May 1945

MEPAL
1.5.45
Weather. Fine, becoming cloudy with intermittent slight rain during the morning, becoming continuous. Fine again towards end of period. Visibility 3 – 6 miles Increasing to 10-15 miles.
Operational Flying. 21 Aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping at Delft. This mission was successful. The population were very excited, There was a great deal of flag waving and thanks messages were seen painted on the roof tops.
Non-Operational Flying. H2S and X Country, G.H. Bombing exercises were carried out. Air Tests were carried out.
Administration. 1067015 W/O G. Clarke, F/Eng, arrived on posting from 1654 Con. Unit.

2.5.45
Weather. Mainly cloudy with some slight showers of snow and rain. Visibility 2 – 6 miles during night, improving to 6-12miles. Falling again to 4 miles after dark.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
Operational Flying.  21 Aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping at Delft. This mission was successful. The crowd were not as large as usual, but more flags were observed. F/O E.Ohlson reported having seen Germans in barracks cheering and waving white flags. F/O R, Flamank saw Germans waving from gunposts on the coast.

3.5.45
Weather. Cloudy, with showers during the day. Late evening becoming continuous and heavy with snow. Visibility 2-4 miles.
Operational Flying. 10 Aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping, five for the Delft, and five for the Hague. The mission was successful. Crowds and flag waving were not as extensive as before, and enthusiasm appears to be waning.
Non-Operational Flying. Circuits and Landing exercises were carried out.

4.5.45
Weather. Cloudy, with occasional showers, including snow in the early hours. Visibility 2-6 miles.
Operational Flying. 6 Aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping. Three for The Hague, and three for the Delft. The missions were successful, but fewer people were seen.
Non-Operational Flying. H2S and X Country exercises and F/A exercises were carried out.

5.5.45
Weather. Cloudy, with intermittent slight rain, becoming continuous towards evening. Visibility 4-6 miles, improving to 6-8 miles, falling to 1200 yards during evening.
Operational Flying. 4 Aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping at the Hague. The mission was uneventful.
Non-Operational Flying. H2S and X Country exercises were carried out.

6.5.45
Weather. Cloudy, with slight rain at first, becoming cloudy. Visibility only 2500 yards at first, but improving gradually to 7 miles by dawn. 10-20 miles throughout remainder of period.
Non-Operational Flying. H2S and X Country exercises were carried out.
Operational Flying. Nil.

7.5.45
Weather. Cloudy becoming fine. Visibility 2-3000 yards at first, improving to 4-6 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
Operational Flying. 26 Aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping at Delft. The mission was uneventful. Oil patches and yellow objects were seen in the sea near the Dutch coast.

8.5.45
V.E. Day, A Station Parade was held at 14.30 hours to mark the event, and the Prime Ministers speech was heard. The Parade was dismissed by the Station Commander, who stated that all personnel not on essential duties were free for the rest of the day.
Weather. Cloudy, slight rain in early afternoon. Visibility 6–12 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
Operational Flying. 8 Aircraft were detailed for Supply Dropping at Rotterdam. This mission was uneventful, but considered successful.
Administration. NZ2286 S/L A.S. Ballingall and crew arrived on posting from 73 Base.

9.5.45
Weather. Cloudy with intermittent slight rain during morning, becoming fair towards midnight. Visibility 5–10 miles increasing 12 miles, falling after dusk to 8 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
Operational Flying. 10 Aircraft were detailed for Repatriation of Prisoners of War. The number of men brought back was 240. S/L B. McKenna (AA-J)., crashed when taking-off at Dunsfold for Base. There were no injuries and the crew returned with F/L M. Adamson, (AA-K). Complaints were made of the bad landing arrangements at Dunsfold.

10.5.45
Weather. Cloudy. Visibility 4-15 miles.
Operational Flying. 15 Aircraft were detailed for the evacuation of Prisoners of War from Juvincourt. The number of men brought back was 336. F/O j. McLernon (AA-G). Had engine trouble when taxying at Juvincourt. The crew returned in HA.M. F/Lt C. Stevens (AA.Y), could not take off at Ford because of tyre creeping. Crew were brought back tio Base by F/O G. Cleminson (JN.O).
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.

11.5.45
Weather. Cloudy, thunderstorms with some rain during late evening. Visibility 4–7 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. H2S and X Country exercises were carried out.
Operational Flying. 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. Wilson (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.

12.5.45
Weather. Fine to cloudy, becoming fair. Visibility 2-3000 yards improving to 3–10 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. Air Tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. 15 Aircraft were detailed for the evacuation of Prisoners of War from Juvincourt. The total number returned for the day was 336. F/O G. Cleminson (JN.O) developed a hydraulic leak at Juvincourt. He had to stay overnight and on the return trip next day, brought another 24 men. The total number of men brought back to date is 1320.

13.5.45
Weather. Fair becoming cloudy. Heavy rain showers and intermittent slight rain in afternoon and early evening. Visibility 3–6 miles improving to 15 miles or more.
Non-Operational Flying. Circuits and Landings were practiced, and Air Tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. 20 Aircraft were detailed to evacuate Prisoners of War from Juvincourt. This was a bad day, for only 24 men were brought back, and these men were brought back by F/S R. Hamilton (AA.F).

14.5.45
Weather. Fine becoming cloudy. Slight intermittent rain during afternoon, Visibility 10–15 miles decreasing 6-10 miles in late evening.
Non-Operational Flying. Circuits and Landings were practiced, and H2S and X Country exercises were carried out.
Operational Flying. 15 Aircraft were detailed for the evacuation of Prisoners of War from Juvincourt. The number of men brought back was 336. F/O W. Ranguiaia (JN.V) had some trouble at Juvincourt and decided to return empty.

15.5.45
Weather. Fine or fair, becoming cloudy. Visibility 6-8 miles becoming 10-15 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. H2S and X Country exercises were carried out, and Air Tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. 8 Aircraft were detailed for the repatriation of Prisoners of War from Juvincourt. The number of men brought back was 191.

16.5.45
Weather. Fair to cloudy, becoming fine in evening. Visibility 4-8 miles improving to 10-20 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. H2S and X Country exercises were carried out, and Fighter Affiliation exercises were carried out.
Operational Flying. 4 Aircraft were detailed for the evacuation of Prisoners of War from Juvincourt. 96 men were brought back bringing the total number now to 1967.

17.5.45
Weather. Fine becoming fair, cloudy in evening. Visibility 7-10 miles improving to 15-20 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. H2S and X Country exercises were carried out, and Fighter Affiliation exercises were carried out.
Operational Flying. Nil.

18.5.45
Weather. Cloudy. Visibility 2-10 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. H2S and X Country exercises were carried out. Air Tests were made.
Operational Flying. Nil.

19.5.45
Weather. Cloudy. Visibility 8-15 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. Air Tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Nil.

20.5.45
Weather. Cloudy, with fair intervals until late afternoon, when precipitation commenced and continued for several hours, closing again later, and weather becoming fair or fine. Visibility 7-15 miles, down to 3 miles in rain.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
Operational Flying. Nil.

21.5.45
Weather. Fine becoming cloudy with occasional slight showers. Visibility 3-4 miles, deteriorating to 12-2000 yards around dawn, improving rapidly to 7-15 miles falling off to 1-2 miles by end of day.
Non-Operational Flying. Nil.
Operational Flying. Nil.

22.5.45
Weather. Cloudy with intermittent slight rain during morning, becoming fair towards evening. Visibility 3-6 miles improving to 15-20 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. Fighter Affiliation exercises were carried out. Air Tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Nil.

23.5.45
Weather. Cloudy. Visibility 2-20 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. Bomb Jettisoning exercises were carried out. Fighter Affiliation exercises were carried out.
Operational Flying. 2 Aircraft were detailed for viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive. 3 Passengers were carried in each aircraft. 10 Aircraft were detailed for the evacuation of Prisoners of War from Juvincourt. The number of men brought back was 240. F/Lt. J. Westbrooke (AA.C). had wheel trouble at Dunsford, and had to return to Base on the 24^th of May.

24.5.45
Weather. Cloudy becoming fine at end of period. Visibility 5-10 miles.
Non-Operational Flying. Fighter Affiliation exercises were carried out.
Operational Flying. 2 Aircraft were detailed for the repatriation of 20 Belgian refugees to Brussels, and F/Lt. B. Lakins (AA.A) brought back 12 Prisoners of War on the return journey. The total number of ex-Prisoners of War now returned to this country by the Squadron is 2219.

25.5.45
Weather. Fine becoming cloudy with slight rain during the evening. Visibility 2-4 miles improving to 5-8 miles.
Operational Flying. 2 Aircraft were detailed for flights over the continent to see the effects of the bombing offensive. 6 Aircraft were detailed for the repatriation of Belgian refugees. 66 persons including a two months old baby were flown to Brussels.
Non-Operational Flying. No other flying was carried out.

26.5.45
Weather. Cloudy with intermittent slight rain, becoming continuous during morning. Intermittent rain during evening.
Operational Flying. 2 Aircraft were engaged on flights for viewing the effects of the bombing offensive. 7 Aircraft were detailed for the repatriation of 71 Belgian refugees. 120 ex Prisoners of War were brought back on the return trips. Flight Lieutenant Lukins was involved in a slight mishap at Brussels and some of the crew were brought back by another aircraft.
Non-Operational Flying. No other flying was carried out.

27.5.45
Weather. Cloudy with slight drizzle early becoming fair in afternoon but cloudy with continuous rain until end of period.
Operational Flying. 2 Aircraft were detailed to view the effects of the bombing offensive.
Non-Operational Flying. Bomb jettisoning practice and Circuits and Landings were carried out.

28.5.45
Weather. Fine with fog forming at 0200 hours, clearing by 0700 hours becoming fair then cloudy.
Operational Flying. 3 Aircraft were detailed for the viewing of the effect of the bombing offensive but this was cancelled.
Non-Operational Flying. Fighter Affiliation and Circuits and Landings were carried out.

29.5.45
Weather. Cloudy, becoming fair in evening.
Non-Operational Flying. Fighter Affiliation and Circuits and Landings were carried out.

30.5.45
Weather. Fair becoming cloudy.
Non-Operational Flying. Air to Air firing. Bombing Practice and Air to Sea Firing were carried out.
Operational Flying. 3 Aircraft were detailed to view of the effects of the Bombing Offensive. (F/O Woodcock (JN’O’) Taking Group Personnel.

31.5.45
Weather. Fair becoming cloudy with occasional showers in the afternoon.
Operational Flying. 4 Aircraft were detailed to view of the effects of the bombing offensive. Command personnel were taken in two of the aircraft.
Non-Operational Flying. Air to Air Firing, Fighter Affiliation and Air to Sea Firing were carried out.

Appointments to Commissions. The undermentioned were commissioned during the month with effect from the date stated against their names.

NZ426229. W/O Urlich, R. – Pilot.   – 25.3.45.        1336483. F/S Hooper, N. – NAV. – 7.3.45.
1800044. SGT. Waite, N. – Pil/F/E. – 29.3.45.         1392219. F/S. Saunders,J.- A/B. – 4.4.45.
NZ4211843. F/S. Reay, W. – Pilot. – 31.3.45.           982650. F/S. Heaton,J. – A/G. – 31.3.45.

Flying Hours.                         Operational                            – 739.20 Hours.
Non-operational                         – 368 Hours.

Monthly total of bombs dropped.                  –           51 tons.
Cumulative total of bombs dropped             – 28,833.4 tons.

Monthly total of food dropped.                           – 228.1 tons.

Number of sorties – 242.

Appendices.
P.O.R.s .
Officers.                                 Airmen.
R.A.F. 44 – 47.                       R.A.F 54 – 58.
R.A.A.F. 48 – 49.                   R.A.A.F. 59.
R.C.A.F. NIL.                          R.C.A.F. 60 – 61.
R.N.Z. A.F. 50 – 53.               R.N.Z. A.F. 62 – 66.

Forms 541 – A191 – 235.

(Sgd.)

Wing Commander, Commanding,

No. 75 (NZ) Squadron. R.A.F.

Continue these records – June 1945