FELTWELL
1.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL
TRAINING. – NIL. All flying cancelled owing to weather.
2.1.42
OPERATIONS. – BOMBING ATTACKS AGAINST TARGETS AT BREST.
1610 2235
Five Wellington Ic aircraft from this unit were detailed to carry out the above attacks. Bomb load consisting of 500 lbs and containers of incendiaries was dropped in the target area but results were not observed owing to 10/10 cloud. A.A. Fire was only slight, only a few searchlights were active and no enemy aircraft were seen. The weather was poor and there was 10/10 cloud throughout the operation. Navigation was entirely by D.R. Wellington aircraft R1457 returned to base with bomb load.
TRAINING
1045 – N.F.T. carried out in the morning and dual given to 2nd Pilot in the afternoon. Eight machines were tested for operational flying.
3.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
0920 1535 – Very restricted flying owing to poor visibility. One machine on S.C.I. Training of captains on Mk.III Wellingtons commenced. Two hours familiarization.
4.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
1115 1640 – N.F.T. carried out in morning. One machine went to Witterington in the afternoon to arrange for fighter affiliation. Aircraft tested for operations but the latter was cancelled. One hour familiarization Mk.III aircraft given to captains.
5.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
1355 1620 – Owing to shortage of Mk.III aircraft only one captain converted to this type. The utmost possible use of Ic. Aircraft was made to train second pilots. Circuits and landings carried out. Wellington III aircraft, X.3459 and X3461 were dispatched to Cosford for modifications.
6.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
1030 1500 – High level bombing practice carried out by second pilots. Two second pilots carried out 1 hour each circuits and landings
AIRCRAFT ARRIVALS. Two Wellington Mk.III aircraft, X3585 and X3582 received from Dunfries and Lichfield respectively.
7.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING. – No flying owing to unsuitable weather.
8.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
1410 1705 – Owing to limited visibility training was restricted. Second pilots carried out circuits and landings. Two hours of dual given to two captains on Mk.III (solo machine).
DESPATCHES – AIRCRAFT. Wellington Ic aircraft Z1177, Z1077 and X9757 despatched to Newmarket.
9.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
1020 1625 – Second pilots carried out circuits and landings (8 hrs.). One machine on Lorenz but exercise not carried out satisfactorily. Dual was given to one captain on Mk.III. Two captains carried out 1 hr solo flying each.
DESPATCHES. – AIRCRAFT. Wellington II aircraft, Z8495 despatched to Lindholme.
10.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
1025 1610 – Extensive bombing programme carried out. T.R.1335 practice commenced.
Sgt. Machin and crew carried out cross country flight in Wellington Ic, Z1114. (2015 – 0155)
Sgt. Bell and crew carried out cross country flight in Wellington Ic, Z1149. (2125 – 0238)
Sgt. Fraser and crew carried out cross country flight in Wellington, Z8904. (2130 – 0345)
Night dual flying by second pilots (4hrs. 5min).
11.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
1000 1630 – T.R.1335 practice carried out. Second pilots carried out circuits and landings. Two captains out dual flying.
12.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL. (Cancelled)
TRAINING.
1000 1145 – Two machines went on tank cooperation exercise. T.R.1335 practice and N.F.T.’s carried out. Ait firing and bombing practice carried out by four aircraft.
13.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING. – No flying owing to weather.
14.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING. – Second Pilots carried out T.R.1335 and Lorenz bean practice, also night landing carried out. Dual flying and circuits and landings. (Approx. 25 hours flying).
15.1.42
OPERATIONS. – BOMBING ATTACK AGAINST TARGETS AT SCHIPOL.
1830 2155
Two Wellington Ic aircraft from this unit were detailed to carry out the above attack, but one machine, captained by S/Ldr. Kitchen, blew a cylinder and returned to base soon after take-off. Wellington Ic, Z1114, captained by P/O. Sandys carried out the operation ordered. Bomb load consisting of 12 x 250 lbs was dropped on Schipol and neighbouring aerodromes. Bursts were observed. Light flak was encountered in the target area and searchlights were seen near the coast. No enemy aircraft were encountered. There were low clouds near the enemy coast but these cleared on return trip. Navigation was good. Lorenz being used on return.
TRAINING.
1000 1305 – One machine detailed for air firing practice. Second pilots carried out local flying practice. T.R.1335 and dual flying practice carried out.
16.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
0955 1645 – Bombing, air firing and T.R.1335 practice carried out.
AIRCRFT – ARRIVALS. Wellington III, X3462, received from 51 M.U.
17.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
1015 1215 – T.R.1335, air firing and circuits and landings carried out.
ARRIVALS AND DESPATCHES – AIRCRAFT.
Wellington Ic aircraft, Z1114, R1457, Z1068 and Z1108 despatched to 40 sgdn. Wyton.
Wellington III aircraft, X3339 received from 9 M.U. and X3637 from Vickers Armstrong Blackpool and X2255 and X3478 from 48 M.U.
18.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING. – Second pilots carried out circuits and landings. Lorenz and T.R.1335 training also carried out. 1 hr 55min dual at night.
19.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
9hr 30m – Dual flying practice day and night. Circuits and landings by second pilots.
20.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
1010 1530 – Second pilots carried out circuits and landings. Dual, T.R.1335 and air firing practice carried out.
21.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
2245 0540 – Bombing, air firing and dual practice carried out. Circuits and landings carried out. Compasses and loops were swung. Dual practice at night carried out.
22.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
1115 1340 – Two Mk.III tested. T.R.1335 and bombing practice carried out.
ARRIVALS AND DESPATCHES.
Four Wellington Ic aircraft, X9975, Z8978, Z8904 and Z8968 despatched to 40 Sqdn.
Two Wellington III aircraft, X3637, X3339 despatched to 9 Sqdn. Honington.
23.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING. – Flying cancelled owing to bad weather.
24.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING. – No flying owing to weather.
25.1.42
OPERTIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING. – No flying owing weather.
ARRRIVALS – AIRCRAFT. Wellington III aircraft, X3646, received from Vickers Armstrong, Blackpool. Wellington III aircraft, X3597, received from 38 M.U.
26.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
11h 40m– Dual flying carried out. (Day and night)
27.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING. – Three machines successfully carried out air to air firing in the morning. Flying cancelled in afternoon owing to weather. Night bombing carried out commencing at 0115 hours, the last machine landed at 0810 hours. Eight second pilots bombed successfully.
ARRIVALS – AIRCRAFT. Two Wellington aircraft, (Mk.III), X3390 and X3451 received from 9 Sqdn.
28.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING. – Intensive bombing and air firing practice carried out. Second pilots given dual at night, (13h10m).
2055 0300 G/Cptn. Powell and crew carried out cross country flight in Wellington III aircraft.
1920 2330 Sgt. McPhail and crew carried out cross country flight in Wellington III aircraft.
ARRIVALS AND DESPATCHES.
Wellington III aircraft, X3403, received from 48 M.U. Wellington Ic aircraft, Z8977, despatched to 40 Sqdn, Wyton and X9941 to BAT Flt, Mildenhall.
29.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING. – All flying cancelled, aerodrome unserviceable.
30.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING.
1500 1600 – High level bombing practice carried out, second pilots successfully carried out exercise. Two machines used for air to ground firing practice.
31.1.42
OPERATIONS. – NIL.
TRAINING. – No flying owing to weather. Aerodrome unserviceable.
POSTINGS.
P/O. GUNNING, S.H. (GD), P/O. HENDERSON, A.R. (GD) and F/O. STREET, C.W. 82999 posted to Non-Effective strength of RAF Station Feltwell, wef.7.1.42. Auth:-3 Grp. Pgrm. 3G/6601/3/P.4. dated 7.1.42.
F/O. EARLE, J. (GD) Posted from No.22 O.T.U. Wellesbourne wef. 2.1.42. Auth:- 6 Grp. Sig. p4/443/d/d 1.1.42.
A/S/L/ LUCAS, F.J. NZ1056 (GD) posted to No.1519 BATF. Feltwell wef. 10.1.42. Auth:- A.M. Pgrm. A34204/41/DP/2B/4/d/d 7.1.42
P/O. BRAY, R.W. (GD) posted to No.1519 BATF. Feltwell wef. 14.1.42.Auth:- A.M Pgrm. A34204/41/DP2B/4 d/d 7.1.42
ATTACHMENTS.
P/O. BERE, G.A. 63054 (GD) attached to No. 1 A.A.S. Manby wef 3.1.42.Auth:-3 Grp Sig. P.603 d/d 1.1.42
F/Lt. HILL, C.M. 36172 (GD) and P/O SANDYS, JFK J4814 (GD) ceased to be attached to Messers.Vickers Ltd, Weybridge wef. 2.1.42.
A/F/L. MITCHELL, W.J. 77380 (A&SD) attached to School of Administration, Stannington wef. 6.1.42.Auth:-3 Grp Pgrm. 3G/8918/29/6/P.2. dated 21.12.41.
S/L. KITCHIN, P.J.R. 39539 (GD) and P/O. LEGGETT, R. 103037 (GD) attached to Messers Vickers Ltd. Weybridge wef. 5.1.42. Auth:- 3 Grp Sig. P597 dated 1.1.42. Ceased to be attached wef. 8.1.42.
A/F/O. DOUGLAS, A.C. (GD) ceased to be attached to RAF Stn. Worth Matravers wef. 21.12.41. Attached to RAF Stn. Hurn wef. 22.12.41. Auth:- 3 Grp Sig. P995 dated 14.12.41. ceased to be attached wef. 5.1.42.
MENTIONS IN DESPATCHES.
S/L. KITCHIN, P.J.R. 39539 (GD) and A/F/O. HEALEY, J. 45957 (TECH) mentioned in Despatches on 1.1.42. Authy:- Extract London Gazette Serial No. 35399 dated 1.1.42 and Group Routine Orders Serial No. 1 dated 2.1.42.
APPOINTMENTS.
P/O. ERRINGTON, N.G. (GD) appointed to a Commision as Pilot Officer on probation on 2.1.42. Auth:- A.M. letter A.336428/41/S.7(f1(b) dated 7.1.42.
P/O FENTON, W.G. NZ1056 (GD) appointed to Commision as Pilot Officer on probation wef. 2.1.42. Auth:- A.M. letter A.336428/41/S.7(f) 1 (b) dated 9.1.42.
75(nz)squadron 