Early Life and Training
Basil Collins was born in Greymouth on February 24, 1913. He attended Nelson College from 1925 to 1930, followed by two years at Lincoln Agricultural College. After completing his studies, he became involved in sheep farming in Kaikoura.
In March 1939, Collins attempted to join the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) but failed the medical examination. He managed to secure a spot in the civilian reserve and began training at the Marlborough Aero Club. He persevered, gaining acceptance into flight school and graduating on November 19, 1939. On July 12, 1940, he sailed for Britain.
Combat Service in Europe
On September 28, 1940, Collins was assigned to 238 Squadron, participating in the final phase of the “Battle of Britain.” On May 3, 1941, he transferred to 1 Squadron, with which he flew convoy cover and bomber escort missions. On June 21, 1941, he shot down his first enemy aircraft, a Bf 109.
He was withdrawn from the front lines in mid-November and assigned as an instructor at a flight school. Collins returned to active duty with 243 Squadron in June 1942. This was followed by a series of reassignments: a month with 222 Squadron, six weeks with 485 Squadron, then the Air Fighting Development Unit at Duxford, and finally as a gunnery instructor with 1493 Flight.
Final Engagements and Legacy
Collins returned to combat operations in mid-January 1944, joining 65 Squadron, which flew Mustangs. He shot down four enemy aircraft before summer, though specific details are currently unavailable. On April 19, 1944, Collins damaged a Ju 52 and a Bf 109 on the ground during a strafing attack on a French airfield. Four days later, he transferred to 19 Squadron, participating in the D-Day landings and subsequent battles.
On June 20, 1944, Collins destroyed an FW 190. Two days later, he was listed as missing in action after a raid on Cherbourg; his Mustang was shot down by anti-aircraft fire, but he successfully parachuted to safety. French peasants rescued him and guided him to American positions, from where he returned to Britain on the nearest transport plane.
On June 25, 1944, his unit relocated to France, where their primary role became direct support for advancing ground troops. Collins wrote home, describing this work as primarily “beating up defenseless soldiers,” and he often vomited after such sorties due to what he witnessed. On August 9, he shot down another FW 190 and shared in the destruction of a second.
Five days later, he added a “probable” Bf 109 to his tally and damaged two more FW 190s. On August 20, 1944, during a raid on Cherbourg, Collins shot down an FW 190, but his own Mustang was also hit. His aircraft crashed near Rouvres, and the pilot was killed instantly. Residents of the nearest village found his body and buried him with military honors in the local cemetery, despite strong protests from German authorities.
In October 1944, Collins was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). By the time of his death, he was credited with 7 enemy aircraft shot down personally and many others damaged.