Hast, Reginald

Reginald Hast

RAAF 401506

Flight Sergeant

450 Squadron

Born October 16th 1921 Killed in action December 17th 1944 aged 23 years.

Reg enlisted in Victoria in February 1940 and traveled to Rhodesia in the 12th draft.

Following training he was sent to the Middle East where he joined 450 Squadron. He was engaged with the Desert Harassers flying Kittyhawks on fighter and army co-op missions. On completion of his tour he was posted to an OTU in Palestine as an instructor on Spitfires.

He volunteered to return to 450 for a second tour but on December 17th 1944 on a mission attacking a road bridge at Lugo, near Revenna in Italy he was shot down in flames by anti-aircraft fire.

His aircraft was found buried in the remains of a house and when allies took the town a few days later they buried him there. His remains were later moved to the War Cemetery at Revenna.

Keith Webb - adapted from Noble 600.