Return to bomber command halifax operations october 1942 to may 1945, elvington. Mar 21, 2019 unlike stamp collectors and their knowledgeable breadth of history, when you pick up raf bomber command profiles. Due to the special character of the squadron, and the level of interest, chris ward and the publishers wanted to obtain input and perspective from new zealand, and approached the nz bomber command assn. Bomber command books from mention the war publications. The bombing was accurate and the target areas were almost turned into crater filled moonscapes. Initial aircraft received were four vickers virginia night bombers and two avro ansons. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Jul 25, 2017 the epic world war ii story of the heroes of australias 75 squadron and the 44 days when these brave and barely trained pilots fought alone against the japanese. The squadron reformed again at raf waddington on 1 august 1962 equipped with the avro vulcan v bomber, using ex617 squadron aircraft made surplus after 617 squadron reequipped with vulcan b. High degree of reader involvement in supplying information. The author, the crews rear gunner describes with some degree of realism the fears and dangerous encountered by a bomber command crew. In march and april 1942, raaf 75 squadron bravely defended port moresby for 44 days when australia truly stood alone against the japanese. Chris wards latest book on the squadron will answer so many unanswered questions about the squadron and its brave aircrew. List of lancaster bombers in service with no 75 squadron nz.
The raf mounted big attacks on german cities last night, it said. New history of 75 nz squadron wings over new zealand. More than 56,000 british and commonwealth aircrew and 600,000 germans died in the course of the rafs attempt to win the war by bombing. Raf bomber command profiles that were first published in the 1990. The squadron was moved to 1 group in october 1942, it converted to. From bomber command to the french resistance the stirring story of an australian hero. In the background, to the left mepals control tower and to the right one of the airfield hangers. Nz bomber command association news the new zealand bomber. All images relate to aircraft and aircrew from my fathers squadron during world war 2. Our growing list of titles focuses on the aircraft, squadrons and above all the men and women who shaped the legend that endures to this day.
This book tells the story, largely unknown or forgotten today, of this extraordinary air campaign which literally saved. Sep 23, 20 bomber command s air offensive against the cities of nazi germany was one of the most epic campaigns of world war ii. Nb this is a slightly amended version of the 75th anniversary 617 squadron profile with some additional information and photog. It was formed from the rafs world war ii bomber squadron, no. We specialise in publishing and selling books about raf bomber command in the second world war and related topics. A slightly larger photograph of the crashed squadron raf lancaster at mepal. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Log book of a former 218 75 sdqn fe short stirling. The new zealand bomber command association updated their cover photo. Blog 75nzsquadronremembered 75 nz squadron 1940 1945. Royal air force operations record books 19111963 the national. In march and april 1942, raaf 75 squadron bravely defended port moresby for 44 days. Nixon 7 squadron, raf, flying mn 863 was on an armed recce that.
About australians in the uk bomber command 1939 1945. The back of the photograph says it is but the date does not tally with any of the ops the. It records his training, the operations he took part in, and his total flying hours. Largest collection of luftwaffe pilot data in the world. These are royal air force raf operations record books orbs, though the. The epic world war ii story of the heroes of australias 75 squadron and the 44 days when these brave and barely trained pilots fought alone against the japanese. This is the log book of sgt albert titch halliday who, in 19445 was a mid upper gunner with 75 new zealand squadron. 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. Possibly one reason for the lack of operations flown by raf bomber command crews in 1945 was the large number of crews held on squadrons by this time.
Written by chris ward and chris newey, it contains numerous black and white photos. A compelling book that describes with some skill the daytoday dangers and perils of operational flying. There are a few squadrons that served with raf bomber command that automatically get your attention, one of them is most certainly no. The unit saw action over france, norway, belgium, italy, sweden and germany, distinguishing itself in the process. During the second world war, they flew blenheims until may 1941 as part of 2 and 3 group bomber command. The backbone of bomber command from 1939 until 1942 was the wellington bomber which equipped no 455 squadron.
Royal air force bomber command allied air forces battle of normandy no 1 group bawtry hall. Even though im a former commanding officer of 75 squadron, with these events in my dna, i was still turning pages to see what happened next. Bob jays war vics personal journey to learn about his father who flew with the mallon crew and 75nz squadron raf. Bomber commands air offensive against the cities of nazi germany was one of the most epic campaigns of world war ii.
His books include the critically acclaimed accounts of australian airmen in. Squadron leader john jackson was killed in action whilst leading a small group of australian fighter pilots of no 75 squadron defending port moresby against a massive japanese air threat in a 44 day period in early 1942. Photo courtesy and of nz bomber command association photo archives, from the collection of joe tomlin. Reinhold eckardt kracker archives wellington x9759 was shot down by oblt. A new history of the squadron 193945 available on amazon, or direct from the publisher, mention the war publications. The facebook page for the new zealand bomber command association, remembering the kiwis who. The first is a 477 page detailed study of 75 during. This book is the latest of chris wards raf bomber command squadron profiles. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. The squadron moved to elvington airfield, just outside york, and commenced intensive training on halifax ii aircraft on the 8th october 1942 but was not declared operational until the end of january 1943.
Believed to have dropped the third highest bomb tonnage 21,600 tons in bomber command. Log book sgt titch halliday 75 squadron bomber command. Carried out the fourth highest number of bombing raids of all heavy bomber squadrons. It was supported by hampdens which equipped no 458 squadron and whitleys but it was decided in early 1942 to replace the hampdens and whitleys with four engined bombers which could carry twice the bombload of a medium bomber. The new zealand bomber command association posts facebook.
Mar 28, 2019 buy 115 squadron raf bomber command profiles by ward, chris isbn. Raafs greatest casualties were with the bomber command raids. This involved learning to fly the twin engined vickers wellington bomber. Hardcover, tiny scuff marks to edges, minor shelf wear to dust jacket. The jndog boys the crew who flew and maintained 75nz. 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. The navigators can be seen with their large map bags. British aviation archaeological council research topics. It began the war operating the vickers wellington from marham, norfolk, but active operations did not begin until the german invasion of norway in april 1940. Aug 22, 20 bomber command pursued its campaign relentlessly until the very end, supporting the allied advance and hitting fuel and transport targets until the 2nd of may. Inaction by the raf downham market memorial appeal please note, 214fms 218 gold coast and 623 squadron have no connection or dealings with this appeal. During my research i have developed a deep admiration for the crews flying the wellington and stirling bombers. Home book shop wars battles biographies timeline weapons. Sgt jarman then flew eight operations as 2nd pilot to squadron leader kitchin, the b flight commander.
Possibly one reason for the lack of operations flown by raf bomber command crews in 1945 was the large number of crews held on. The squadron was created when, in a unique gesture, the squadron number, colours and battle honours were transferred to the rnzaf. I have winky kirks autograph book with the signatures of all his crew plus many others. It carries the tail markings of a gh leader for a flight 75 nz squadron. Buy 115 squadron raf bomber command profiles by ward, chris isbn. Suffered second highest casualties rate in bomber command. If you read this and either have an interest in 75nz squadron raf, or have a story about a relative who flew with the squadron, please contact me, the. Only 3% of australians who served to ww2 went as part of a bomber aircrew yet 39% of all australias ww2 casualties were from this bomber command group, of which were from a single raaf squadron, 460 sqn flying out of binbrook uk.
Bomber command books is the sales site for mention the war ltd. My dad was the wireless operator on this aircraft i have all the details in his log book tuesday, 14 april 2020 07. Bomber command books mention the wars online book store. Dropped 2,344 sea mines, most likely representing the second highest total in bomber command. 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. The epic world war ii story of the heroes of australias 75 squadron and the 44 days. Volume 8 raf bomber command profiles, by chris ward. Research based site with hundreds of thousands of data points on pilots, crew and ground crew associated with flying, particularly ww11. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Buy 75 nz squadron raf bomber command profiles by ward, chris, newey, chris isbn. Bomber command pursued its campaign relentlessly until the very end, supporting the allied advance and hitting fuel and transport targets until the 2nd of may.