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New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force (Vol. II)

Appendix III — NOTES ON THE NEW ZEALAND SQUADRONS

page 456

Appendix III
NOTES ON THE NEW ZEALAND SQUADRONS

No. 75 Squadron

Squadron Motto: Ake Ake Kia Kaha (For ever and ever be strong).

Date and Place of Formation: 1 April 1940 – Feltwell, Norfolk.

(A New Zealand Flight had been established at Marham, Norfolk, in June 1939 to ferry Wellingtons to New Zealand.)

Squadron Commanders:

Wg Cdr M. W. Buckley April 1940 to November 1940
Wg Cdr C. E. Kay November 1940 to September 1941
Wg Cdr R. Sawrey-Cookson September 1941 to April 1942
Wg Cdr E. H. Olson April 1942 to July 1942
Wg Cdr V. Mitchell July 1942 to December 1942
Wg Cdr G. A. Lane January 1943 to May 1943
Wg Cdr M. Wyatt May 1943 to August 1943
Wg Cdr R. D. Max August 1943 to May 1944
Wg Cdr R. J. A. Leslie May 1944 to December 1944
Wg Cdr R. J. Newton December 1944 to January 1945
Wg Cdr C. H. Baigent January 1945 to September 1945

Bases:

Feltwell, Norfolk April 1940 to August 1942
Mildenhall, Suffolk August 1942 to November 1942
Newmarket, Suffolk November 1942 to June 1943
Mepal, Cambridgeshire June 1943 to July 1945
Spilsby, Lincolnshire July 1945 to October 1945

Role:

From formation until the end of hostilities in Europe, No. 75 Squadron operated as a heavy bomber unit of RAF Bomber Command. Equipped with Wellingtons, it took part in the early bombing offensive against Germany, Italy, and enemy-occupied territory. It also flew in the first thousand-bomber raids. Towards the end of 1942 the New Zealand Squadron converted to Stirlings and thereafter made a significant contribution to the Battle of the Ruhr, the devastation of Hamburg, and the famous raid against the German V-weapon experimental station at Peenemunde. In March 1944 No. 75 began to exchange its Stirlings for Lancasters and was ready in time to participate in preparation and support of the Allied invasion, the bombing of flying-bomb sites, and close support of the armies. In the later stages of the war the squadron took a leading part in the offensive against German oil production and transport. No. 75 was also one of the foremost units in Bomber Command's successful minelaying campaign.

page 457

First Operation:

27 March 1940 Three Wellingtons dropped leaflets on Brunswick, Ulzen, and Luneburg.

Last Operations:

Last bombing raid: 24 April 1945 Nineteen Lancasters bombed marshalling yards at Bad Oldesloe.
Last war mission: 26 May 1945 Seven Lancasters flew to Brussels with 71 Belgian repatriates. 120 ex-PWs were brought back on the return flight.

Disbanded: 15 October 1945

Effort and Achievements:

No. 75 Squadron flew 8150 sorties, totalling 41,247 hours, during which 21,630 tons of bombs and 2344 mines were dropped. A total of 45 enemy fighters was almost certainly destroyed.

Decorations won by New Zealand members of the squadron included:

Victoria Cross 1 Distinguished Flying Cross 88
Distinguished Service Order 6 Distinguished Flying Medal 17
Bar to DFC 4 Conspicuous Gallantry Medal 2

No. 485 Squadron

Squadron Motto: Ka whawhai tonu (We will fight on).

Date and Place of Formation: 1 March 1941 – Driffield, Yorkshire.

Commanding Officers:

Sqn Ldr M. W. B. Knight April 1941 to November 1941
Sqn Ldr E. P. Wells November 1941 to May 1942
Sqn Ldr R. J. C. Grant May 1942 to March 1943
Sqn Ldr R. W. Baker March 1943 to June 1943
Sqn Ldr J. M. Checketts July 1943 to September 1943
Sqn Ldr M. R. D. Hume September 1943 to February 1944
Sqn Ldr J. B. Niven February 1944 to September 1944
Sqn Ldr J. G. Pattison September 1944 to February 1945
Sqn Ldr K. J. Macdonald February 1945 to July 1945
Sqn Ldr S. F. Browne July 1945 to August 1945

Bases:

Driffield, Yorkshire March 1941 to April 1941
Leconfield, Yorkshire April 1941 to June 1941
Redhill, Surrey July 1941 to October 1941
Kenley, Surrey October 1941 to July 1942
King's Cliffe, Northants July 1942 to January 1943
Westhampnett, Sussex January 1943 to May 1943
Merston, Sussex May 1943 to June 1943
Biggin Hill, Kent July 1943 to October 1943
Hornchurch, Essex October 1943 to November 1943
Drem, East Lothian November 1943 to February 1944
135 Airfield, Hornchurch, Essex February 1944 to April 1944
ALG Selsey, Sussex April 1944 to June 1944
ALG Coolham (near Billinghurst, Sussex) June 1944 to July 1944page 458
ALG Funtingdon, Sussex July 1944 to August 1944
ALG Selsey, Sussex August 1944
Caen-Carpiquet, France August 1944 to September 1944
Reume, France September 1944
Merville, France September 1944 to October 1944
Maldegem, Belgium November 1944 to January 1945
Gilze Rijen, Holland January 1945 to February 1945
Predannack, Cornwall February 1945 to April 1945
Twente, Holland April 1945
Drope, Germany April 1945–

Role:

Equipped with Spitfires, No. 485 was a day-fighter squadron until March 1944 when it transferred to fighter bombing. Operated from England, based at some of the most famous fighter stations, until August 1944 when it moved to the Continent. There it flew in the fighter and fighter-bomber role with Second Tactical Air Force.

First Operation:

12 April 1941 Convoy patrol off Flamborough Head shared by six sections of two Spitfires.

Last Operation:

7 May 1945 Patrol over Oldenburg by twelve aircraft.

Disbanded: 26 August 1945

Effort and Achievements:

No. 485 Squadron flew 10,717 sorties, totalling 14,494 hours. In combat 63 enemy aircraft were destroyed, 25 probably destroyed, and 32 damaged. During the short period that the squadron was employed against ground targets pllots destroyed some 70 motor vehicles and blew up 5 railway engines.

Decorations won by New Zealanders with the squadron were:

Distinguished Service Order 2 Distinguished Flying Cross 17
Bar to DFC 5 Distinguished Flying Medal 1

No. 486 Squadron

Squadron Motto: Hiwa hau Maka (Beware of the wild winds).

Date and Place of Formation: 7 March 1942 – Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire.

Commanding Officers:

Sqn Ldr C. L. C. Roberts March 1942 to March 1943
Sqn Ldr D. J. Scott April 1943 to September 1943
Sqn Ldr I. D. Waddy September 1943 to January 1944
Sqn Ldr J. H. Iremonger January 1944 to December 1944
Sqn Ldr A. E. Umbers December 1944 to February 1945
Sqn Ldr K. G. Taylor-Cannon February 1945 to April 1945
Sqn Ldr W. E. Schrader April 1945 to May 1945
Sqn Ldr C. J. Sheddan May 1945 to September 1945
page 459

Bases:

Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire March 1942 to April 1942
Wittering, Northants April 1942 to September 1942
North Weald, Essex September 1942 to October 1942
West Malling, Kent October 1942
Tangmere, Sussex October 1942 to January 1944
Beaulieu, Hampshire January 1944 to February 1944
149 Airfield, Castle Camps, Cambridgeshire March 1944 to April 1944
Newchurch, Kent April 1944 to September 1944
Volkel, Holland October 1944 to April 1945
Hopsten, Germany April 1945
Fassberg, Germany April 1945 to May 1945
Celle, Germany May 1945
Copenhagen, Denmark May 1945 to July 1945
Lubeck, Germany July 1945 to September 1945

Role:

No. 486 began as a night-fighter squadron equipped with Hurricane aircraft. Re-equipped with Typhoons in September 1942, was prominent in south coast defence against sneak raiders until June 1943. Then flew mainly as fighter-bombers until February 1944. Re-equipped with Tempests in April and after D Day took a prominent part in defence against flying bombs. After moving to the Continent in September the squadron was employed on standing patrols and armed reconnaissance over Holland and Germany with Second Tactical Air Force

First Operation:

27 April 1942 Dawn convoy patrol off the East Coast by two Hurricanes.

Last Operation

4 May 1945 Armed reconnaissance of Kiel area by four Tempests.

Disbanded: 12 October 1945

Effort and Achievements:

No. 486 Squadron flew 11,019 sorties totalling 13,350 hours. In combat 81 enemy machines were destroyed, 5 probably destroyed, and 22 damaged. Pilots also accounted for 223 flying bombs. In attacks on ground targets 323 motor vehicles and 14 railway engines were destroyed, while 16 ships were almost certainly sunk in port or at sea.

Decorations won by New Zealanders with the squadron were:

Distinguished Service Order 1 Distinguished Flying Cross 20
Bar to DFC 2

No. 487 Squadron

Squadron Motto: Ki te Mutunga (Through to the end).

Date and Place of Formation: 15 August 1942 – Feltwell, Norfolk.

Commanding Officers:

Wg Cdr F. C. Seavill August 1942 to December 1942
Wg Cdr G. J. Grindell December 1942 to May 1943
Wg Cdr A. G. Wilson May 1943 to January 1944
Wg Cdr I. S. Smith February 1944 to August 1944
Wg Cdr R. C. Porteous August 1944 to December 1944
Wg Cdr R. W. Baker January 1945 to February 1945
Wg Cdr F. H. Denton February 1945 to August 1945
Wg Cdr W. P. Kemp August 1945 to September 1945
page 460

Bases:

Feltwell, Norfolk August 1942 to April 1943
Methwold, Norfolk April 1943 to July 1943
Sculthorpe, Norfolk July 1943 to December 1943
Hunsdon, Hertfordshire January 1944 to April 1944
Gravesend, Kent April 1944 to June 1944
Thorney Island, Hants June 1944 to February 1945
Rosieres en Santerre, France February 1945 to April 1945
Brussels, Melsbroek April 1945 to July 1945
Cambrai, Epinoy July 1945 to September 1945

Role:

Formed as a light day-bomber squadron equipped with Ventura aircraft. Transferred from Bomber Command to 2nd TAF in June 1943; re-equipped with Mosquito bombers in August 1943. Role henceforth predominantly night bombing attacks, but also took part in several special daylight precision attacks.

First Operation:

6 December 1942 16 Venturas attacked Phillips radio works, Eindhoven, by day.

Last Operation:

2–3 May 1945 13 Mosquitos bombed Itzeloe, Heide, and Elmshorn at night.

Disbanded: 19 September 1945

Effort and Achievements:

No. 487 Squadron flew 3112 sorties totalling 7892 hours. As its aircraft operated mainly at night, no accurate record of achievements could be compiled, but No. 487's contribution to the campaign against enemy transport and supply was certainly substantial.

Decorations won by New Zealand members of the squadron were:

Victoria Cross 1 Distinguished Flying Cross 7
Distinguished Service Order 1 Distinguished Flying Medal 1
Bar to DFC 1

No. 488 Squadron

Squadron Motto: Ka ngarue ratau (We shake them).

Date and Place of Formation: 25 June 1942 – Church Fenton, Yorkshire.

Commanding Officers:

Wg Cdr R. M. Trousdale June 1942 to March 1943
Wg Cdr J. Nesbitt-Dufort March 1943 to July 1943
Wg Cdr A. R. Burton-Giles July 1943 to September 1943
Wg Cdr P. H. Hamley September 1943 to January 1944
Wg Cdr R. C. Halne January 1944 to October 1944
Wg Cdr R. G. Watts October 1944 to April 1945

Bases:

Church Fenton, Yorkshire June 1942 to August 1942
Ayr, Ayrshire August 1942 to August 1943
Drem, East Lothian August 1943 to September 1943
Bradwell Bay, Essex September 1943 to May 1944
Zeals, Wiltshire May 1944 to August 1944
Colerne, Wiltshire August 1944 to November 1944
Hunsdon, Hertfordshire November 1944
Amiens-Glisy, France November 1944 to April 1945
Gilze Rijen, Holland April 1945
page 461

Role:

No. 488 was originally equipped with Beaufighters and operated as a night intruder squadron over France and the Low Countries. Re-equipped with Mosquito night fighters in August 1943 and posted south as defensive night fighters. After D Day operated almost entirely over the Continent as night fighters, achieving outstanding success.

First Operation:

2 October 1942 Interception patrol over Ayrshire by one Beaufighter.

Last Operation:

25–26 April 1945 Seven sorties flown over Germany.

Disbanded: 26 April 1945

Effort and Achievements:

No. 488 Squadron flew 2899 sorties, totalling 6689 hours, during which 67 enemy machines were destroyed, 4 probably destroyed, and 10 damaged. Whilst employed on ranger patrols in 1943, crews also destroyed or damaged some 40 locomotives.

Decorations won by New Zealand members of the squadron were:

Distinguished Service Order 1 Distinguished Flying Cross 4
Bar to DFC 1 Air Force Cross 1

No. 489 Squadron

Squadron Motto: Whakatangata Kia Kaha (Quit ye like men, be strong).

Date and Place of Formation: 12 August 1941 – Leuchars, Fife, Scotland.

Commanding Officers:

Wg Cdr J. A. S. Brown August 1941 to October 1942
Wg Cdr V. C. Darling October 1942 to August 1943
Wg Cdr J. S. Dinsdale August 1943 to August 1944
Wg Cdr L. A. Robertson August 1944 to February 1945
Wg Cdr D. H. Hammond February 1945 to August 1945

Bases:

Leuchars, Fife August 1941 to March 1942
Thorney Island, Hants March 1942 to August 1942
Skitten, Nr. Wick, Caithness August 1942 to September 1942
Wick, Caithness September 1942 to October 1943
Leuchars October 1943 to April 1944
Langham, Norfolk April 1944 to October 1944
Dallachy, Morayshire October 1944 to June 1945
Banff, Banffshire June 1945 to August 1945

Role:

Formed as a torpedo-bomber squadron, No. 489 began training with Beaufort aircraft which were to be replaced by Blenheims and finally Hampdens before the squadron became operational. Early sorties were anti-submarine patrols and it was not until August 1942 that the squadron turned to its role of search and attack of enemy shipping. Operating along the Norwegian coast and in the North Sea, it then achieved notable success; crews also flew air-sea rescue searches and anti-submarine patrols and escorted naval vessels and merchant convoys. In October 1943 No. 489 was withdrawn from operations and the obsolete Hampden was replaced by the Beaufighter. In April 1944 it joined forces with No. 455 Australian Squadron to form the Anzac Strike Wing which operated with great success during the last year of the war.

page 462

First Operation:

11 May 1942 Anti-submarine patrols by three Hampdens off the west coast of France.

Last Operation:

21 May 1945 Two Beaufighters flew anti-submarine patrols off the Norwegian coast.

Disbanded: 1 August 1945

Effort and Achievements:

No. 489 Squadron flew 2380 sorties totalling 9773 hours. By the end of May 1944 crews had sunk 11 ships totalling 38,700 tons and damaged a further 13 vessels. During the last year of war No. 489 flew as part of a wing which sank 19 ships totalling 67,000 tons and 12 escort vessels; a further 18 cargo ships and 49 escorts were damaged.

Decorations won by New Zealanders with the squadron were:

Distinguished Service Order 2 Distinguished Flying Medal 1
Bar to DFC 1 Conspicuous Gallantry Medal 1
Distinguished Flying Cross 19

No. 490 Squadron

Squadron Motto: Taniwha Kei Runga (The Taniwha is in the air).

Date and Place of Formation: 28 March 1943 – Jui, West Africa.

Commanding Officers:

Wg Cdr D. W. Baird June 1943 to November 1943
Wg Cdr B. S. Nicholl November 1943 to October 1944
Wg Cdr T. F. Gill October 1944 to June 1945

Base: Jui, West Africa

Role:

Flying Boat Squadron engaged on anti-submarine patrols, convoy escort, and air-sea rescue in the Freetown area. No. 490 was originally equipped with Catalinas but later converted to Sunderlands. The first Sunderland patrol was flown in the middle of May 1944 and the squadron continued to operate with these aircraft until the end of the war.

First Operation:

2 July 1943 Convoy escort patrol by one Catalina.

Last Operation:

6 May 1945 Patrol by one Sunderland.

Disbanded: 1 August 1945

Effort and Achievements:

No. 490 Squadron flew 463 sorties totalling 4853 hours. In addition to some fine rescue work, the squadron made a substantial contribution to the safe passage of Allied convoys through West African waters. A New Zealander with the squadron was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.