New Zealand Army Brigadier Esther Harrop has attended 31 Anzac Day services around the world, but this year’s ceremony in Samoa held deep personal significance as she reflected on her grandfather’s Second World War service and Samoa’s wartime contribution.
Following the service, Brigadier Harrop presented a Second World War photograph of her grandfather, then Flight Sergeant Andrew Kronfeld, to the local Returned and Services Association (RSA).
The image shows Flight Sergeant Kronfeld in the cockpit of a Royal Air Force Spitfire Mark Vb named Western Samoa. The aircraft was funded by Western Samoan banana farmers, who raised £5,723 by contributing six pence per crate of exported bananas to support the Allied war effort.
The aircraft was gifted to No. 485 (New Zealand) Squadron, and Flight Sergeant Kronfeld – whose family came from Lotofaga on Upolu – was chosen to fly it.
Brigadier Harrop said she was proud to share the story of Samoa’s contribution to the war effort.
“Many people, including RSA President Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, had not heard this story before,” she said. “They didn’t know about the Samoan Spitfire or the connection to a New Zealand-Samoan pilot.”
Flight Sergeant Kronfeld later flew combat missions in Europe, including shooting down a German Messerschmitt Bf 109 over France, and survived the war. The aircraft was later lost after being transferred to an American volunteer unit.
Brigadier Harrop said the Spitfire represents Samoa’s direct contribution to the Allied war effort and the enduring bond between Samoa and New Zealand service personnel.
“It was incredibly special to represent the NZDF and my family in Samoa on Anzac Day,” she said.
