during his third mission against the Tirpitz when ‘a hail of flak and shell disintegrated his aircraft’. He was considered for the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross for his part in the attack; but eventually received a Mention-in-Despatches. The 27-year-old Hellcat pilot was very popular aboard Indefatigable, and after the war, when the fleet carrier visited New Zealand waters; it made a special visit to the Gisborne area and flew a large formation of its Seafires, Fireflies and Avengers over the town in remembrance of Richardson. He is commemorated on the RNZN memorial at HMNZS Philomel.

In 2018 the wreckage of LT CDR Richardson was discovered on a mountainside in Norway – find out more.