Second World War: New Zealand Crews
On 4 April 1940, The New Zealand Squadron was renamed No. 75 Squadron with the letters (NZ) being added in brackets after the number. This was the first Commonwealth squadron to be so created in the Second World War. Although often referred to, then and since, as an RNZAF unit, 75 Squadron was equipped and controlled by the RAF until VJ Day. (This was not the case with most RNZAF units, as well as those from the other Dominions; technically these units were attached to the RAF under Article XV of the Empire Air Training Scheme, and were known as "Article XV squadrons".)
75 (NZ) Sqn rejoined No. 3 Group and was based initially at RAF Feltwell, then RAF Mildenhall, RAF Newmarket and RAF Mepal in Cambridgeshire. It saw action over France, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Sweden and Germany.
Its code letters of "AA" became widely recognised on both sides, The squadron operated with three flights after receiving Short Stirlings, and "C" Flight was given the code letters "JN" as there were insufficient codes for three flights of "AA". Avro Lancasters replaced the Stirlings in 1944 until August 1945 when after moving to RAF Spilsby the squadron began converting to Avro Lincolns as part of the new Tiger Force. The squadron had to leave their well tuned and looked-after Lancasters at Mepal and were given a squadron of rather poorly kept Lancasters at Spilsby. The personnel were now completely New Zealanders, but when Japan surrendered, the squadron had received only three Lincolns to take to the Far East, and it was soon disbanded, with the New Zealanders being slowly shipped home over a twelve-month period.
75 (Bomber) Squadron 1937-1940, and 75 (NZ) Squadron 1940-1945, was based at:
| From | To | Name | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1937 | Jul 1938 | RAF Driffield | Anson Mk.I, Virginia Mk.X |
| Jul 1938 | Jul 1939 | RAF Honington | Anson Mk.I, Harrow Mks.I, II |
| Jul 1939 | Sep 1939 | RAF Stradishall | Anson Mk.I, Wellington Mk.I |
| Sep 1939 | Apr 1940 | RAF Harwell | Anson Mk.I, Wellington Mk.I |
| Apr 1940 | Aug 1942 | RAF Feltwell | Wellington Mks.I, Ia, Ic |
| Aug 1942 | Nov 1942 | RAF Mildenhall | Vickers Wellington Mks.Ia, Ic Short Stirling Mk.I |
| Nov 1942 | Jun 1943 | RAF Newmarket | Short Stirling Mk.I |
| Jun 1943 | Jul 1945 | RAF Mepal | Short Stirling Mks.I, III Lancaster Mks.I, III |
| Jul 1945 | Oct 1945 | RAF Spilsby | Lancaster Mks.I, III Lincoln Mk.II |
Read more about this topic: No. 75 Squadron RAF
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