Feltwell
1940
Apl. 1.
Operations.
Three aircraft stood by to carry out Reconnaissance and Nickel operations over North West Germany; this was cancelled at 1800 hours due to weather conditions being unfavourable.
Training.
09.15. Air firing programme arranged over the Wash. This was successfully carried out 4150 rounds being fired.
Apl. 2.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Apl. 3.
Operations.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Apl. 4.
Transcribers’ note: Although not recorded in this O.R.B., on this date the 75 (Bomber) Squadron ceased to exist and its number plate was taken over by the New Zealand Squadron, to form 75 (New Zealand) Squadron.
Operations.
08.25. Three aircraft took off to carry out special sweep as detailed in No.3 Group operations Order No.8, dated 1.4.40.
09.55. All aircraft were recalled by W/T, due to unfavourable weather conditions. All aircraft returned to Base and landed at 09.55.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Apl. 5.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.
Low Bombing programme arranged at Berners Heath. This was carried out successfully by the aircraft detailed.
Apl. 6.
Operations.
Four aircraft carried out Reconnaissance and Nickel operations over the following areas, as detailed in No.3 Group Form B. Of 28/3/40.
Aircraft. Captain. Raid No. Area.
P.9206. F/Lt.Breckton. PCB.146. NEINBURG – PETERSHAGEN.
P.9212 . F/C.Williams.N. PCB.147. NEINBURG.
P.9207. P/O.Williams.W.PCB.148. RIVER WESER.
P.9210. F/O.Coleman. PCB.149. RIVER WESER. PETERSBERG TO MINDEN.
8hrs.30 Mins. Flying time. All aircraft returned safely.
Training.
(Night). Low Bombing programme arranged at Berners Heath. This was carried out successfully by the three aircraft detailed, 12 bombs being dropped.
Postings.
The following Officers posted to this unit from 214 Squadron, Stradishall w.e.f. 6/4/40.
Pilot Officer. R.M. Curtis. G.D.
Pilot Officer. L. Sparling. G.D.
Pilot Officer. L.P. Hockey. G.D.
Authority: No. 3 Group Signal P.29 dated 3/4/40.
Apl. 7.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Two aircraft carried out Reconnaissance of mechanised troops between CIRENCESTER – TEDBURY – BATH. Troops and convoy located by both aircraft without difficulty, and photographs were taken.
Apl. 8.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.
Air firing programme arranged over The Wash, but this was cancelled due to un-favourable weather conditions.
Apl. 9.
Operations.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Apl. 10.
Operations.
05.30. Four aircraft stood by to attack Fleeting Target as detailed in No.3 Group Form B.107 dated 8th. April. 1940.
18.00 Crews stood down.
Flight Lieutenant A,A.N. Breckon (Captain) in Wellington aircraft L.4387 proceeded on Temporary Duty (Special) from this unit.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Apl. 11.
Operations.
05.30. Four aircraft stood by to attack Fleeting Target as detailed in No.3 Group Form B.107 dated 8/4/40.
18.00 Crews stood down.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Apl. 12.
Operations.
05.30. Four aircraft and crews appended below, stood by at one hours notice to attack Fleeting Target.
Aircraft. Captain. Raid No.
P.9206. S/Ldr. C.E.Kay.
P.9207. F/O.J.N. Collins.
P.9210. P/O.W.M.C. Williams.
P.9212. F/O.J. Adams.
06.30 Orders were received for crews to stand by for strike action from 08.00 hours. Instructions were received to set course to attack one enemy cruiser reported in position 580 00’ N. 060 00’ E, at 09.30 hours.
09.10 The four aircraft in company with eight aircraft from 37 Squadron took off setting course at 09.30 hours, and proceeding to the given position, but due to extremely bad weather no contact was made. The formation was split up and aircraft returned to Base independently. See Appendix (Form 541) attached.
One aircraft and crew captained by F/Lt. Breckon from this squadron, but attached to No.18 Coastal Command Group, stationed at Wick to carry out a reconnaissance of the Norwegian coast as far north as Narvik. The aircraft a Wellington Mark 1, no.L4387 fitted with long range Petrol Tanks.
08.00 Course set for Narvik.
13.05 Landfall was made at Lofoten Islands.
Visibility along the Norwegian Coast was very poor, being 10/10 clouds at 500-800 feet most of the time. The reconnaissance was successfully carried out and numerous photographs were taken. Only one enemy aircraft was seen this being a Junkers 88 but no combat took place.
14.00 Course was set for Base at 14.30 hours.
20.15 The Shetland Islands were sighted.
22.00 A night landing was made at Wick, the aircraft having covered 2,060 miles and been in the air 14 hours. 30 minutes.
Apl. 13.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Apl. 14.
Operations.
Aircraft L.4387 with Flight Lieutenant Breckon Captain, returned from Temporary Duty (Special) at Wick.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Apl. 15.
Operations.
Flight Lieutenant A.A.N. Breckon with crew in aircraft L.4387 proceeded to Wick on Temporary Duty (Special).
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Apl. 16.
Operations.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Apl.17.
Operations.
14.00 The following three aircraft and crews stood by at three hours notice to carry out a bombing raid on STAVANGER aerodrome, NORWAY.
Aircraft. Captain. Raid No.
P.9206. F/O.J.Adams. PCB.161.
P.9207. F/O.J.N.Collins. PCB.162.
P.9212. F/O.N.Williams. PCB.163.
16.30 Orders were received for crews to stand by for a strike action from 17.00 hours.
17.10 Instructions were received for the aircraft to set course at 18.15 hours. The aircraft took off and set course at the required time. One aircraft P.9206 with F/O.J,Adams (Captain) returned after 2 hours with electrical trouble, the other two aircraft carried on and successfully attacked the Target and then returned to Base. See Appendix (Form 541) attached.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Apl. 18.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.
One aircraft P.9210 with P/O.Freeman (Captain) carried out a cross country flight of 7 hours duration to Wick and return.
Apl. 19.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.
Air firing programme arranged at Berners Heath. This was successfully carried out 1430 rounds being fired.
Aircraft.
Two new Wellington Mark 1C Aircraft received from 115 Squadron, Marham. Numbers R.3157 and R.3158.
Apl.20.
Operations.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Aircraft.
One new aircraft Wellington Mark 1C Number : R.3159 received to-day from Messers. Vickers Armstrong Ltd., Weybridge, Surrey.
Postings.
The following Officers (Pilots) were posted to this Unit from 214 Squadron, Stradishall, with effect from 20/4/40, as authorised in No. 3 Group Signal P.119 dated 19/4/40.
Number. Rank. Name. Branch.
36336. Pilot Officer. Best.E.W. G.D.
36248 Pilot Officer. Pownall.C.A. G.D.
36241 Pilot Officer. Humphreys.G.L. G.D.
Apl.21.
Training.
Air firing programme arranged at Berners Heath, this was successfully carried out 2330 rounds being fired.
Three aircraft carried out Local night Flying Practice.
Operations.
Three aircraft and crews stood by at 5 hours notice to carry out a bombing raid on Aalborg aerodrome, Denmark:-
Aircraft. Captain. Raid No.
P.9209. F/O.J.Adams. TCB.171.
P.9212. F/O.W.H.Coleman. TCB.172.
P.9210. F/O.W.M.C. Williams. TCB.173.
16.30 Orders were received for crews to be briefed, the take off being arranged independently at 10 minute intervals from 18.30 hours. The aircraft took off on time and set course for the target. The target was reached at the striking time given, and all three aircraft successfully carried out their attacks and then returned softly to Base. See Appendix (Form 541) attached.
Apl. 22.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.
Two aircraft carried out Cross Country training flights of three hours duration.
Postings.
The following Officers were posted to this unit from No.1 A.A.S. MANBY, with effect from 22/4/40. Supernumerary for aircrew (Air Gunner) duties. Authority: Headquarters No. 3 Group letter 3G/8962/2/P.2, dated 19/4/40.
Rank. Name. Branch.
Acting Pilot Officer. Ferris.J.O.W.K. G.D.
“ “ “ Fletcher.G.E. G.D.
“ “ “ Horley.W.G. G.D.
“ “ “ Horsfall.G.D.S. G.D.
“ “ “ Webster.S.W. G.D.
“ “ “ Rayney.W.N. G.D.
Aircraft.
One new Wellington Mark 1C aircraft No. R3160 received from 115 Squadron, Marham. Later a signal from Headquarters no. 3 Group Form “W” S/28 dated 22/4/40 received instructing us to dispatch this aircraft to 149 Squadron, Mildenhall. This movement was effected by us on 22/4/40.
Apl. 23.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.
Two aircraft carried out Instrument Flying Practice and one other aircraft carried out a Cross Country Training Flight of 3 hours duration.
Postings.
Pilot Officer Mitchell.W.J. G.D. posted to this unit from R.A.F. Station North coates, with effect from 23/4/40. Authority A.M. Postgram A. 60028/40/DP.2. (A010A/53 dated 19/4/40, to take up duties of Squadron Adjutant.
Apl.24.
Operations.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Aircraft.
One Wellington Mark 1A No. L.7784 aircraft received from 57 Squadron, Feltwell and one Wellington Mark 1C No. R3156 aircraft received from 115 Squadron, Marham Both aircraft for use in this unit.
Apl.25.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.
Three aircraft carried out Formation Flying Practice. One aircraft carried out a Cross Country Training Flight of three hours duration.
Apl. 26.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.
Formation Flying Practice was carried out by three aircraft.
Aircraft.
Two new Wellington Mark 1C Aircraft No.s. R.3166 and R.3167 received from Messers. Vickers Armstrong Ltd., Weybridge, Surrey, for use by this Unit.
Apl.27. .
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.ix aircraft carried out Formation Flying Practice in two sections of three. One aircraft carried out a Cross Country Training Flight of 5 hours duration.
Apl.28.
Operations.
Training.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Aircraft.
Two new Wellington Mark 1C Aircraft No.s. R.3168 and R.3169 received from Messers. Vickers Armstrong Ltd., Weybridge, Surrey, for use with this Unit.
Apl.29.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.
An Air firing programme was arranged at Berners Heath, but had to be cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions.
Apl.30.
Operations.
Nothing of importance occurred today.
Training.
An Air firing programme was arranged over The Wash, but had to be cancelled due to unfavourable conditions.
Aircraft.
One new Wellington Mark 1C No. R.3165 received from No.149 Squadron, Mildenhall. And one Mark 1C No. R.3172 from No. 214 Squadron, Stradishall. Both aircraft for use in this Unit.
Continue these records – May 1940
75(nz)squadron 