Western Samoa banana farmers contribution to the Allied war effort

Apia, SAMOA – 6 May 2026 – The “amazing” story of Samoa’s contribution to the Second World War with a New Zealand-Samoan pilot from Lotofaga flying a Spitfire that contributed to the Allied war effort in Europe, has come to light.

More fascinating that the Royal Air Force Spitfire Mark Vb named Western Samoa, had been bought with the £5,723 the Western Samoa banana farmers raised by contributing six pence per crate of exported bananas.

Many including the Samoa Returned Servicemen – RSA had not heard this story at all.

Until the grandaughter of the Samoan pilot attended last weeks ANZAC Day commemorations in Apia, told the story and presented a framed photo of the pilot sitting in the cockpit with Western Samoa emblazoned on the side.

“They did not know they had a Samoan Spitfire, let alone that there was a New Zealand-Samoan pilot.

New Zealand Army’s Brigadier Esther Harrop has attended 31 Anzac Day services in uniform around the world but this year’s ceremony in Samoa, and the story of sixpence per crate of bananas and her grandfather’s Spitfire, brought her to tears.

Following the service, Brigadier Harrop presented a Second World War photo of her grandfather, then Flight Sergeant Andrew Kronfeld, to the local Returned and Services Association.

The aircraft was gifted to 485 New Zealand Squadron and Flight Sergeant Kronfeld, whose family came from Lotofaga on the south coast of Upolu, was chosen to fly it.

New Zealand Army’s Brigadier Esther Harrop presented a Second World War photo of her grandfather, then Flight Sergeant Andrew Kronfeld, to the local Returned and Services Association.

Brigadier Harrop said she loved sharing the “amazing” story of Samoa’s contribution to the Second World War.

“The president of the RSA, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, who was formerly the deputy prime minister of Samoa, had not heard this story at all.

“They did not know they had a Samoan Spitfire, let alone that there was a New Zealand-Samoan pilot.

“I was so proud. The reaction from the people who hadn’t heard this story was so cool… they wanted to celebrate this.”

Brigadier Harrop never met her grandfather but found out about the Spitfire and bananas story in about 2015.

Flight Sergeant Andrew Kronfeld was one of two Polynesian faces in his tranche when 90 Commonwealth pilots trained in Winnipeg in Canada, and he was the top graduate. His mother was Louisa Kronfeld of the chiefly title Fiame of Lotofaga, and his father was German trader Gustav Kronfeld. After starting a trading business in Samoa and Tonga, the large family moved to Auckland, New Zealand in 1890.

Flight Sergeant Andrew Kronfeld flew the Spitfire in Europe and shot down a German Messerschmitt Bf 109 over France. He survived the war but the aircraft, which was transferred to an American volunteer unit, was later destroyed.

In 1941 he went to Calcutta, now Kolkata, in India where he met his wife, and their daughter (Brigadier Harrop’s mother Sandy Harrop) was also born there.

Brigadier Harrop said the Spitfire symbolised Samoa’s direct and voluntary contribution to the Allied war effort, and its enduring bond with New Zealand service personnel.

“We are incredibly proud of his service, and it was particularly special to represent the NZDF and my family on Anzac Day in our ancestral home of Samoa.”