Back L-R: F/S Roy Young (air bomber), Sgt W.J. Todd (flight engineer), Sgt Frederick Hulbert (mid-upper gunner), Sgt S. Bellis (rear gunner).
Front L-R: P/O Eric McNamara (wireless operator), S/L Richard Berney (skipper and Flight Commander), F/O Murray Fearon (navigator).
S/L Berney took over the crew after their original skipper, F/Sgt Francis Turner, was hospitalised with pneumonia in March 1944.
NZ Bomber Command Assn archives, Murray Fearon collection)
10/05/1944 – Attack Against Courtrai
Twenty three aircraft successfully bombed the marshalling yards at Courtrai. A concentrated attack was made with very slight opposition. One aircraft (Captain NZ413043 A/S/L. L. Drummond) was hit by A.A. Fire on the return journey and the Captain received slight injuries.
Lancaster Mk.I ME690 AA-Z
F/O Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. C. Wheeler, RAFVR 917111 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 22:00 – Landed 01:00
Flight Time 03:00
11/05/1944 – Attack Against Louvain
Twenty-four aircraft, representing the largest number of Lancaster aircraft so far detailed by this Squadron, were despatched to attack the marshalling yards at Louvain. Twenty-three aircraft successfully attacked in good weather. One aircraft (Captain NZ414591 A/F/L. S. Clark) claimed a JU 88 destroyed in combat over the North Sea. Another aircraft (Captain 151118 A/F/L. D. Warren) failed to return.
Lancaster Mk.I ME691 AA-R
F/O Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 22:45 – Landed 02:05
Flight Time 03:20
19/05/1944 – Attack Against Le Mans
Twenty for aircraft successfully bombed the marshalling yards at Le Mans. Good results being reported.
Lancaster Mk.III ND782 AA-U
F/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 22:25 – Landed 03:20
Flight Time 04:55
21/05/1944 – Attack Against Duisberg
Twenty five aircraft took off to attack Duisburg, of which twenty one attacked the primary target. Three returned early with various technical failures and one failed to return (Captain NZ421803 P/O. W. Willis). Another aircraft (Captain AUS413157 P/O. A. Humphreys) was attacked by an enemy fighter and the navigator 1438903 F/Sgt. Hill, A. was injured, the aircraft also being damaged.
Lancaster Mk.III ND782 AA-U
F/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 22:50 – Landed 02:50
Flight Time 04:00
22/05/1944 – Attack Against Dortmund
Twenty three aircraft were detailed to attack Dortmund of which eighteen completed their mission successfully. Three aircraft returned early and two failed to return (Captains NZ417016 P/O. E. Burke and NZ42354 P/O. C. Armstrong). The raid was well concentrated and carried out in good weather with excellent visibility. One aircraft had an inconclusive combat with a JU 88. Otherwise the operation was uneventful.
Lancaster Mk.III ND782 AA-U
F/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 22:45 – Landed 02:55
Flight Time 04:10
24/05/1944 – Attack Against Aachen
Thirteen aircraft were detailed to attack Aachen and eleven to attack a target at Boulogne. They all were successful in attacking their respective targets and good concentrated bombing was reported. Two aircraft attacking Aachen had combats with enemy aircraft, NZ40750 F/L. R. Berney claiming the destruction of an enemy night fighter and 170664 P/O. T. Buckley claimed strikes on a F.W. 190. There was no opposition from the Boulogne target.
Lancaster Mk.III ND915 AA-A
Combat reported
F/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 00:20 – Landed 03:35
Flight Time 03:15
27/05/1944 – Attack Against Aachen
Eighteen aircraft were detailed to attack Aachen, one of which returned early and two failed to return (Captains NZ414971 F/L. S. Fauvel and NZ421105 Sgt. Scott, F.). The remaining fifteen successfully bombed the target in clear weather, one aircraft (Captain NZ40750 F/L. R. Berney) had five successive inconclusive combats with an ME 410 in the Courtrai area.
Lancaster Mk.III ND915 AA-A
F/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 00:32 – Landed 04:20
Flight Time 03:48
28/05/1944 – Attack Against Angers
Twenty two aircraft were detailed to attack the marshalling yards at Angers. Six of these were withdrawn, two returned early with engine trouble, but the remaining fourteen aircraft successfully bombed the target in good weather. A good concentrated attack was reported, and opposition was only slight.
Lancaster Mk.III ND915 AA-A
F/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 18:35 – Landed 02:15
Flight Time 07:40
31/05/1944 – Attack Against Trappes
Twenty four aircraft were despatched to attack the marshalling yards at Trappes. One was withdrawn and another returned early through technical trouble. The remainder, however, bombed in good visibility, reporting an accurate attack. One aircraft (Captain NZ422098 P/O. L. Bonisch) had a combat with an enemy aircraft which was seen to be shot down by another of our aircraft.
Lancaster Mk.III ND914 AA-H
F/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 00:08 – Landed 04:38
Flight Time 04:30
11/06/1944 – Attack Against Nantes
Seventeen aircraft were detailed to attack a military target at Nantes. All aircraft successfully bombing the target. Large fires and explosions were reported. Intense light A.A. Fire was encountered in the target area. the aircraft captained by NZ421072 P/O. C. McCardle, shortly after leaving the target area, was damaged by what is now thought to have been a light A.A. Shell exploding in the cockpit. The Captain received severe injuries and the Flight Engineer Sgt. Benfold, R., superficial injuries. The Air Bomber, AUS410489 W/O. Hurse, A. took over the controls, and with the assistance of the Navigator NZ4310159 F/O. A. Zillwood, brought the aircraft safely back to this country, where a perfect landing was executed.
Lancaster Mk.III NE148 AA-H
F/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 23:55 – Landed 05:10
Flight Time 05:15
12/06/1944 – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen
Fifteen aircraft were detailed to attack Gelsenkirchen and all took part in a very concentrated raid, A.A. Fire not being so intense as expected. Although enemy fighters were active, no combats took place with our aircraft.
Lancaster Mk.III NE148 AA-H
F/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 23:30 – Landed 03:10
Flight Time 03:40
14/06/1944 – Attack Against Le Havre
Twenty six aircraft were detailed to attack shipping in the port area of Le Havre. Twenty five aircraft attacked and a very concentrated and accurate raid resulted. Fires from an earlier attack were still burning when our aircraft were over the target. One aircraft returned early owing to engine trouble. Opposition was slight.
Lancaster Mk.III ME148 AA-H
F/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 23:55 – Landed 02:40
Flight Time 02:45
23/06/1944 – Attack Against L’Hey
Twenty aircraft were detailed to attack the constructional works at L’Hey. All crews bombed on instructions from the Master bomber, and the glow of fires seen through clouds indicated a concentrated raid. Opposition was very slight, although one aircraft had an inconclusive combat with two enemy fighters.
Lancaster Mk.III PB132 AA-Y
S/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 23:10 – Landed 01:05
Flight Time 01:55
27/06/1944 – Attack Against Biennais
Fifteen aircraft took off to attack the constructional works supply site at Biennais. All aircraft bombed through ten-tenths cloud with the aid of markers and no opposition from the ground was encountered. One aircraft had an inconclusive combat with an enemy aircraft.
Lancaster Mk.III PB132 AA-Y
S/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/S Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 23:55 – Landed 02:30
Flight Time 02:35
02/07/1944 – Daylight Attack Against Beauvoir
Twenty three out of twenty four aircraft detailed took off in daylight to attack the construction works supply site at Beauvoir. All aircraft successfully bombed the target and a concentrated raid developed. Opposition from A.A. fire was slight.
Lancaster Mk.I LM104 JN-K
S/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
F/L Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 12:55 – Landed 16:05
Flight Time 03:10
09/07/1944 – Attack Against Linzeux
The twenty five aircraft detailed on the previous day took off to attack the constructional works site at Linzeux in daylight. All aircraft bombed through cloud, using navigational aids. A.A. fire opposition was reported as slight, although one aircraft suffered considerable damage when over the target. There was no opposition from enemy fighters.
Lancaster Mk.III ND756 AA-M
S/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/O Murray Charles Fearon, RNZAF NZ425190 – Navigator.
F/S Roy John Robert Young, RNZAF NZ425410 – Air Bomber.
P/O Eric Stephen McNamara, RNZAF NZ417220 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Todd, RAFVR 546595 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. F. Hulbert, RAFVR 1570894 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S S. Bellis, RAFVR 2215940 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 12:40 – Landed 16:00
Flight Time 03:20
12/07/1944 – Attack Against Vaires
The same twenty five aircraft detailed earlier took off to attack the Vaires marshalling yard in daylight. All aircraft reached the target area, but only two identified the marshalling yard and bombed as ordered. The remaining crews abandoned their mission as instructed by the Master Bomber, and brought their bombs back to base, owing to 10/10ths cloud obscuring the target. Considerable heavy A.A. fire was encountered, but all aircraft returned safely.
Lancaster Mk.III ND752 AA-O
S/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/S Colin Frederick Johnson Greig, RNZAF NZ422281 – Navigator.
F/S Ronald Howard Spencer, RAFVR 1575186 – Air Bomber.
F/S Frederick Walter Percival Climo, RNZAF NZ4210148 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. W. J. Hyde, RAFVR 1895228 – Flight Engineer.
F/S Frederick Francis Arthur Jenkins, RNZAF NZ429888 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/L William Edward McAlpine, RAFVR 115790 – Rear Gunner (Gunnery Leader).
Take Off 18:05 – Landed 22:00
Flight Time 03:55
17/07/1944 – Attack Against Vaires
The twenty seven aircraft previously detailed took off to attack the Vaires marshalling yard in daylight, but the aircraft were recalled shortly after setting course. On landing they were re-fuelled and kept standing by to attack a tactical target.
Lancaster Mk.I HK564 dnc AA-P
S/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/S Cyril Desmond Mulcahy, RNZAF NZ426783 – 2nd Pilot.
F/O Whelan Fallon Hazard, RNZAF NZ429047 – Navigator.
F/S Edward Leonard Thomson, RNZAF NZ4211036 – Air Bomber.
F/S William Elvin, RNZAF NZ426883 – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. Robert Ronald Smithie Parker, RAFVR 1892552 – Flight Engineer.
F/S Haig Douglas Johnston, RNZAF NZ426320 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S John Herbert Wright, RNZAF NZ426209 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 12:20 – Landed 14:00
Flight Time 01:40
18/07/1944 – Attack Against Cagny
Twenty eight aircraft took off, as detailed, to make a dawn attack on the village of Cagny, in Northern France where the enemy had large concentrations of armour and troops situated. This attack was in direct support of the Allied 2nd Army, and all crews were successful in bombing the target with the aid of markers and a very concentrated raid was reported. Moderate A.A. fire was encountered, but only one of our aircraft suffered damage, this was captained by NZ421549 F/S. Moriarty, D. who was injured on the scalp and left eye, by fragments of perspex or shell splinters caused by an A.A. shell which exploded in the cockpit. In spite of his serious injuries, F/Sgt. Moriarty safely flew his aircraft back to base.
Lancaster Mk.I HK564 AA-P
S/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/S Cyril Desmond Mulcahy, RNZAF NZ426783 – 2nd Pilot.
F/S Whelan Fallon Hazard, RNZAF NZ429047 – Navigator.
F/O Edward Leonard Thomson, RNZAF NZ4211036 – Air Bomber.
F/S William Elvin, RNZAF NZ426883 – Wireless Operator .
F/S Robert Ronald Smithie Parker, RAFVR 1892552 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Haig Douglas Johnston, RNZAF NZ426320 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S John Herbert Wright, RNZAF NZ426209 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 04:45 – Landed 07:40
Flight Time 02:55
23/07/1944 – Attack Against Kiel
Twenty aircraft took off as detailed to attack Kiel, and all successfully bombed the target. A concentrated raid was reported and the glow of fires could be seen from the Danish west coast on return. A moderate A.A. barrage was met and two aircraft had combats with enemy fighters.
Lancaster Mk.I HK574 AA-R “Rio Rita”
S/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/S Thomas Patrick Monaghan, RNZAF NZ428976 – Navigator.
F/O Ian Douglas Ward, RNZAF NZ429226 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Alan ‘Tex’ Teverson, RAFVR – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. Adam ‘Scotty’ Scott, RAFVR – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Alfred ‘Alfie’ Williams, RAFVR – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S David Rayner Fox, RNZAF NZ426065 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 22:50 – Landed 04:10
Flight Time 05:20
25/07/1944 – Attack Against Stuttgart
Fourteen aircraft took off to attack Stuttgart, only ten however, were successful, and they reported a concentrated raid to be developing, with many fires and explosions. Heavy A.A. fire was only slight in the target area, but enemy fighters were again active. Two aircraft had combats and one, captained by NZ425948 F/S. Smith, M. claimed a FW190 destroyed. On return two aircraft landed at Ford, one due to engine trouble and the other owing to damage to the petrol tank and rear turret by heavy A.A. fire. Of the four abortive sorties, one aircraft jettisoned after its starboard inner engine had caught fire when in combat, another failed to see any markers when over the target, and brought its bombs back, and the other two returned early owing to severe icing.
Lancaster Mk.I HK574 AA-R “Rio Rita”
S/L Richard Bruce Berney, RNZAF NZ40750 – Pilot.
F/S Thomas Patrick Monaghan, RNZAF NZ428976 – Navigator.
F/O Ian Douglas Ward, RNZAF NZ429226 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Alan ‘Tex’ Teverson, RAFVR – Wireless Operator .
Sgt. Adam ‘Scotty’ Scott, RAFVR – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Alfred ‘Alfie’ Williams, RAFVR – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S David Rayner Fox, RNZAF NZ426065 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 21:50 – Landed 05:58
Flight Time 08:08
75(nz)squadron 