Mepal
1.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Sixteen aircraft took off to attack the Constructional Works Site at Le Nieppe. All aircraft reached the target area and the ten which were at the head of the bomber stream, bombed with the aim of markers, but later aircraft were instructed not to bomb, and these brought their bombs back. There was slight A.A. opposition but no fighter activity. There was 10/10ths cloud at the target.
Administration. All ground staff personnel with the exception of the Squadron Adjutant were posted to No 33 Base in accordance with a new policy. They will remain however, on this Station for duty with the Squadron. 1440684 .F/S. Cooper, K, and 152402 .F/O. H. Rees and crews arrived on posting from No 31 Base.
2.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Fifteen aircraft were detailed to attack the Constructional Works Site at Noyelles-en-Chaussée but the operation was cancelled.
Administration. NZ404340 .F/L. Creagh, A. arrived to take over the duties of Squadron Navigation Officer, in succession to NZ413340 .A/F/L. C. Ormerod.
3.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Twenty out of the twenty one aircraft detailed took off to attack the Supply Dumps at L’Isle Adam, near Paris. They all attacked in clear weather and a very successful and concentrated raid was reported. There was no fighter opposition and only slight A.A. fire was met in the target area.
4.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Twenty aircraft were required to attack the Supply Depot at Foret De Nieppe, but this operation was cancelled, and the same aircraft were detailed to attack the Oil Storage and Refinery at Bec D’Ambes near Bordeaux. All took off and nineteen attacked the primary target in clear weather. A good concentrated raid developed and many fires and explosions were seen with smoke rising to 10,000 ft. There was no opposition. One aircraft attacked Pauillic owing to flying in the wrong bomber stream.
Administration. 141776 .F/O. H. Yates arrived on posting, with his crew, from No 31 Base.
5.8.44
Operational Flying. Eighteen aircraft were detailed to attack the Oil Storage at Bordeaux, Bassens. All aircraft successfully identified and bombed the target visually and a very concentrated raid was reported. Several good explosions and much smoke was seen on leaving the target. A.A. opposition was very slight.
Administration. 150278 .F/O. G. Brunton and 1323677 .F/S. King, D. and crews arrived from No. 31 Base.
6.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Cross country exercises and airtests were carried out.
7/8.8.44
Operational Flying. The target was enemy troops and armour concentrations at Mare De Magne, being made in direct support of the Allied Armies advance in the Caen area. Seventeen aircraft were detailed, all of which took off and dropped their bombs with the aid of markers, and a concentrated raid developed. Opposition from A.A. fire was very slight, but a few enemy fighters were active. One aircraft had an inconclusive combat and another (Captain 150278 .F/O. G. Brunton) failed to return.
8.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Twenty two aircraft were standing by to attack Hautmesnil in support of the British and Canadian Armies, but this operation was cancelled.
Administration. NZ428797 .P/O. J. Scott and crew arrived on posting from No 31 Base.
8/9.8.44
Operational Flying. Twenty aircraft took off as detailed to attack Petrol Dumps at Lucheux, behind the enemy lines. All aircraft were successful in their mission, in good visibility. A good concentration of fires with smoke rising to 9,000 ft., was left burning. There was only slight A.A. opposition, but enemy fighters were active, and three of our aircraft had inconclusive combats, two suffering damage but no casualties.
9.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Cross country flights and airtests were carried out.
9/10.8.44
Operational Flying. Seventeen aircraft took off as detailed to attack the Army Fuel Depot at Fort D’Anglos. All were successful in bombing with the aid of markers. The raid appeared to be scattered but there was indication of a large conflagration. Opposition from A.A. fire was very slight and no enemy fighters were seen.
10.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Formation flying, cross country exercises and air tests were carried out.
Administration. NZ417082 .P/O. L. Martyn arrived on posting, with his crew, from No 31 Base.
11.8.44
Operational Flying. Twenty two aircraft set out as detailed to attack the Marshalling Yard at Lens. All aircraft attacked in good weather and an accurate and concentrated raid resulted. No opposition was encountered.
12.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Air tests were carried out.
12/13.8.44
Operational Flying. The Squadron was allocated four targets for the night. Six aircraft set out to attack Brunswick and bombed by means of navigational aids as 10/10ths. cloud obscured the target. Red glows were seen through the clouds and it is considered that the raid was quite satisfactory. A.A. fire was moderate and no enemy fighters were encountered.
Ten aircraft set out to attack Factories at Russelsheim which are engaged in Flying Bomb production. Nine aircraft bombed the target with the aid of markers and good results were reported. A.A. defences were light, but enemy fighters were active on the homeward route, one aircraft having an inconclusive combat with a JU 88. The aircraft captained by NZ428793 .F/S. Mulcahy, C., failed to return.
One aircraft took part in an attack on enemy troop concentrations in the Falaise area, and returned after a successful and uneventful trip.
Six aircraft were detailed to lay mines in the Gironde Estuary. They all dropped their mines in the allotted area without incident.
13.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Cross country flights and airtests were carried out.
Operational Flying. The Squadron was standing by to attack a tactical target, but the operation was postponed.
Administration. NZ411388 .F/L. R. Earl & NZ42451 .F/O. J. Plummer and crews arrived on posting from No 31 Base.
13/14.8.44
Operational Flying. We continued to stand by to attack a tactical target but the operation was again postponed.
14.8.44
Operational Flying. Twenty two aircraft took off as detailed to attack enemy troop concentrations near Hamel, in support of the advancing British and Canadian Armies. Nineteen were successful in bombing the target with the aid of markers and in accordance with the Master Bomber’s instructions. Three aircraft were unable to bomb owing to being too late over the target. A.A. opposition was very slight and no enemy fighters were seen.
Administration. AUS419328 .F/S. McCartin, P. and crew arrived on posting from No. 31 Base.
15.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Nineteen aircraft took off as detailed to attack the Aerodrome at St. Trond. All aircraft made a successful attack and bombing results were confirmed visually, the bomb bursts being well concentrated on the runways. Opposition was almost negligible both over the target and en route.
16.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests and practice bombing were carried out.
Operational Flying. Eighteen aircraft were standing by to attack a tactical target in Northern France, but the operation was cancelled.
16/17.8.44
Operational Flying. Twenty three aircraft took off as detailed to attack Stettin. Twenty two were successful in attacking the target with the aid of markers, but the raid appeared scattered and no great concentration of fires was achieved. Slight A.A. fire was encountered in the target area and a few fighters were met en route, two aircraft having inconclusive combats. One aircraft returned early with icing trouble.
17.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Navigational cross country exercises were carried out.
Administration. NZ411048 .F/O. K. Southward, 1602332 .F/S. Boyer, L., and 1585981 .F/S. Atkin, D. and crews arrived on posting from No. 31 Base.
18.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests were carried out.
18/19.8.44
Operational Flying. Twenty five aircraft took off as detailed to attack Bremen, twenty four of these contributed to a very successful raid, good concentrated fires being left burning. A moderate A.A. barrage, with numerous searchlights, was encountered between the enemy coast and the target, and three of our aircraft sustained damage. Fighter opposition was weak but one aircraft had an inconclusive combat over the target. One aircraft returned early.
19.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests were carried out.
20.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests and high level practice bombing were carried out.
21.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests were carried out.
22.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests were carried out.
22/23.8.44
Operational Flying. Twenty seven aircraft were detailed for an attack on Stettin, but this operation was cancelled owing to weather conditions.
23.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Navigational exercises, cross country flights, high level practice bombing, fighter affiliation and airtests were carried out.
24.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Local flying and navigational cross country exercises were carried out.
24/25.8.44
Operational Flying. Stettin was again the target for the night, and this Squadron were providing twenty nine aircraft, but the operation was cancelled on account of adverse weather.
25.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Cross country flights, practice bombing and airtests were carried out.
25/26.8.44
Operational Flying. Twenty eight aircraft took off as detailed to attack Russelsheim. Of these twenty five attacked the primary target and reported a good concentrated raid. A.A. opposition was slight, but enemy aircraft were active and one of our aircraft had two inconclusive combats. Another was unable to identify the target and jettisoned its load. A further one was caught in searchlights over the target and during evasive action lost both ailerons. This aircraft was captained by NZ424504 .F/S. O’Callaghan, E. The navigator 958564 .F/S. Hartley, R., kept the aircraft on track on the return journey even though his instruments were unserviceable and his chart lost. Two aircraft failed to return, they were captained by NZ422382 .F/O. J. Fleming and NZ421345 .F/S. Barker, R.
26.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Navigational exercises and airtests were carried out.
26/27.8.44
Operational Flying. Twenty out of the twenty one aircraft detailed, took off and participated in a very concentrated raid against Kiel. Several crews were able to identify the target visually and confirm the accuracy of the bombing. Heavy A.A. fire was moderate and a few of our aircraft suffered slight damage. The aircraft captained by NZ421343 .A/F/L. V. Andrew, was hit by A.A. fire over the target causing serious leg injuries to the MU/Gnr. 1862898 .Sgt. Molony, M. and damage to the Mid upper turret and fuselage.
27.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Airtests were carried out.
Administration. 152351 .F/O. J. Winter and 152112 .F/O. T. Ford and crews arrived on posting from No 31 Base.
28.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Navigational exercises, practice bombing and airtests were carried out.
Administration. 162524 .F/O. K. Tugwell arrived on posting from No. 1657 Con. Unit to assume the duties of Gunnery Leader in succession to 115790 .F/L. W. McAlpine. NZ428060 .F/O. L. Friedrich and crew arrived on posting from No. 31 Base.
29.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Fighter affiliation, high level practice bombing and airtests were carried out.
Administration. 1580245 .F/S. Gordon, R., NZ421767 .F/O. E. Robertson & NZ427481 .F/S. Galletly, A. and crews arrived on posting from No. 31 Base.
29/30.8.44
Operational Flying. Fourteen aircraft took off as detailed to attack Stettin and thirteen of these successfully bombed the target with the aid of markers. A good concentration of fires developed and all crews reported a successful raid. A.A. opposition was moderate and enemy fighters were active on the outward route. Three of our aircraft had combats, two being inconclusive but the third (Captain NZ428797 .P/O. J. Scott) claimed one enemy aircraft as probably destroyed. The aircraft captained by 1323677 .F/S. King, D., failed to return.
In addition six aircraft took off as detailed to lay mines in the Gulf of Danzig. They all dropped their mines successfully by means of navigational aids and their mission was uneventful apart from slight A.A. opposition.
30.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. High level practice bombing, fighter affiliation and airtests were carried out.
Administration. NZ40730 .F/L. A. Baxter and crew arrived on posting from No. 31 Base.
31.8.44
Non-Operational Flying. Fighter affiliation, high level practice bombing, cross country flights and airtests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Eighteen aircraft took off as detailed to attack the Flying Bomb Supply Dump at Pont Reny. All were successful in bombing the target, although cloud obscured it to some extent, which caused part of the bombing to be scattered. No enemy fighters were encountered and A.A. opposition was slight, but one aircraft (Captain NZ421488 .F/O. J. Aitken) was damaged and the Air Bomber, NZ429967 .F/O. R. Mayhill received slight injuries.
Daily Weather Details.
1 August 1944 Cloudy with occasional light drizzle. Visibility generally 2-5 miles.
2 August 1944 Cloudy with slight intermittent drizzle. Visibility poor at first, improving to 15 miles.
3 August 1944 Cloudy with occasional slight drizzle. Visibility generally 6-10 miles.
4 August 1944 Cloudy, becoming fair to fine. Visibility generally 10-25 miles.
5 August 1944 Cloudy, becoming fair. Visibility poor in morning improving to over 15 miles.
6 August 1944 Cloudy, becoming fair. Visibility good.
7 August 1944 Cloudy at first, dispersing towards mid day. Visibility generally 6-12 miles.
8 August 1944 Foggy at first, becoming fair. Visibility 300-800 yds at first, improving quickly to 8-12 miles.
9 August 1944 Fair. Visibility 500 yds early morning, improving quickly to 10-20 miles.
10 August 1944 Cloudy, becoming fair in late afternoon. Visibility over 10 miles.
11 August 1944 Fair, becoming cloudy. Visibility 10-15 miles improving to over 20 miles.
12 August 1944 Fair. Visibility over 15 miles.
13 August 1944 Cloudy, becoming fair. Visibility over 10 miles.
14 August 1944 Fair to fine. Visibility over 15 miles.
15 August 1944 Fine. Visibility generally 15 miles.
16 August 1944 Fine. Visibility 5-10 miles.
17 August 1944 Cloudy most of day, becoming fair later. Visibility 10-20 miles.
18 August 1944 Fair, becoming cloudy. Visibility 10-20 miles.
19 August 1944 Cloudy, with intermittent rain. Visibility 6-10 miles deteriorating to 4 miles in rain.
20 August 1944 Cloudy, with rain. Visibility 3-6 miles.
21 August 1944 Cloudy, with intermittent moderate rain. Visibility 3,000 yds – 3 miles.
22 August 1944 Cloudy, with intermittent moderate rain. Visibility 2-4 miles.
23 August 1944 Cloudy, becoming fair. Visibility poor at first, becoming 5-10 miles.
24 August 1944 Cloudy, with rain in evening. Visibility good deteriorating to 1-2 miles.
25 August 1944 Cloudy, becoming fair. Visibility over 6 miles.
26 August 1944 Cloudy, becoming fair later. Visibility over 5 miles.
27 August 1944 Fine, visibility 5-15 miles.
28 August 1944 Cloudy, continuous rain at first and showery later. Visibility over 10 miles.
29 August 1944 Cloudy, visibility over 6 miles.
30 August 1944 Cloudy with slight rain. Visibility over 10 miles, except in rain.
31 August 1944 Cloudy with occasional showers, becoming fair after dusk. Visibility over 10 miles.
SUMMARY OF EVENTS.
Operational Flying. This month we have attacked a variety of targets, having operated on seventeen days. Six raids have been made against Flying Bomb Sites and Supply Depots, two against Oil Storage, & six against enemy troops in Northern France. Attacks have also been made against German targets, including Stettin twice, Brunswick, Kiel and Bremen. In addition mines have been laid in the Gulf of Danzig and in the Gironde Estuary.
From these operations five aircraft have failed to return.
Non-Operational Flying. Although very busy, operationally, a fairly consistent training programme has been carried out. Particular attention being given to Navigational exercises, Fighter affiliation and cross country exercises.
Awards. The Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to NZ415863 .A/F/L. H. Burton, NZ414591 .A/F/L. S. Clarke and 148919 .A/F/L. S. Galloway.
Monthly totals of flying hours :- Operational: 1,902.10
Non-Operational: 155.20
Operational Sorties: Cumulative total from 1.1.44 :- 1,922
Monthly total :- 344
Cumulative total of Bombs and mines dropped :- 17,877 tons.
Monthly total of bombs dropped :- 1,616 tons.
Monthly total of mines dropped :- 48 tons.
APPENDIX.
Copies of Personnel Occurrence Reports issued during August 1944. No. 8
[Signed R. J. A. Leslie]
Wing Commander, Commanding,
NO. 75(NZ) SQUADRON, R.A.F.
Continue these records – September 1944
75(nz)squadron 