Reformed, 15 March 1937 [From B Flight 215 Squadron RAF]
Renamed, 1 April 1940 as No 75 [NZ] Squadron RAF
CO ‘s
S/L, H. E. Rough. RAF, 15 March 1937 to October 1937
DFC,
W/C, K. E. Ward. RAF, October 1937 to September 1938
W/C, E. S. Goodwin, RAF, September 1938 to November 1938
DFC, AFC,
W/C, D. D’A. A. Greg. RAF, November 1938 to April 1940
DFC, AFC,
BASES
Driffield, Yorkshire, 15 March 1937 to July 1938
Honington, Suffolk, July 1938 to July 1939
Stradishall, Suffolk, July 1939 to September 1939
Hartwell, Berkshire, September 1939 to April 1940
AIRCRAFT TYPES
Vickers Virginia March 1937 to August 1937
Avro Anson Mk 1 March 1937 to November 1939
H P Harrow Mk 1 & 11 September 1937 to September 1939
Wellington Mk 1 September 1939 to April 1940
Anson Mk 1 , Virginia Mk X at Driffield
Anson Mk 1 , Harrow Mk 1 & 11 at Honington
Anson Mk 1 , Wellington Mk 1 at Stradishall
Anson Mk 1 , Wellington Mk 1 at Harwell
ROLE
Bomber OTU March 1937 to April 1940
[Operational Training Unit]
CODE LETTERS
FO October 1938 to September 1939
Aircraft known to have flown on the Squadron
VICKERS VIRGINIA Mk X
K 6272
AVRO ANSON Mk 1
K 6297
K 6299
K 6322 Crashed near Driffield, York, 20 October 1937
N 5017
N 5019
H P HARROW Mk 1 & 11
K 6936
K 6938
K 6947 p
K 6953
K 6963
K 6992
K 7002
WELLINGTON Mk 1
L 4256
L 4322
L 4369
L 4371 Mk 1 Crashed at Hartwell Oxfordshire. 10 January 1940
The squadron was re-formed in 1937 as a heavy bomber squadron, but in March 1939, it became a Group pool squadron or, in other words, assumed the role of what was later known as an operational training unit.
Soon after the outbreak of war the squadron was posted to No.6 (Training) Group and on 4th April 1940, its number plate, with the letters "NZ" added, was transferred to a Royal New Zealand Air Force heavy bomber flight which was based at Feltwell, Norfolk, a station in No. 3 Group.
Equipped with Wellingtons, No. 75 (NZ) Squadron of the RAF - the first Commonwealth squadron to be formed in Bomber Command - took part in the early bombing offensive against enemy-occupied territories.
While returning from a raid on Munster on 7/8th July 1941, one of its aircrew, Sergeant Pilot JR Ward, RNZAF, won the Victoria Cross.
Heavier bombers, based in the United Kingdom, were also operating over the battle area from the beginning of the campaign.
Their first attack was launched on the night of 10 May 1940, against the important Dutch airfield at Waalhaven, near Rotterdam, and three Wellingtons from No. 75 [NZ] Squadron were among the 36 aircraft detailed.
Crews reported hits on buildings as well as on the aerodrome itself. During the next four days and nights, New Zealand airmen were among the crews of the small formations of Blenheims and Wellingtons which flew from England to attack enemy columns, bridges and road junctions,
Wellingtons from No. 75 [NZ] Squadron operating on two nights against such targets without loss.
But the bombing attacks were insufficient to hinder the rapid advance of the enemy.
There was some disagreement at this time as to whether the heavier bombers should be employed in a strategic or tactical role, but eventually, the critical situation which developed in the north forced their employment more in close-support operations during the remainder of the campaign.
At first, Wellingtons from No. 75 [NZ] Squadron carried out each type of operation.
On the night of 15 May, six of these aircraft formed part of the force which made the first bombing raid on objectives in Germany.
It was aimed primarily at oil plants in the Ruhr, but unfortunately, bad visibility prevented the majority of the bombers from identifying and attacking these installations.
Two nights later the squadron again provided six aircraft, this time as part of a force of 50 bombers detailed to attack objectives in the Ruhr and river crossings at Namur, Dinant and Givet.
Again cloud rendered recognition of the targets uncertain, although the six Wellingtons were among the aircraft which reported having made attacks.
For the rest of the month, the majority of the 43 sorties dispatched by No. 75 Squadron were, along with the general effort of Bomber Command, in support of the hard-pressed ground forces.
On the night of 19 May 1940, one of the objectives was the forests around Fumay and Bouillon where the enemy had concentrated fuel and ammunition supplies.
Eleven Wellingtons, seven of them from the [NZ] Squadron, were given the task of setting these forests alight.
All the crews located the target and, attacking with both incendiaries and high explosives, succeeded in starting many fires.
There was considerable opposition from anti-aircraft batteries in the target area and many of the bombers were hit; one Wellington from No. 75 [NZ] Squadron had a shell pass right through it without exploding. All returned safely.
Subsequent targets for the bombers included the Meuse crossings, railway and road junctions, bridges, troop concentrations and points of congestion close behind the enemy lines.
Similar objectives in the North were also bombed by units of Coastal Command based in south-east England, with which a small group of New Zealand airmen were flying.
From the commencement of the campaign these squadrons had been called upon to supplement the operations of the other commands against the enemy's advances in Holland and Belgium.
They were also employed in protecting supply ships crossing the Channel.
Dunkirk, from 26 May to 4 June 1940: Throughout these grim and desperate days Bomber Command Wellingtons and Blenheims gave valuable assistance to the ground forces striving to prevent the enemy from reaching the beaches.
No. 75 [NZ] Squadron made nine attacks and crews reported good results on each occasion.
with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner
