Phillip John Lamason, was a pilot in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during the Second World War, who rose to prominence as the senior officer in charge of 168 Allied airmen taken to Buchenwald concentration camp, Germany, in August 1944. Raised in Napier, he joined the RNZAF in September 1940, and by April 1942 was a pilot officer serving with the Royal Air Force in Europe. On 8 June 1944, Lamason was in command of a Lancaster heavy bomber that was shot down during a raid on railway marshalling yards near Paris. Bailing out, he was picked up by members of the French Resistance and hidden at various locations for seven weeks. While attempting to reach Spain along the Comet line, Lamason was betrayed by a double agent within the Resistance and seized by the Gestapo.
Phil Lamason, New Zealand soldier and pilot (born 1918)
On May 19, in the year 2012, Phil Lamason, New Zealand soldier and pilot (born 1918). This event is recorded as a Notable Deaths event in the history of May 19, one of 406 recorded events on this date across all of history.
1 notable person is associated with this event, including Phil Lamason. Learn more below.
Key Facts
- This event took place on May 19, 2012 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Notable Deaths event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 1 Wikipedia article.
- 1 notable person is recorded as involved in or associated with this event.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 15 May 2026.
On This Date in History 406
This article draws on content from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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