NZ413515 Flying Officer Lloyd Allan Trigg, VC, DFC, 5/5/1914-11/8/1943.

During the early stages of the U-boat war in the Atlantic the usual tactic to escape air attack was to dive as fast as possible. This became less effective as the war progressed, with Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm aircraft attacking with rockets, cannon and bombs while the submarine was diving. 

The ability of U-boats to stay on the surface at night while charging batteries for diving or using their higher top speed was also being hampered by allied airborne radar and the development of a searchlight linked to it which could be switched on just before attacking (the Leigh light). U-boats began to increase their anti-aircraft armament and fight it out on the surface as their best chance for survival.

Into this situation flew Flying Officer Lloyd Trigg and his crew, recently converted from the twin-engined Hudson to the four-engined Liberator and making their first operational flight.  Their new plane had longer range and a radar in the nose.  Off Bathurst, West Africa (now Banjul in The Gambia) he and his crew met U468, which carried a deck armament of an 88mm dual purpose gun and a 20mm AA cannon.

PRIDE AND SORROW

AIRMAN V.C.'S SCHOOL 

SHINING EXAMPLE TO BOYS (O.C.) WHANGEREI Wednesday 

The pride felt by the pupils and staff of the Whangarei High School in the award of the Victoria Cross to an old boy, Flying-Officer L. A. Trigg, D.F.C., and their sorrow at his presumed death were referred to by the principal, Mr. A. R. Ryder, after prayers in the school hall this morning. He said the award transcended any previous honour won by an old boy of the school. He read the citation accompanying the award and spoke of Flying Officer Trigg's life at the school, his honesty of purpose and all-round ability and his courage on the football field. 

The honour bestowed upon Flying Officer Trigg would serve as an inspiration to future generations of boys in a school where tradition played such an important role, continued Mr. Ryder. Flying-Officer Trigg's action in taking "the path that leads to glory" would ever be held as a shining example to boys in the school. 

WITNESS OF BRAVE ACTION GERMAN U-BOAT OFFICER (Special Correspondent) LONDON, Nov 2 

The admiration of a German submarine first officer had much to do with the award of the Victoria Cross to Flying-Officer L. A. Trigg, D.F.C. He and a few members of his crew were the only ones to see Flying-Officer Trigg's attack and he told his story when picked up by the Royal Navy. This information was given by Wing-Commander D. W. Baird, A.F.C., commanding officer of the New Zealand Catalina Squadron, in writing to R.N.Z.A.F. headquarters, London. "The same day as we were attacking a submarine, a Liberator of another squadron sighted a submarine about 90 miles from our position." states Wing-Commander Baird's letter. "It was hit and set on fire during the run up, but dropped its depth charges. The pilot carried on and got the submarine, which sank 30 minutes later. 

"The Liberator went straight into the sea and all the crew were lost, its dinghies floated up to the surface and were used by the survivors of the submarine who were later picked up by the Navy, after a Sunderland had located them, thinking they were the crew of the Liberator, for which they were looking. The Liberator was not in wireless telegraphic contact throughout the action, so nobody knew anything about it. The story was told by the German submarine first officer, who has the greatest admiration for the Liberator's crew, which was largely New Zealand. "As you may imagine we are proud of being a New Zealand squadron just now." concluded Wing-Commander Baird. "The air officer commanding has signalled a short account of the Liberator's marvellous show to all units here." -NZ Herald, 4/11/1943.

Poster held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum library

SECOND AIRMAN VC

DOMINION HERO ATTACK ON U-BOAT 

PLANE DIVED IN SEA

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. The King has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on Flying-Officer Lloyd Allan Trigg, D.F.C., a member of the R.N.Z.A.F., stated the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, to-day. The Minister added that he regretted to say that, as a result of the gallant action for which Flying-Officer Trigg was awarded this high honour, he is believed to have lost his life, together with four other gallant New Zealanders who were in his crew. The citation accompanying the award states that Flying-Officer Trigg had rendered outstanding services on convoy escort and anti-submarine duties. He had completed 46 operational sorties and invariably displayed skill and courage of a very high order. The citation continues: "One day in August, 1943, Flying-Officer Trigg undertook, as captain and pilot, a patrol in a Liberator bomber, although he had not previously made any operational sorties in that type of aircraft. After searching for eight hours, the Liberator sighted a surfaced U-boat. Flying-Officer Trigg immediately prepared to attack.

Bomber Burst Into Flames "During the approach the aircraft received many hits from the sub marine's anti-aircraft guns, and burst into flames, which quickly enveloped the tail. The moment was critical. Flying-Officer Trigg could have broken off the engagement and made a forced landing in the sea, but if he continued the attack the aircraft would present a no-deflection target to deadly anti-aircraft fire, and every second spent in the air would increase the extent and intensity of the flames and diminish his chances of survival. There could have been no hesitation or doubt in his mind. ''He maintained his course in spite of the already precarious condition of his aircraft, and executed a masterly attack. Skimming over the U-boat at less than 50 feet, with antiaircraft fire entering his opened bomb-doors, Flying-Officer Trigg dropped his bombs on and around the U-boat, where they exploded with devastating effect, "A short distance further on the Liberator dived into the sea with her gallant captain and crew. The Uboat sank within 20 minutes. Some of her crew were picked up later in a rubber dinghy that had broken loose from the Liberator. 

Epic Of Determination "The battle of the Atlantic has yielded many fine stories of air attacks on under-water craft, but Flying-Officer Trigg's exploit stands out as an epic of grim determination and high courage. His was the path of duty that leads to glory," concludes the citation. 

Mr. Jones, on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, conveyed warmest congratulations to Mrs. N. B. Trigg, of Hamua, on the high honour won by her gallant husband, and the deep regret that as a result of his bravery he was believed to have sacrificed his life. 

The four other New Zealanders in the crew of the aircraft were:— Flying-Officer I. Marinovich, Auckland. Temporary Flight-Sergeant T. J. Soper, Takaka. Temporary Flight-Sergeant A. G. Bennett, Wellington. Temporary Flight-Sergeant L. J. Frost, Auckland; together with a Canadian and two members of the R.A.F. 

Sportsman and Farmer Flying-Officer Trigg was born at Houhora, North Auckland, on May 5, 1914, and educated at the Victoria Valley, and Kaitaia primary schools and Whangarei High School. Football, running and tennis were his main sports in high school days, and he was a member of the Rugby first fifteen. At Whangarei he also passed his university entrance and training college entrance examinations. 

On leaving school he took up farming, working in a number of different districts to gain experience in farming methods, and later farming on his own account. He left this occupation in May, 1940, to become a machinery salesman and serviceman

Applying for enlistment in the R.N.Z.A.F. towards the end of 1940 he began training as a pilot in June, 1941. He was trained in New Zealand and Canada under the Empire Air Scheme. He was commissioned Pilot-officer in January, 1942, and left for Britain. He was promoted Flying-officer in October, 1942. 

In June 1943, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for conspicuous work on sea operations. The station on that occasion, after detailing his exploits against U-boats, said: "During the course of a fine operational career this officer has set a conspicuously good example of keenness to fly under all conditions." Flying-Officer Trigg has two sons, one four and a half years of age and the other three. His parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Trigg resided in Victoria Valley, Kaitaia. He also has two brothers and one sister.  -Auckland Star, 2/11/1943.

Lloyd Trigg's name is found amonst those of the fallen at Houhara Cemetery in Northland.

"For Valour" - painting by Charles Thompson, used with kind permission of the artist.