29/03/1945 – Attack Against Salzgitter
Twenty one aircraft attacked Saltzgitter as detailed. Cloud was ten tenths, tops up to 19,000 ft and thin cloud and contrails persisting above, reducing visibility to 500yds. No results were observed and a scattered raid is reported. Flak moderate.
Lancaster Mk.I HK573 AA-H
F/S Charles Raymond Wagstaff, RNZAF NZ422906 – Pilot.
F/S William John McMurray, RNZAF NZ436201 – Navigator.
Sgt. D. Brookhouse, RAFVR – Air Bomber.
F/S Murray Gilbertson Garland, RNZAF NZ425496 – Wireless Operator.
F/S Dennis Henry Edwards, RAFVR – Flight Engineer.
F/S William David Thompson, RNZAF NZ427343 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S Te Rahu Calvin Mataira, RNZAF NZ43492 – Rear Gunner.
P/O D. Jones, RAFVR – Mid Under Gunner
Take Off 12:42 – Landed 19:29
Flight Time 06:47
13/04/1945 – Attack on Kiel
21 aircraft were detailed to attack Kiel. The target was covered by 10/10 cloud with tops 4/5000. Bombing was concentrated and fires were seen on leaving the target. Flak was slight. M/B was clearly heard. (AA’K’ F/O. Morgan W.) returned early, bombs were jettisoned. This was also a leaflet raid.
Lancaster Mk.I RF190 AA-F
F/S Charles Raymond Wagstaff, RNZAF NZ422906 – Pilot.
F/S William John McMurray, RNZAF NZ436201 – Navigator.
Sgt. D. Brookhouse, RAFVR – Air Bomber.
F/S Murray Gilbertson Garland, RNZAF NZ425496 – Wireless Operator.
F/S Dennis Henry Edwards, RAFVR – Flight Engineer.
F/S William David Thompson, RNZAF NZ427343 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S Te Rahu Calvin Mataira, RNZAF NZ43492 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 20:33 – Landed 02:47
Flight Time 06:14
14/04/1945 – Attack on Potsdam
25 aircraft were detailed to attack POTSDAM. There was no cloud and visibility was good. A very concentrated attack developed and the target was well alight by the time the last aircraft were on their way home. Flak was slight and bursting well below stream. AA’T’ (F/O A.R. Baynes) was attacked by two enemy aircraft believed to be JU.88’s 20 miles S.W. of Potsdam on the homeward journey. The Flight Engineer (Sgt. Sliman) was killed by canon shell.
Lancaster Mk.I HK573 AA-H
F/S Charles Raymond Wagstaff, RNZAF NZ422906 – Pilot.
F/S William John McMurray, RNZAF NZ436201 – Navigator.
Sgt. D. Brookhouse, RAFVR – Air Bomber.
F/S Murray Gilbertson Garland, RNZAF NZ425496 – Wireless Operator.
F/S Dennis Henry Edwards, RAFVR – Flight Engineer.
F/S William David Thompson, RNZAF NZ427343 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S Te Rahu Calvin Mataira, RNZAF NZ43492 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 18:15 – Landed 03:08
Flight Time 08:53
24/04/1945 – Attack on Bad Oldesloe
21 aircraft were detailed to attack BAD OLDESLOE. JN/N (F/L Preyer) failed to take off owing to engine trouble and AA/Y (F/S Reay) made an early return owing to fire in starboard outer engine. No opposition was encountered but slight flak seen over Dutch Coast. Some of the bombs fell to the port of the A/P. Main attack considered very good.
Lancaster Mk.I HK573 AA-H
F/S Charles Raymond Wagstaff, RNZAF NZ422906 – Pilot.
F/S William John McMurray, RNZAF NZ436201 – Navigator.
Sgt. D. Brookhouse, RAFVR – Air Bomber.
F/S Murray Gilbertson Garland, RNZAF NZ425496 – Wireless Operator.
F/S Dennis Henry Edwards, RAFVR – Flight Engineer.
F/S William David Thompson, RNZAF NZ427343 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S Te Rahu Calvin Mataira, RNZAF NZ43492 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 07:18 – Landed 13:09
Flight Time 05:51
01/05/1945 – Supply Dropping at Delft
21 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 roof tops.
Lancaster Mk.I NN773 AA-G
F/O Charles Raymond Wagstaff, RNZAF NZ422906 – Pilot.
F/S William John McMurray, RNZAF NZ436201 – Navigator.
Sgt. D. Brookhouse, RAFVR – Air Bomber.
F/S Murray Gilbertson Garland, RNZAF NZ425496 – Wireless Operator.
F/S Dennis Henry Edwards, RAFVR – Flight Engineer.
F/S William David Thompson, RNZAF NZ427343 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S Te Rahu Calvin Mataira, RNZAF NZ43492 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 13:54 – Landed 16:09
Flight Time 02:15
08/05/1945 – Supply Dropping at Rotterdam
8 Aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping at Rotterdam. The mission was uneventful, but considered successful.
Lancaster Mk.I NN773 AA-G
F/O Charles Raymond Wagstaff, RNZAF NZ422906 – Pilot.
F/S William John McMurray, RNZAF NZ436201 – Navigator.
Sgt. D. Brookhouse, RAFVR – Air Bomber.
F/S Murray Gilbertson Garland, RNZAF NZ425496 – Wireless Operator.
F/S Dennis Henry Edwards, RAFVR – Flight Engineer.
F/S William David Thompson, RNZAF NZ427343 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S Te Rahu Calvin Mataira, RNZAF NZ43492 – Rear Gunner.
S/L Tenant , Passenger – .
Take Off 12:42 – Landed 15:08
Flight Time 02:26
11/05/1945 – Repatriation of Prisoners of War at Juvincourt
Two missions were made today. 15 Aircraft were detailed for the first mission, and 6 Aircraft for the second mission. F/O H. Trewheela and crew were on both missions. Repatriation of Prisoners of War at Juvincourt was the objective. F/O H. Trewheela (JN.F) starboard outer failed as he approached the landing field. He returned to Base without landing, and he reached Juvincourt on the second mission, but was refused permission to land and told to return to Base. F/O R. Milsom (AA.F) had engine trouble at Tangmere and his return was delayed. A total of 336 men returned for the first mission. Weather deteriorated during the day and only 48 men were brought back by the second mission.F/L S. Peryer (JN.N) returned from Juvincourt on three engines. F/O T. Good (AA.S) was forced to land at Upwood on return due to weather conditions.
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
F/O Charles Raymond Wagstaff, RNZAF NZ422906 – Pilot.
F/S William John McMurray, RNZAF NZ436201 – Navigator.
F/S D. Brookhouse, RAFVR – Air Bomber.
P/O Murray Gilbertson Garland, RNZAF NZ425496 – Wireless Operator.
F/S Dennis Henry Edwards, RAFVR – Flight Engineer.
F/S William David Thompson, RNZAF NZ427343 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S Te Rahu Calvin Mataira, RNZAF NZ43492 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 11:43 – Landed 18:27
Flight Time 06:44
03/06/1945 – Viewing the Effects of the Bombing Offensive
3 Aircraft were detailed for viewing the Bombing Offensive.
Lancaster Mk.I ME751 AA-H
F/O Charles Raymond Wagstaff, RNZAF NZ422906 – Pilot.
F/S William John McMurray, RNZAF NZ436201 – Navigator.
F/S D. Brookhouse, RAFVR – Air Bomber.
F/S Murray Gilbertson Garland, RNZAF NZ425496 – Wireless Operator.
F/S Dennis Henry Edwards, RAFVR – Flight Engineer.
F/S William David Thompson, RNZAF NZ427343 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S Te Rahu Calvin Mataira, RNZAF NZ43492 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 14:28 – Landed 18:25
Flight Time 03:57
29/06/1945 – Checking German Radar Equipment
11 aircraft were detailed for the Post Mortem Operation for checking German radar equipment.
Lancaster Mk.I PP678? ??-A
F/O Charles Raymond Wagstaff, RNZAF NZ422906 – Pilot.
F/S William John McMurray, RNZAF NZ436201 – Navigator.
F/S D. Brookhouse, RAFVR – Air Bomber.
F/S Murray Gilbertson Garland, RNZAF NZ425496 – Wireless Operator.
F/S Dennis Henry Edwards, RAFVR – Flight Engineer.
F/S William David Thompson, RNZAF NZ427343 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S Te Rahu Calvin Mataira, RNZAF NZ43492 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 10:10 – Landed 15:58
Flight Time 05:48
75(nz)squadron 