75 squadron rnzaf history books

Our air force is 75 years old as an independent service, but new zealands involvement in military flying extends back to 1912. It begins in the bamboo and piano wire era before world war i and continues on through 19141918, when the flying schools at kohimarama and sockburn were training men who included the leaders of the service in a later generation, and into the years of. The number of personnel serving in the rnzaf shrinks to 7154. Wartime rnzafbooks air force, rnzaf, raf, waaf, wwii. The history of 514 squadron raf 514 squadron served in the rafs no. A new aerobatic display team called the black falcons was also formed using the new aircraft.

Buy 75 nz squadron raf bomber command profiles by ward, chris, newey, chris isbn. New history of 75 nz squadron wings over new zealand. It was the first new zealand squadron formed under article xv of the empire air training scheme and served in europe under the operational and administrative command of the royal air force. The 75 squadron nz association has been collating the history of the four squadrons and intends on publishing this at sometime yet to be announced. After a short period of operations from raf foulsham, the squadron transferred to its permanent home at raf waterbeach, cambridgeshire, in december 1943, some aircraft travelling from the old base to the new via a. It has a history going back to world war ii, when it operated flying boats, and has been disbanded and reformed several times through changes in the countrys military structure. Although often referred to as an rnzaf unit, it was wholly equipped and. Rnzaf base ohakea is an operational base of the royal new zealand air force. Rnzaf rnzaf history book royal new zealand air force.

A long patrol, an illustrated history of no 1 squadron rnzaf, 1986, century hutchinson, auckland, isbn 0091636000. This meant that the original nucleus of personnel remained together as an operational unit of the raf. The records can be used to create a list of all the flying operations that raf aircrew completed. A squadron history by norman franks was published in 1991, titled forever strong a translation of the squadrons maori motto, ake ake kia kaha. This new official history covers the origins and growth of the rnzaf. This accident remains the heaviest single loss in rnzaf history.

A 75 sqn would no longer be used or part of the raf. Blog 75nzsquadronremembered 75 nz squadron 1940 1945. In 2015 the squadron was reraised and equipped with 11 beechcraft t6 texan ii. Wilf clouston, a veteran of the battle of france and battle of britain with 9 victories to his credit. Manned primarily by pilots of the royal new zealand air force, but controlled operationally and. An initial training school was set up at rongotai, later moving to levin. Rnzaf timeline royal new zealand air force nzhistory.

Books and articles the 75 squadron nz association has been collating the history of the four squadrons and intends on publishing this at sometime yet to be announced. They replaced the rnzaf display team known as the red checkers. In this episode dave homewood interviews former members of no. List of lancaster bombers in service with no 75 squadron nz. It is also a diversion landing point for civilian aircraft. Due to the special character of the squadron, and the level of interest, the author and the publishers mention the war wanted to obtain input and perspective from new zealand, and approached. Navigation and air electronics training squadron rnzaf. This book is the latest of chris wards raf bomber command squadron profiles. Reinhold eckardt kracker archives wellington x9759 was shot down by oblt.

A prolific writer, this is i believe the first of his rnzaf related books, and was followed up later by of wind and water. This will include a concise listing of all those personnel that served on the 75 squadrons. Volume 8 raf bomber command profiles, by chris ward. The new zealand 75 squadron association was first created at a reunion of returned 75 squadron serviceman in wellington, new zealand in 1950. Embroidered cloth patch designed to be sewn on to a garment. This is the story, informally told, of the rnzaf and of the men and women, all ranks, who made the service what it is today. Photocopy of a ts list 6pp of lancaster bombers in service with no 75 squadron nz, raf, between march 1944 and october 1945, giving details of their.

On the same day, 4 april 1940, the new zealand flight was redesignated no. Formed in april 1940 from the new zealand wellington flight and served in no. Eric later wrote a book, the wooden horse, about the escape. Reports state that considerable damage was caused within the city with 82 people killed, 229 injured with over 1,400 people bombed out of their homes. No 75 new zealand squadron raf lancaster 1944 maximum. Ake ake kia kaha for ever and ever be strong updated. Page for the 75th anniversary commemorative history book on the rnzaf. By the end of the war, 3635 rnzaf personnel have been killed on active service, 350 in the pacific and 3285 in europe the majority with raf bomber command. Rnzaf rnzaf in world war ii royal new zealand air force. Greetings everyone, i have been requested to help trace the family of sgt. On 4 april 1940, the new zealand squadron was renamed 75nz squadron. It was formed from the rafs world war ii bomber squadron, no. The forms on this page are provided for any person who either served on 75 squadron or is a family member.

From march 1939 until april 1940, the squadron acted as a training squadron, before becoming part of no. The squadron was created when, in a unique gesture, the squadron number, colours and battle. It was formed from new zealand elements of the british royal air force, becoming an independent force in 1923, although many rnzaf aircrew. Opened in 1939, it is located near bulls, 25 km northwest of palmerston north in the manawatu. The history of 75nz squadron raf started in 1938 when the new zealand government. During the hectic struggle against the invading japanese in malaya and singapore in 194142, the rnzaf was represented by no. Royal air force operations record books 19111963 the national. Although often referred to as an rnzaf unit, it was wholly equipped and controlled by the raf until the end of the conflict.

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 the first commonwealth squadron to be so created in the second world war. It was disbanded in 1948, but reformed the following year and operated jet aircraft throughout the cold war. Hardcover, tiny scuff marks to edges, minor shelf wear to dust jacket. Flying obsolete vildebeestes, vincents and baffins, three of the four territorial squadrons. The squadron was one of several commonwealth squadrons equipped with brewster buffaloes, and arrived at kallang airfield singapore in. This gesture has not been afforded to any other commonwealth country. I have been requested to help trace the family of sgt. Our air force is 75 years old as an independent service, but new zealand s involvement in military flying extends back to 1912. The squadron was formed in 1942 and saw extensive action in the south west pacific theatre of world war ii, operating p40 kittyhawks.

The first year of world war ii saw accelerated expansion of the rnzaf, with new flying training schools established at taieri, harewood, new plymouth and whenuapai and air gunners and observers schools at ohakea. The reason for the request is that timothys log book has come to light and a young lady wishes to return it to a family member. Timothy rowley murphy nz404037 rnzaf wopag lost in 75 rnzaf squadron wellington z8909 during the night of 1011 october 1941. And, second, franks book covers the squadron history from 1916 to. Popeye lucas was one of the first airmen i recall learning about when i first started to read up on the rnzaf history, i guess with a name like his, and the face that matched the nose art on his aeroplanes, he stuck in my mind. Several of our dedicated veterans have been researching. Former squadron members from across the generations and different eras were in attendance, from seven wwii veterans, to. Te tauaarangi o aotearoa, new zealand warriors of the sky. A pictorial history of the final days of 2, 14 and 75 squadron has been published, as has a childrens book about a skyhawk serving with the squadron. Margaret mcclure takes us through those early, tenuous days, when flying machines were fragile and sceptics were many. This is his story, the story of the boys he flew with, of those that arrived before.