Nichterlein, Willie

Willie Nichterlein

RAAF 416104

Pilot Officer

452 Squadron

Born February 14th 1920

Willie already held a pilot's licence when he enlisted and became a member of 13 course. He went to Rhodesia in the eighth draft being trained at 26 EFTS and 22 SFTS before being posted as a sergeant to the UK in 1942.

Posted home in 1943 he joined 452 Squadron stationed in Darwin, And was part of 55 Operational Base Unit when on June 20th he was involved in a chase of Japanese aircraft which went so far out to sea he ran out of fuel and was posted missing, later presumed dead. He had been commissioned Pilot Officer just before his death.