Phil Lamason
| Phillip (Phil) Lamason | |
|---|---|
Squadron Leader Phil Lamason c. 1942
|
|
| Born | 15 September 1918 Napier, New Zealand |
| Died | 19 May 2012 (aged 93) Dannevirke, New Zealand |
| Allegiance |
 New Zealand
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal New Zealand Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1940–1945 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit |
No. 218 Squadron RAF No. 15 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Mentioned in Despatches (2) |
| Other work | Farmer |
Phillip (Phil) John Lamason DFC & Bar (15 September 1918 – 19 May 2012) 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 double-crossed by a traitor within the Resistance and handed over to the Gestapo. After interrogation, he was taken to Fresnes prison. Classified as a "Terrorflieger" (terror flier), he was not accorded prisoner-of-war (POW) status, but instead treated as a criminal and spy. By 15 August 1944, Lamason was senior officer of a group of 168 captured Allied airmen who were taken by train to Buchenwald concentration camp, arriving there five days later.
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