ANZAC DAY 2024

Badge of No. 75 (NZ) Squadron, RAF.

On ANZAC Day 2024 I thought it was a good time to reflect on the Losses suffered on 75 (NZ) Squadron during the Second World War.

Some details from The Bomber Command War Diaries by Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt. 

Raids Flown. –
Wellingtons. – 291 Bombing, 24 Minelaying, 4 Leaflet, 1 Photo Recon.
Stirlings. – 103 Bombing, 107 Minelaying.
Lancasters. – 190 Bombing, 18 Minelaying, 1 Leaflet.

Sorties and Losses.

Wellingtons. – 2,540 sorties, 74 aircraft Lost.
Stirlings. – 1,736 sorties, 72 aircraft Lost.
Lancasters. – 3,741 sorties, 47 aircraft Lost.

8 Lancasters were destroyed in crashes.

Carried out the fourth highest number of bombing raids in Comber Command Heavy Squadrons.
Flew the most sorties in 3 Group and the whole of Bomber Command.
Suffered the second highest casualties in Bomber Command.
Believed to have dropped the third highest tonnage of bombs (approximately21,600).
Also dropped 2,344 mines, probably the second highest number in Bomber Command.

Image from the RW Russell personal album collection. “Refueling and Bombing Up. Tanker Carries 2,500 Gallons, Weighs 22 Tons. Bomb load Here 1 – 4,000 LB “Cookie”, 10 – 500 LB General Purpose, 4 – 250 LB General Purpose. Pushing the “Cookie” under the No. 75 Squadron Lancaster.

Image from the Russell Brothers personal album collection. No. 75 Squadron crews resting on the grass beside a line up of No. 75 Squadron Lancasters. Unknown location. Near aircraft is JN-M.

Photo’s Of The Alexander Crew

These photo’s were found on the Air Force Museum site, via Allan Alexander.

https://fotoweb.airforcemuseum.co.nz/fotoweb/archives/5003-Search-the-Collection/?25=World%20War%20Two

Image from the Allan Mason Forbes Alexander personal album. AMF Alexander and his No. 75 Squadron crew beside the port main wheel of their Stirling. Unknown location in England. Handwritten under the print “Operations crew 1943 75 NZ. Squadron. England. / [L-R] McDonald Rear Gunner, Des Andersen Navigator, Frank Howard Engineer, Doc Lyon Mid Upper Gunner, Tom Mayhew Wireless Operator, Phil Pullyn Bomb Aimer. A Alexander Pilot [crouching in front].”

Image from the R. W. Russell personal album collection. No. 75 Squadron Lancaster crew in front of a Nissen (Quonset) hut. Believed to be at RAF Station Mepal. L-R: “Jack, Ivor, myself [R.W. Russell], George, Fred (crouching, front), Nev, Vic”.

Image from the Allan Mason Forbes Alexander personal album. Informal group of RAF ground crew standing behind a fuel tanker under the wing of a No. 75 Squadron Stirling. Unknown location in England.

Image from the Allan Mason Forbes Alexander personal album. Unknown man standing on a starboard engine of a Stirling. Unknown location in England. Could this be a No. 75 Squadron aircraft?

Image from the Allan Mason Forbes Alexander personal album. 3/4 front view of a No. 75 Squadron Stirling. Unknown location in England.

Image from the RW Russell personal album collection. “Refueling and Bombing Up. Tanker Carries 2,500 Gallons, Weighs 22 Tons. Bomb load Here 1 – 4,000 LB “Cookie”, 10 – 500 LB General Purpose, 4 – 250 LB General Purpose. Pushing the “Cookie” under the No. 75 Squadron Lancaster.

Image from the RW Russell personal album collection. “Bruce’s Crew. [L-R] Rear Gunner “Tutty”, Navigator Jeff Boulton, Bomb Aimer Cyril Bullock, Pilot Bruce, Wireless Operator “Scotty”, Flight Engineer Bill Allred, Mid Upper Gunner “Smithy”. Presumed to be No. 75 Squadron personnel.

Image from the Allan Mason Forbes Alexander personal album. Informal portrait of Pilot Officer AMF Alexander, No. 75 Squadron pilot. Unknown location. Handwritten in the image area “1943 / 75 Squadron.”

Operation Manna (Dropping Food to Dutch People)

One of the most unbelievable bombing missions by the Allies in World War II took place in the closing days of the war, but instead of dropping bombs, the four-engine British Lancaster and American Flying Fortress bombers were dropping rations. After the ambitious, yet failed Operation Market-Garden took place in the Netherlands in September 1944, the Dutch people were stricken with what is referred to as the Hongerwinter or “hunger winter.” The famine, paired with a lack of fuel for warmth, led to an estimated 20,000 civilian deaths. With only half of the country liberated, those in the northern and western portions suffered from continued occupation by German forces, limited food supplies, and the cold season of northwest Europe.

As the war was wrapping up in April of 1945, in an effort to alleviate the suffering of the Dutch, the Allies devised a plan to deliver much needed food via airlift. The plan was complicated for a number of reasons, one of the biggest being the fact that the Germans had their anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) positioned to shoot flak up at the Allied bomber formations on the way to their raids over Nazi Germany. Another was that the Allies and Germans were still at war and the British advance was still pushing forward in the area where many of the rations would need to be dropped.

Negotiations were made for the relief raids with a group of German officers in charge of the occupied Netherlands, with the assistance of Swiss and Swedish emissaries.

One of the key agreements was that certain corridors would be “open,” allowing Allied airmen to fly through, with the promise from the Germans that they would not be fired upon by AAA. This promise, and the fact that the planes would be flying at 400 feet or below (for the safety of the parcels) certainly gave much for the crewmen to be worried about.

The missions went off practically without a hitch. The Germans honored their word, almost entirely, that no coordinated anti-aircraft would fire upon the planes, and countless Dutch civilians benefited from this “manna from heaven.” From April 29 through VE-Day, May 8, 1945, the combined efforts saw over 5,500 sorties dropping over an estimated 10,000 tons of food on the starving and grateful Dutch.

(Additional information from National WII Museum).

Above, Artist Gary Eason’s print of Lancasters dropping food.

Below, A 3 Group Lancaster drops food to awaiting Dutch people.

75 (NZ) Squadron were involved in Operation Manna with 116 aircraft taking part.

29 April 45.  Nine aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping in the Delft area.

30 April 45.  Twenty one aircraft were detailed for Supply dropping in the Rotterdam area.

1 May 45.  Twenty one aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping at Delft. The population were very excited. There was a great deal of flag waving and thanks messages were seen painted on the roof tops.

2 May 45. Twenty one aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping at Delft. The crowd were not as large as usual, but more flags were observed. F/O E. Ohlson reported having seen Germans in barracks cheering and waving white flags. F/O R. Flamank saw Germans waving from gun-posts on the coast.

4 May 45. Six aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping. Three for the Hague, and three for Delft.

5 May 45. Four aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping at the Hague.

7 May 45. Twenty six aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping at Delft.

8 May 1945. (V.E. Day). Eight aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping at Rotterdam.

Pilot Officer Allen Bruce Slater 402550 RAAF

An account of the loss of the Slater crew and Wellington X3652 AA-O.

From the O.R.B.;

25/26 March 42. Attack Against Target At St. Nazaire And Essen.
Twelve aircraft were detailed to attack the above target. Wellington III X3652 captained by P/O Slater, failed to return. Two aircraft failed to locate target. Bomb load of 500 lbs and 250 lbs was dropped in the target area but no results were observed. Slight A.A. fire and a few ineffective searchlights were encountered but no enemy aircraft were seen. Weather was fine with slight ground haze. Navigation by TR1335 and D.R. was good.

Wellington III X3652.    AA.O.          Up 20:39.          Missing.       
P/O Slater, Allen Bruce.                   Captain.             A.402550   RAAF             
Sgt Addis, John Henry.                     2nd Pilot.          1208366               
Sgt Fletcher, James Douglas.          Navigator.         NZ404546
Sgt Wainwright, A. Edward.            W/Operator.     1355493
Sgt Orr, Albert Gladstone.              F/Gunner.          NZ403627
Sgt Burridge, Philip L.                      R/Gunner.          901810
Took off from Feltwell, and cause of loss and crash site not known. The 2nd Pilot,
Sgt Addis was the only crew member killed. The other five crew became Prisoner of War.

The Wellington was hit by 4 Flak batteries of the 4. Flak-Division and belly-landed in a field at Kasslerfeld. (from Nachtjagd Combat Archive The Early Years part two).

The National Archives Australia have a report filled out by P/O Slater on being released from captivity.

The Navigator Flight Sergeant James Douglas Fletcher NZ404546 Prisoner of War.

If you have a photograph of any other crew members, please get in touch and I will be happy to include it to this page. 

Flying Officer Prichard in Wellington R1161 Collision with Blenheim.

3/4 April 41. Attack Against Brest. (from the O.R.B). 
Eight Wellington aircraft of this Unit were detailed to carry out individual bombing attacks against the above target. SAW.728 brought bombs back as nothing could be seen over target area owing to 10/10 cloud. SAW.898 (Captain, F/O Prichard) collided in midair with another aircraft, believed to have been a Blenheim, and was badly damaged and a forced landing was made at Bosecombe Down. The rear gunner of SAW.898 (F/O Brown), shot down one Me.110 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (Immediate). A mixed bomb load was carried and consisted of 500 lbs. S.A.P. and 250 lbs. G.P. Fairly heavy cloud, with ground haze, was experienced over the target area.

Some of the damage caused to Wellington R1161 after a collision with a Blenheim, which unfortunately crashed. The Wellington made a landing at Bosecombe Down. Having looked at the Movement Card for R1161, there is no mention of major damage to the aircraft on this date.

The crew of the Wellington were as follows;

Wellington IC R1161    AA.W          Up 18:45          Down 00:15
F/O Prichard, D. L.                           Captain.           36203
P/O Rees, W. J.                                  2nd Pilot.         86395
P/O Struthers, K. N.                         Obs.                  NZ40950
Sgt Clark.                                           WO/AG             —–
Sgt Errington, N. G.                          F/Gnr.              115683
P/O Brown, W. D.                             R/Gnr.              NZ40732

Enemy aircraft were operating in the target area and the crew were attacked by a Me110 night fighter, which was eagerly engaged by the Rear Gunner, William Davenport Brown. In spite of bad visibility he was able to keep the night fighter in sight, and fired three short bursts which resulted in the fighter diving straight into the sea. 

R1161 was again in a spot of trouble on their homeward flight, when Prichard and crew were approaching their south coast crossing point, at Bridport. In doing so they strayed over the RN Base at Portland Bill, receiving some heavy AA fire, which they successfully avoided. Then while still looking for Bridport they collided with an aircraft, believed to be a Blenheim, flying in the opposite direction. The Blenheim crashed on the mainland, fatally injuring the crew.
Prichard’s aircraft, although badly damaged, was still airworthy and with the second
pilot’s assistance, he managed to maintain control. The W/op quickly transmitted a
Mayday call and they were directed to head for RAF Boscombe Down, where Prichard
carried out an emergency landing without injury to the crew.

F/O Prichard received a Green Endorsement in his Log Book for the above action. “The Air Officer Commanding No.3 Group has highly commended Flying Officer Prichard, Captain of Wellington R1161 on 4th April, on his skill and successful landing of the aircraft after it has collided with a Blenheim which crashed, becoming a total wreck”. [Signed] C. E. Kay, O.C. of 75 (NZ) Squadron.

A few months after the above incident, F/O Prichard was awarded the D.S.O. for another encounter with the enemy.

Citation D.S.O. (Immediate).  25 Jul 1941. One night in June, 1941, this officer carried out an attack against Cologne. While some distance from his target and when on the edge of a dense belt of searchlights through which he had just flown, Flying Officer Prichard’s aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter which opened fire from a very close range. A cannon
shell damaged his engine – almost severing one of the airscrew blades, while the rear
gun turret was completely put out of action. Although forced to fly at a reduced speed
with subsequent loss of height and all power of defence gone, Flying Officer Prichard
continued his mission overcoming almost insuperable difficulties before finally
dropping his bombs in the target area. Despite a harassing return journey he
skillfully flew back to base where he successfully crash-landed his aircraft without
injury to his crew. On a previous occasion, Flying Officer Prichard displayed great
flying skill which enabled his crew to shoot down and enemy fighter which attacked
his aircraft when returning from a successful attack on Brest. Throughout the
numerous operational flights in which he has participated this officer has displayed
high courage, skill and devotion to duty.

If you have any further information on this incident, particularly the identity of the Blenheim, contact me and I can update the information. 

(Wellington Photo credit – “Night After Night” by Max Lambert).

75 Squadron Aircrew Photo 1942.

The photo below is a fine example of 75 (NZ) Squadron aircrew.

Pilot Officer Walter Gordan Fenton NZ391838. Rear Gunner with F. J. Lucas until S/L Lucas finished his tour of operations,  then rear gunner with R. J. Newton.

Flight Lieutenant Edward Cecil Ball NZ40749. Pilot. Posted in from11 O.T.U on 26 March 1942. Completed  28 operations, then posted to 54 O.T.U. on 9 August 1942.

Pilot Officer William Leslie Bridget NZ40731. Navigator with F/L Ball. Completed 29 operations (one with S/L Newton). Embarked for repatriation to New Zealand w.e.f 10 July 1942.

Squadron Leader Raymond John Newton NZ40984. Pilot. Posted in from 23 O.T.U. on 30 January 1942. Completed 26 operations then posted to P.D.C. West Kirby on 17 August 1942. From there posted to H.Q. No.227 Group, India, w.e.f. 25/8/42. On 11 December 1944 Acting Wing Commander Newton arrived at Mepal on posting from Stradishall. Sadly on his 2nd operation the Lancaster was brought down over the Netherlands, with no survivors.

Flight Lieutenant Alfred William Doel NZ39907. Pilot. Served with 37 squadron in Egypt (23 ops). Posted in to 75 squadron from CGS Chilveston on 1 March 1942. Completed 9 operations and was then posted to 109 squadron w.e.f 29 April 42 (5 operations). Then on to 105 squadron (5 ops). Later posted to 1662 H.C.U. and in mid May to 12 squadron. During a raid to Dusseldorf Lancaster DV157 piloted by S/L Doel was hit by flak and crashed into the sea. He was on his 42nd operational sortie, but his first with 12 squadron.

Flight Lieutenant Frank Henderson Denton 36238 RAF. Pilot. Posted in from 214 squadron Stradishall on 3 June 1940. Flew 30 operations for his 1st tour. Returned to the squadron on 19 April 1942 and flew 10 more operations before being posted to G.R.U. Exeter on 20  July 1942. 

Pilot Officer Francis William Green 581283 RAF. Observer. Flew with F. J. Lucas and completed 40 operations. Returned for a second tour and flew with R. J. Newton completing a further10 operations before being posted to 11 O.T.U. w.e.f. 21 May 1942.

Pilot Officer Reginald Leonard Clarke NZ40734. Air Gunner. Posted in from 11 O.T.U. on 17 April 1942. Flew as rear gunner with F/L Ball on 23 operations, and one op with S/L Newton. Posted to P.D.C. West Kirkby w.e.f 10 July 1942, and from there embarked for repatriation to New Zealand.

Pilot Officer Cyril Ingleby 118898 RAF. Air Gunner. Posted in from 11 O.T.U. on 3 April 1942. Flew 29 operations with F/L Ball, and one op with R. J. Newton. Posted back to 11 O.T.U w.e.f. 25 July 1942.

4/5 November 1943. Mining In The Baltic Sea.

Four aircraft were detailed to carry out the above operation with mines of 1,500 lbs. This was an unfortunate night as three aircraft failed to return and the other aircraft returned early having jettisoned it’s mines. This aircraft met an enemy night fighter and sustained damage to the port wing, starboard flap, rear turret and many large holes in the fuselage, the rear gunner, Sgt W. Hurdle, was killed during the combat. The weather was bad and ten tenths cloud made visibility poor. Navigation was very good. The missing aircraft were Stirling’s Mk.III BF461, Captained by P/O G. K. Williams, BK778 Captained by P/O W. S. Masters, and EE897 Captained by F/O N. Wilson.

Stirling Mk.III EJ108 AA.O captained by F/O E. F. Witting was the aircraft attacked by the night fighter, which made one pass and raked the aircraft with cannon fire. Walter Hurdle was killed in the attack and the Stirling was badly damaged. They struggled back to base, and made a difficult but safe landing at Mepal.

This disastrous night cost 16 aircrew killed or missing, 5 became Prisoners of War and 1 evaded, this was F/S Walter Morice from the Gordon Williams crew, and on 28 December 1943 he left Stockholm and arrived in Leuchars on 29 December 1943.

It also cost 3 of the 4 aircraft lost and the other was Cat AC/FB and didn’t return to 75 squadron for five weeks (13 December 1943).

The Squadron Move to Rowley Mile, Newmarket.

The following is from the Form 540 Summary of Events.

1 November 1942 to 9 November 1942.
Movement of Squadron Headquarters to R.A.F. Satellite, Rowley Mile, Newmarket.
This movement was carried out under the Command of Squadron Leader R. S. Crawford by road in Squadron and R.A.F. Station, Mildenhall, Motor Transport.

10 November 42.
Movement of “B” Flight from Conversion Unit Oakington, to R.A.F. Satellite, Rowley Mile, Newmarket.  Personnel moved in two main parties, an Air and Road Party. The Road party traveled with equipment in lorries and coaches provided by R.A.F. Station, Mildenhall. The Air party consisted of 7 Officers and 42 Sergeants who proceeded with aircraft following route detailed by Operations Room, R.A.F. Station, Oakington.
The Air and Road parties moved under the control of Squadron Leader Crompton and Warrant Officer Cooper, respectively.

I would imagine the aircrew were pleased to convert from the Wellington to the Stirling. This also coincided with the move to Newmarket, so many changes for both ground staff and aircrews. 

No. 75 Squadron Stirling, with engines running. Unknown location. CH6314

Photo’s of 75 (NZ) Squadon Lancasters

The New Zealand Bomber Command site on Facebook have posted some photo’s of Lancasters from their collection. Chris Newey has added comments to a few to help identify crews and aircraft. I hope the link works.

OK, so the link only shows the first 5 Lancasters, but then goes on to show more posts from the NZ Bomber Command page. They are all interesting photo’s so take a look. 

 

Pilot Officer John Mathers Bailey. DFC. NZ412183

This photo is from the New Zealand Bomber Command Association.

This great photo shows Pilot Officer Bailey RNZAF and crew plus ground crew.

The aircraft is Short Stirling Mk.1 BK443 AA-V.

From left to right :-

Sgt Roe, LAC Fred Lobley, Flying Officer Charles Ormerod (Nav), Sgt Bruce Hosie (W/Op), Flying Officer Jack Wall (Bomb Aimer), Pilot Officer John Bailey (Pilot), Sgt T. Lillystone (Flight Engineer), Sgt F. Ottaway (Mid Upper Gunner), Sgt W. Thompson (Rear Gunner). LAC R. Murdoch, Cpl. J. Gibson. 

First Tour.
1st Op.
19/20 Sept 1942. Attack Against Targets At Saarbrucken.
32 Ops flown on first Tour.
P/O Bailey, J. M. NZ412183. GD. Posted to No.1665 Con.Unit w.e.f. 9/5/1943

The Bailey crew flew 4 operations in Wellington aircraft, and a further 28 operations flying the Stirling bomber. The Wellington crew consisted of :-

Sgt Bailey, J. M. – Captain 
P/O Omerord, C. F. – Navigator
Sgt Hosie, B. J. – Wireless Operator
Sgt Davison. – Front Gunner
Sgt Thompson, W. F. – Rear Gunner

2nd Tour.
6 October 1944.
F/L J. Bailey and crew arrived on posting from No. 31 Base.
1st Op.
28 October 1944. Attack against Cologne.
24 further Op on Lancaster aircraft.

After converting to the four engine Stirling aircraft the crew had an extra Air Gunner for the Mid Upper Turret, and a Flight Engineer to look after the aircraft systems. The crew were as follows :-

F/S Bailey, J. M. – Captain.                              NZ412143
P/O Ormerod, C. F. – Navigator.                   NZ413340
Sgt Lillystone, T. E. – Flight Engineer.            941925
Sgt Hosie, B. J. –  Wireless Operator.            NZ412882
Sgt Wall, J. G.  – Air Bomber (Bomb Aimer). NZ412882
Sgt Ottaway, F. J. Mid Upper Gunner.          1282270
Sgt Thompson, W. F. Rear Gunner.              962902