No. 75 Squadron RNZAF
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Established as a unit of the Royal Airforce for Home Defence in 1916, No. 75 Squadron initially flew BE type tractor biplanes. It later converted to Sopwith Camels. Little information has survived abou the squadron's early history; the suspicion being in common with many home defence units, it failed to achieve any significant air combat success before being disbanded with the end of the war.
75 was reformed on Avro Ansons and Handley Page Harrows as part of the RAF expansion in the mid 1930s.
Menawhile, the New Zealand government ordered 30 modern Vickers Wellington bombers to replace it's Vickers Vildebeests. Aircrew were sent to England to train on the new aircraft before flying them back to New Zealand.
In August 1939, with war seemingly increasingly likely, the New Zealand government offered to loan Britian both men and machines. These took over the "75" squadron number, the letters (NZ) being added in brackets afterwards.
75 was the first of the "brackets" squadrons - ultimately, 6 other New Zealand units, as well as Australian, Belgian, Canadian, Czech, French, Greek, Hong Kong, Indian, Norwegian Polish and South African squadrons were formed within the RAF, until the practise ceased in 1942. These squadrons were usally formed around aircrews from the named nation, replacment aircrew, where possible coming from that nation as well, although most ground crew were British. Although often referred to, then and since, as an RNZAF unit, 75 squadron was equipped and controlled by the RAF until VJ day.
75 Squadron saw action early over France, Norway and most other European nations, but principally against Germany. The squadron was progressively equipped with Short Stirlings, Avro Lancasters and Avro Lincolns, which it was preparing to take to the far east when Japan surrendered. The squadron won a single VC; awarded to Sgt J Ward for climbing along the wing of a Wellington, in flight, to put out an engine fire. 75 Squadron claims to be the only squadron engaged constantly against Germany from 1939 to VE day. The squadron flew more sorties than any other RAF heavy bomber unit,and suffered more casulties than any other squadron. It dropped the second largest weight of bombs.
At the end of WWII, Britian offered the squadron number and colours to New Zealand, in gratitude for the work done by it's New Zealand aircrew, (the RNZAF's squadron numbers had only reached the mid 40s). 75 Squadron RNZAF, ostensibly as a continuation of the previous unit, reformed with DeHavilland Mosquitoes.
The unit operated De Havilland Vampires and English Electric Canberras - the later seeing action flying out of Singapore to attack insurgents in Malaysia.
In 1970, 10 A-4K and 4 TA-4K Skyhawks were purchased and allocated to No. 75 Squadron. Formed in 1946, 75 Squadron was the primary attack squadron for the RNZAF based at Ohakea in the North Island.
The Skyhawk fleet underwent Project KAHU in the late 1980s which upgraded the avionics systems. The A-4Gs were then redesignated A-4K/TA-4K.
The Air Combat Force comprising, Nos 2, 14, and 75 Squadrons was officially disbanded on 13 December 2001.
A Squadron History by Norman Franks was published in the 1990s, titled "Forever Strong", (a literal translation of the squadron's maori motto, Kia Kaha).
A Lancaster at the Museum of Transport and Technology wears 75 squadron colours on one side as does a Kahu Skyhawk preserved at Ohakea, (the other being in 2 Squadron colours). Another Skyhawk in 75 Squadron colours is preserved (circa the mid 1970s) is at the RNZAF Museum at Wigram, as is a De Havilland Vampire.
