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.

75 (NZ) Squadron ANZAC Day 25 April 1944.

A quick search of the Operational Record Books of the Squadron has only revealed one mention of ANZAC Day Services. I’m sure there were other ANZAC Day services, but none seem to be mentioned in the ORB’s except for this one in 1944.

A.N.Z.A.C. Service.
A Service was held at the Sutton Church on the 25th April 1944. Between 20 and 30 New Zealand and Australian personnel attended the Service. W/O K. A. Smith who made the necessary arrangements has since been reported missing from operations. A wreath was placed on the Cenotaph in the Sutton Churchyard by F/Lt  J. Grubb.

The aircrew were on standby as fourteen aircraft were detailed to attack Schweinfurt, and five to make an attack against Villeneuve St Georges. Both operations were cancelled however.

If you have any further details of ANZAC Day Services involving 75 (NZ) Squadron during the times they were at Feltwell, Newmarket or Mepal, please feel free to add details, or contact me.

Lest We Forget.