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5 May 1914, Houhora, N.Z.

 

11 Aug 1943, off Dakar, French West Africa 

 

Royal New Zealand Air Force 1941-43

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15 Jun 1941

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Killed In Action

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UK Coastal Command
No 200 Squadron RAF

 

11 Aug 1943,  off Dakar, French West Africa

 

Flying Officer

 

Flying Officer

 

Distinguished Flying Cross

MINI BIO

 

Lloyd is the only serviceman to be awarded the Victoria Cross on the recommendation of the enemy.
Lloyd was educated at Whangarei Boys' High School where he served in the school cadet force. Later studying at Auckland University, he then took up farming, as well as serving as an NCO in the part-time North Auckland Rifles prior to World War II.
He joined the RNZAF as a trainee pilot Jun 1941, obtaining his pilot's wings 16 Jan 42 was commissioned a Pilot Officer.  He was trained in Lockheed Hudson aircraft before going to England Oct 1942.
Posted to West Africa in Dec 1942 and joined 200 Squadron RAF, After 50 operational reconnaissance patrols, convoy escort flights and anti-submarine patrols the squadron converted to the maritime version of the B-24 Liberator. 
An experienced pilot who had already been awarded the DFC, he was posted to Coastal command.  He was flying his first operational flight in a Liberator V on 11 Aug 43 when he engaged a German submarine.  
His aircraft being badly damaged from the submarines anti-aircraft gun Trigg continued to attack.  The Liberator crashed killing Trigg and his crew.  The submarine sank soon after the attack.  The seven survivors were picked up by a British ship the next day.  The German Captain recommending that Trigg be decorated for his bravery.  He said of Trigg "such a gallant fighter as Trigg would have been decorated in Germany with the highest medal or order"..

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LONDON GAZETTE

No. 3

29 October 1943

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Air Ministry, 2nd November, 1943.

The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery: —

Flying Officer Lloyd Allan TRIGG, D.F.C. (N.Z.413515), Royal New Zealand Air Force (missing, believed killed), No. 200 Squadron.

Flying Officer Trigg had rendered outstanding service on convoy escort and antisubmarine duties. He had completed 46 operational sorties and had invariably displayed skill and courage of a very high order. One day in August 1943, Flying Officer Trigg undertook, as captain and pilot, a patrol in a Liberator although he had not previously made any operational sorties in that type of aircraft. After searching for 8 hours a surfaced U-boat was sighted. Flying Officer Trigg immediately prepared to attack. During the approach, the aircraft received many hits from the submarine'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 accurate 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 anti-aircraft 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 U-boat sank within 20 minutes and some of her crew were picked up later in a rubber dinghy that had broken loose from the Liberator. The Battle of the Atlantic has yielded many fine stories of air attacks on underwater 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.