MEPAL
1.7.45
Weather. Fair to cloudy with occasional showers in afternoon. Visibility 10–20 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. 9 aircraft were detailed for the Post Mortem Operation for checking German Radar Equipment. F/O.H.Trewheela and F/S.W.Batger returned early and did not complete the operation owing to engine failures.
2.7.45
Weather. Fair at first rapidly becoming cloudy. Visibility 8-10 miles, falling 4-6 miles late at night.
Non-Operational Flying. 2 aircraft were detailed for viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensives. Air tests were carried out.
Appointments. N.Z.4213928 F/S.Rennie.R.W. (Nav) and N.Z.429127 F/S.Anderson B.L.D (Pilot) were both appointed to commissions.
Promotions. P/O.D.D.Hope. Aus.401954 (Nav) promoted F/O (W/S). P/O.R.J.Hamilton. N.Z.404136 (Pilot), P/O.R.G.T.Iles.N.Z.4212588 (Pilot), P/O.G.D.P.Trevarthen. N.Z.429974 (Pilot) and P/O.J.S.Young. N.Z.4213650 (Pilot) were all promoted Flying Officers (Acting) Aus.423476 F/S.Murphy.L.T. (WO/AIR) and Aus.432532 F/S.Mitchersen.J. (WO/AIR) were both promoted T/W/O.
3.7.45
Weather. Cloudy becoming fine in afternoon and fine in evening. Visibility 4–6 miles improving 8 miles in afternoon, falling to 6 miles at night.
Non-Operational Flying. 2 aircraft were detailed for viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive. 8 aircraft were detailed for the Post Mortem Operation for checking German Radar Equipment. Bombing, Fighter affiliation and Air to Air Firing Exercises were carried out.
All the Australian members of the squadron were posted to R.A.F. Gamstenpending repatriation. The squadron was very sorry to say goodbye to these gallant companions. F/O.J.H.McDonald was posted in for flying duties from No.11.A.G.S.
4.7.45
Weather. Fair becoming cloudy with fog during the early part of the morning. Visibility 3–6 miles deteriorating to 600 yards in fog but improving later 8 -12 miles.
Appointments. N.Z.421642 F/S.Clarke.E.E.W. (WO/AIR) was appointed to a commission.
Postings. 23 members of the Squadron (R.A.F. Personnel) who were declared redundant when the Australians left the Squadron were today posted to R.A.F. Station Burn.
Non-Operational Flying. 15 aircraft were detailed for the Post Mortem Operation for checking German Radar Equipment. 2 aircraft were detailed for viewing the Bombing Offensive. Air tests were carried out.
5.7.45
Weather. Cloudy becoming fine by evening. Early morning mist. Visibility 3–6 miles falling 3000 yards at 03.00 hours. Improving slowly to 6-8 miles by 10.00–12.00 hours. Improving in afternoon and evening to 15 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. 12 aircraft were detailed for the Post Mortem Operation for checking German Radar Equipment. One aircraft was detailed for viewing the Bombing Offensive.
6.7.45
Weather. Fine becoming fair. Visibility 6-8 miles at first decreasing temporarily during early morning to 3 – 5 miles. Improving rapidly to 12–15 miles by noon and remaining good.
Non-Operational Flying. 4 aircraft were detailed for viewing the results of the Bombing Offensive. 9 Army Co-operation Flights were carried out.
Postings. N.Z. 415319 F/S.Heald.S.J (A/B) posted to No.12 P.D.R.C. Brighton for repatriation.
7.7.45
Weather. Fair . Visibility 8–12 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
8.7.45
Weather. Fine becoming fair to cloudy. Visibility 10–12 miles but 4–6 miles around dawn. Non-Operational Flying. 5 aircraft were detailed for viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive. Air Tests were carried out.
Appointments. 1625958 F/S.Elsden.L.P. (A/B) and 1567912 F/S McDiarmid.C.R. (F/E) were both appointed to a commission.
9.7.45
Weather. Fair becoming cloudy with slight rain in late evening. Visibility 6–8 miles at first deteriorating temporarily near dawn to 3000 yards–3 miles. Improving to 10–15 miles later deteriorating 6–8 miles in rain.
Non-Operational Flying. 4 aircraft were detailed for viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive. 9 Army Co-operation Flights were carried out. H2S Cross Countries and Fighter Affiliation Flights were also carried out.
10.7.45
Weather. Cloudy and misty with spells of continuous and intermittent rain throughout. Visibility 5 – 8 miles deteriorating temporarily to 3000 yards and then varying 2000 – 3000 yards.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
Promotions. P/O.G.W.Parry. N.Z.4212596.(Pilot) was promoted to rank of F/O (Acting).
11.7.45
Weather. Fog persisting until afternoon followed by low cloud gradually. Visibility, fog at first slowly improving to 2–3 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
Postings. 1867174 F/S.Perry.W.M. (WO/AIR) was posted today to No.622 Squadron.
12.7.45
Weather. Fair to fine with cloudy period during early morning and afternoon. Visibility 3–5 miles improving to 8–12 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. 2 aircraft were detailed for viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive. Bullseye Exercises were carried out. Air Tests were made and Fighter Affiliation was practiced.
13.7.45
Weather. Fine to fair. Visibility 8–15 miles falling to less than 5 miles after dusk.
Non-Operational Flying. 2 aircraft were detailed for viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive. 9 Army Co-operation Flights were carried out and Air Tests were made.
Appointments. 1276838 F/S.Gunningham.F.D. (Nav) Commissioned.
Promotions. P/O.Opie.C.V. Aus 429990 granted A/F/O.
Postings. 8 N.Z. Officers were posted to Brighton for repatriation.
14.7.45
Weather. Cloudy with spells of intermittent rain during morning and thundery activity in late evening. Visibility 2–7 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. 2 aircraft were detailed for viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive. Air Tests were carried out.
15.7.45
Weather. Cloudy becoming fine. Cloudy again in afternoon but fine at night. Visibility 3 miles at first improving to 8–10 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. 5 aircraft were detailed for viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive. Circuits and landings were practiced.
16.7.45
Weather. Fair becoming cloudy with continuous slight rain during early morning, improving to fine towards end of period. Visibility 8-0 miles becoming 15–20 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. 2 aircraft were detailed for viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive. W/Cdr.C.H.Baigent D.F.C. and bar, the Squadron Commander, flew to R.A.F. Spilsby and back with the Adjutant and Section Leaders.
17.7.45
Weather. Mainly fine, cloudy at times. Visibility 8–15 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. 2 aircraft were detailed for viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive.
Postings. F/Lt.J.C.Parker N.Z.405608 (Pilot) and P/O.J.H.Wood N.Z.426235 (Pilot) posted 195 OTU.
Organisation. The Squadron was reformed today with an establishment of two flights of 15 crews and one additional crew for the Commanding Officer. 90 members of the old Squadron, all New Zealanders, remain with the Squadron. The balance of personnel is to be disposed of to various units. Vacancies are to be filled by New Zealand personnel from other Squadrons. The Squadron when formed is to be composed entirely of New Zealanders and is to be trained for further operational duties.
Visits. The Squadron was honoured today by a visit from the Air Officer Commanding No.3 Group. Air Vice-Marshal R.Harrison.CB., C.B.E., D.F.C., A.F.C.,. The Air Officer Commanding spoke very highly of the Squadron’s work while under his command and wished all personnel the best of good luck in the new group. This visit was most warmly appreciated by all members of the Squadron.
Honours and Awards. The Squadron Commander, Wing Commander C.H.Baigent, D.F.C. and Bar received word today of the award of the D.S.O.
18.7.45
Weather. Fair becoming cloudy. Visibility 6–12 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. 4 aircraft were detailed for viewing the results of the Bombing Offensive. Air test were carried out.
Promotions. N.Z.4211798 F/S.Daly.A.G. (Pilot) promoted T/W/O.
Postings. 30 Pilot/Flight Engineers arrived for flying duties with the Squadron. All are New Zealanders.
19.7.45
Weather. Cloudy with fair intervals during the afternoon. Slight rain towards evening. Visibility 7 miles improving to 10-20 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. 3 aircraft were detailed for viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive. Air tests were made.
20.7.45
Weather. Fair becoming cloudy during day. Fair later in period. Visibility 8-10 miles improving 12-15 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
21.7.45
Weather. Mainly cloudy with slight drizzle during morning. Visibility 6-10 miles deteriorating after dawn to 2500 yards in drizzle. Improving during morning to 5-8 miles and later 10-20 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
Postings. 15 New Zealand Officers and 69 New Zealand N.C.Os arrived for flying duties. 42 New Zealand Officers, 17 R.A.F. Officers, 30 N.Z. N.C.Os and 116 R.A.F. N.C.Os remain at Mepal for subsequent disposal.
Visits. The Squadron was honoured today by a farewell visit from the Base Commander (No.33 Base) Air Commodore H.H.Down. C.B.E., A.F.C.,
Administration. The Squadron Moved from R.A.F. Station, Mepal, No. 3 Group, to R.A.F. Station, Spilsby, No.5.Group. The journey was made by rail and the whole move was carried out very smoothly. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to both stations for their excellent cooperation in the movement.
SPILSBY
22.7.45
Weather. Fine at first becoming fair then cloudy.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
Postings. 4 N.C.Os all New Zealanders arrived for flying duties.
23.7.45
Weather. Cloudy at first becoming fair then fine, rather warm.
Non-Operational Flying. Local flying was carried out and circuits and landings were practiced.
Postings. 2 New Zealander N.C.Os arrived for flying duties.
24.7.45
Weather. Fine at first becoming fair then cloudy.
Non-Operational Flying. Local flying was carried out and circuits and landings were practiced.
25.7.45
Weather. Mainly cloudy but some fair intervals during the afternoon; warm.
Non-Operational Flying. Fighter Affiliation was carried out.
Visits. The Squadron was visited today by Air Commodore K.L.Caldwell. C.B.E., M.C., D.F.C, Air Officer Commanding Royal New Zealand Air Force Headquarters London. Air Commodore addressed the Squadron and explained the policy of the Royal New Zealand Air force so far as it affected the Squadron in its new role.
26.7.45
Weather. Cloudy with rainy periods.
Non-Operational Flying. Practice Bombing was carried out.
27.7.45
Weather. Cloudy with rain at first; showery during afternoon becoming fair.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
28.7.45
Weather. Fair at first becoming cloudy, some rain around noon; fine during evening becoming fair at night.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
29.7.45
Weather. Mainly fine at first soon becoming cloudy; fair again at night.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
30.7.45
Weather. Fair at first becoming cloudy with some rain in early morning; fair during afternoon but cloudy again at night.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
Visits and Inspections. Air Officer Commanding No.5. Group, Air Vice-Marshal H.A.Constantine. C.B.E., D.S.O., visited and inspected the station. In the afternoon The Air Vice-Marshal addressed the Squadron.
31.7.45
Weather. Cloudy all day some rain during the early morning.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
APPENDICES
P.O.Rs. – Officers:
R.A.F. 38-42
R.A.A.F. 17-20
R.C.A.F. NIL
R.N.Z.A.F. 43-48
Airmen:
R.A.F. 46-50
R.A.A.F. 16-18
R.C.A.F. 12
R.N.Z.A.F. 37-41
(Sgd.)
Wing Commander, Commanding,
No. 75 (NZ) Squadron. R.A.F.
Continue these records – August 1945
75(nz)squadron 