Mepal
1.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Navigational Training and Fighter Affiliation were carried out.
Operational Flying. Ten aircraft were standing by to assist the Allied Armies if necessary, but they were not required.
Administration. NZ427543 P/O R. Cumberpatch and crew arrived on posting from 31 Base.
2.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Navigational Cross Country exercises, Photography tests and Fighter Affiliation were carried out.
Operational Flying. The same ten aircraft as detailed yesterday continued to stand by for the same purpose, but were still not required.
3.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Navigational Training Exercises were carried out.
Operational Flying. Twenty one aircraft we detailed to attack the West Kappelle dyke. Twenty of these were successful in bombing although some crews had to make two or three attempts owing to low cloud base. Bombing was reported to have been fairly good and some flooding was seen. One aircraft had to bring its bombs back owing to a technical failure.
4.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Air tests were carried out.
4/5.10.44
Operational Flying. Five aircraft took off to lay mines in the Kattegat area. They all successfully dropped their mines in the allotted area in good weather. Apart from a little AA fire encountered from Flak ships all crews had an uneventful trip.
5.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Air tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Thirty one aircraft took off as detailed to attack the railway centre at Saarbrucken. They all reached the target area but only fourteen bombed before the Master Bomber issued instructions to abandon the mission. Bombing appeared scattered, and the raid was unsatisfactory. The aircraft captained by NZ 427481 F/Sgt Galletly, A. failed to return.
6.10.44
Operational Flying. Twenty nine aircraft were detailed to attack Dortmund, but one of these was withdrawn owing to a technical failure. Twenty six aircraft attacked the target in good weather and a very accurate and concentrated raid was reported, large fires being left burning. A.A. Fire was moderate but fighters were active and the aircraft captained by NZ427798 F/S Farr, W. had a series of combats during which the enemy aircraft was claimed as being destroyed. One aircraft returned early and landed at Woodbridge owing to a technical failure and another (Captain NZ411048 F/O K. Southward) failed to return.
Administration. NZ413930 F/L Barton, A, NZ425558 F/O Butler, E and NZ412183 F/L Bailey, J and crews arrived on posting from No 31 Base.
7.10.44
Operational Flying. Twenty six aircraft took off as detailed to attack Emmerich in support of the advancing Allied armies. They all bombed the target successfully and a concentrated and accurate raid was reported, the target area being entirely covered with smoke. Moderate heavy A A fire was encountered and a few of our aircraft suffered minor damage.
8.10.44
Operational Flying. Twenty seven aircraft were standing by to attack Forst Reichswald, south west of Cleve in support of the Allied armies, but were not called upon owing to poor weather conditions.
9.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Air tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. The same twenty seven aircraft as detailed yesterday continued to stand by , but were not required.
10.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Air tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Four aircraft were detailed to lay mines in the Kattegat area, but the operation was cancelled.
11.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Navigational training was carried out.
Operational Flying. Sixteen aircraft were detailed to attack Bonn, but this operation was cancelled.
12.10.44
Administration. NZ427062 F/S Leadley, D and NZ427055 P/O A. Simpson, and crews arrived on posting from No 31 Base.
13.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Formation flying, Navigational Cross Country exercises and local flying was carried out.
14.10.44
Operational Flying. Thirty one aircraft took off at dawn to attack Duisburg. Except for one aircraft which returned early, they all dropped their bombs in the built up areas of the town, which was identified visually and with the aid of markers. A moderate heavy A A barrage was encountered from the target area and a few of our aircraft suffered minor damage. One aircraft was damaged in the bomb bay which necessitated it landing at Woodbridge on return
14/15.10.44
Operational Flying. Twenty nine aircraft were detailed to make a further attack on Duisburg, unfortunately, however, three aircraft had to be withdrawn. One aircraft returned early owing to the rear turret being unserviceable. The remaining twenty five aircraft took part in a very successful attack in excellent visibility and large fires were seen to break out and add to those already burning from the morning attack. AA opposition was negligible and searchlight did not operate until late in the raid. One aircraft had an inconclusive combat with an enemy fighter.
15/16.10.44
Operational Flying. Five aircraft took off as detailed to lay mines in the Kattegat area. All of these were successful in dropping their mines in the allotted positions, without incident.
16.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Navigational Cross Country exercises Fighter affiliation and air tests were carried out.
17.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Navigational training and air tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Sixteen aircraft were detailed to attack Bonn, but the operation was cancelled just prior to the time of take off.
18.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Air tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. The same sixteen aircraft were again detailed to attack Bonn and this time they were able to carry out the operation. For the first time the aircraft attacked flying in formation. Some moderate heavy A A fire was met over the target, but no fighter opposition was encountered.
In addition to the above eleven aircraft were detailed to attack Essen, but this operation was cancelled.
19/20.10.44
Operational Flying. Twenty eight aircraft were detailed to attack Stuttgart. The attack was in two waves. Thirteen aircraft took part in the first wave and successfully dropped their bombs with the aid of markers and flares, in weather conditions of 9/10ths cloud. A.A. opposition was moderate and a few enemy aircraft were active. Fifteen aircraft took part in the second wave five hours later and they all dropped their bombs with the aid of flares through ten tenths cloud. The glow of fires seen, indicated that the fires were concentrated around the aiming point. A A opposition was less than that encountered during the first wave, but more enemy fighters were active. Four of our aircraft had inconclusive combats.
20.10.44
Administration. NZ391390 F/L W. Wakelin, NZ421919 F/O M. Kilpatrick, NZ425292 P/O D. Sadgrove and NZ426024 F/S Williams, D. and crews arrived on posting from 31 Base.
21.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Cross country exercises and practice bombing were carried out.
Operational Flying. Twenty five aircraft took off to attack Flushing. All crews were able to identify the target visually and bombing was reported as being very accurate. A.A. opposition was moderate. One aircraft (Captain 176437 F/O J. Johnson) failed to return, but was seen to be shot down over the target by heavy A A fire.
22.10.44
Operational Flying. Twenty seven aircraft were detailed to attack Essen, but this operation was cancelled and nine aircraft were detailed to attack Neuss. Eight attacked the target through ten tenths cloud, but results were unsatisfactory. One aircraft attacked Munchen Gladbach being unable to reach the primary target on time.
23.10.44
Operational Flying. Twenty seven aircraft took off as detailed to attack Essen. Ten tenths cloud prevailed over the target but all aircraft were successful in attacking with the aid of marker flares. A A opposition was moderate but no enemy fighters were seen.
24.10.44
Operational Flying. Twenty three aircraft were detailed to attack Essen, but the operation was cancelled owing to adverse weather at Base.
25.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Cross country flights and practice high level bombing were carried out.
Operational Flying. Twenty six aircraft took off as detailed to attack Essen. Twenty three of these attacked the target and bombing was good, built up areas and factories being identified visually. One aircraft brought its bombs back owing to the failure of the bombing equipment when over the target and two other aircraft returned early owing to technical failures.
26.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Air tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Ten aircraft were detailed to attack Leverkusen. They all bombed the target in formation and a successful raid was reported. A.A. opposition was very slight.
27.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Fighter affiliation, practice bombing and air tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Twenty three aircraft were detailed for an attack on Hanover, but this operation was later cancelled on account of the weather.
28.10.44
Operational Flying. Thirteen aircraft took off as detailed to attack Flushing. The weather was good and bombing was considered to be very accurate. One large explosion was seen at the end of the raid. Opposition from A.A. fire was slight but a few of our aircraft suffered minor damage.
Seven aircraft took off a few hours later to participate in an attack on Cologne. They all bombed in clear weather and identified the target visually. Bombing was concentrated and a large smoke pall was seen on leaving. A.A. opposition was moderate, but no enemy fighters were seen.
Fourteen aircraft were standing by to make a second attack on Flushing but this operation was postponed owing to weather conditions.
29.10.44
Non-Operational Flying. Air tests were carried out.
Operational Flying. Fourteen aircraft took off to attack a target at West Kappelle. They all bombed as instructed by the Master Bomber and bombing was reported as concentrated, although it was thought to be slightly away from the correct aiming point. No opposition was encountered.
30.10.44
Operational Flying. Six aircraft took off to attack a target at Wesselling. Bombing was reported as being rather scattered. A.A. opposition was moderate to intense, but only one aircraft suffered damage.
Twenty one aircraft were detailed to attack Cologne during daylight, but the operation was postponed until the evening. All aircraft attacked the target and although a good concentration of markers was achieved results were unobserved owing to ten tenths cloud. Moderate A.A. opposition was encountered and one aircraft received slight damage. There was no fighter opposition.
31.10.44
Operational Flying. Six aircraft took off as detailed to attack a target at Bottrop. they all attacked the target in formation and a fairly concentrated raid was achieved. A.A. fire over the target was intense but all of our aircraft returned safely.
Eighteen aircraft took off in the evening to make a further attack on Cologne. Ten tenths cloud prevailed over the target area, but markers were well placed and a good glow from fires beneath the clouds was observed on leaving. A.A. opposition was slight and no enemy fighters were seen.
Daily Weather Details.
1.10.44 Fair to fine. Visibility 8 – 15 miles, generally.
2.10.44 Fine becoming cloudy. Visibility 6 – 15 miles.
3.10.44 Rain at first becoming fair. Visibility 8 – 15 miles.
4.10.44 Cloudy with occasional showers. Visibility 10 – 15 miles.
5.10.44 Fair to fine. Visibility 10 – 20 miles generally.
6.10.44 Fair at first becoming fine. Visibility generally 6 – 15 miles.
7.10.44 Cloudy. Visibility 6 – 10 miles, deteriorating later.
8.10.44 Fog at first then cloudy. Visibility poor at first, improving to 5 – 10 miles.
9.10.44 Cloudy, with slight drizzle early in period. Visibility 6 – 15 miles generally.
10.10.44 Cloudy. Visibility 3 – 4 miles improving to 8 – 12 miles, and deteriorating after dusk.
11.10.44 Cloudy, with rain in early afternoon. Visibility 4 – 8 miles.
12.10.44 Fair at first, continuous slight rain from mid-day to late afternoon. Visibility generally 6 miles.
13.10.44 Fair at first, rain developing during afternoon. Visibility 6 – 12 miles.
14.10.44 Fair. Visibility over 10 miles.
15.10.44 Fair at first becoming cloudy. Visibility generally 5 – 10 miles.
16.10.44 Fog at first becoming cloudy with continuous rain. Visibility 2 – 3 miles improving to 10 – 12 miles.
17.10.44 Cloudy with slight rain. Visibility 5 – 10 miles.
18.10.44 Fair at first becoming cloudy with slight intermittent rain. Visibility 6 – 20 miles.
19.10.44 Cloudy with intermittent rain at night. Visibility 6 – 8 miles, generally.
20.10.44 Cloudy with rain later. Visibility 4 – 8 miles.
21.10.44 Fog until mid-day, then becoming cloudy. Visibility 2 – 4,000 yards, but 500 – 1,000 yards in fog.
22.10.44 Fog with rain, then becoming cloudy. Visibility poor, improving to 5 – 10 miles.
23.10.44 Cloudy with occasional slight rain. Visibility 3,000 yards at first. At mid-day improving to 3 miles.
24.10.44 Cloudy with slight rain. Visibility 4 – 8 miles generally.
25.10.44 Foggy until mid-day, then becoming cloudy. Visibility 5 – 10 miles generally.
26.10.44 Foggy at first becoming fair. Visibility poor.
27.10.44 Foggy at first with continuous slight rain, becoming fair. Visibility poor at first, improving to 10 miles.
28.10.44 Cloudy with intermittent rain. Visibility 2 – 5 miles.
29.10.44 Cloudy at first, improving to fair, and then intermittent rain. Visibility generally 8 – 15 miles.
30.10.44 Fair to fine. Visibility 15 – 20 miles.
31.10.44 Cloudy. Visibility 6 – 10 miles generally.
SUMMARY OF EVENTS.
Operational Flying. During this month a total of 399 sorties have been flown. Targets attacked have been in Germany and the occupied territories. In addition mines have been laid in the Kattegat area on two occasions.
From these operations three aircraft have failed to return.
Non-Operational Flying. Heavy operational commitments have restricted non-operational flying, but all types of training have been carried out whenever possible.
Awards. The following awards have been granted during this month:-
Distinguished Flying Cross:- 128387 F/O B. Melville-Smith
48590 A/F/L L. Sims.
115790 A/F/L W. McAlpine
743086 W/O C. Newark
NZ415255 F/O R. Wisker.
Monthly Totals of Flying Hours :- Operational: 1,637.40
Non-Operational: 105.15
Operational Sorties: Cumulative total from 1.1.44 :- 2,649
Monthly total :- 399
Cumulative Total of Bombs and Mines dropped :- 21,636 tons
Monthly Total of Bombs dropped :- 2,041 tons
Monthly Total of Mines dropped :- 42 tons
APPENDIX.
Copies of Personnel Occurrence Reports issued during October, 1944. No.10
[Signed R. J. A. Leslie]
Wing Commander, Commanding,
NO. 75(NZ) SQUADRON, R.A.F.
Continue these records – November 1944
75(nz)squadron 