Vickers Wellington Bombers in RNZAF WWII Pacific service

[+dtmdragon 2,704]

The New Zealand government had ordered 30 Vickers Wellington Mk1C bombers in 1938. RNZAF aircrew were sent to England to train on the new aircraft.

As a result of Britain declaring war against Germany, the New Zealand Government made the airman and the aircraft available to the RAF to help with the new war effort. The aircraft and men become No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, the first Commonwealth article XV squadron of the war.

No 75 (NZ) Squadron was engaged constantly against Germany from 1940 to VE day, upgrading to Sterling and then Lancaster bombers. The squadron flew more sorties than any other Allied heavy bomber squadron, suffered the second most casualties of all the Allied squadrons, and dropped the second largest weight of bombs of any Allied squadron.

In gratitude for the work done and sacrifices made by its New Zealand aircrew, Britain transferred the squadron number, badge and colours to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The RAF were to never again have a No. 75 Squadron, and it is the only RAF Squadron to be given to a Commonwealth country by Britain.

 

 

But what if the original Wellington bombers had never been loaned to the RAF and had made the 13,000-mile flight to New Zealand as originally planned?

 

 

No. 1 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron (Sqn code 'SJ'). Whenuapai Air Station, Auckland, New Zealand 1940

 

 

 

 

No. 1 (BR) Squadron. Fiji Garrison, South Pacific 1941

 

 

 

 

No. 1 (BR) Squadron. Henderson Air Field, Guadalcanal 1942

 

 

 

 

 

 

No. 1 (BR) Squadron. Bougainville 1944

 

 

 

 

 

 

And what really was: No. 75 (NZ) Squadron (Sqn code 'AA') Royal Air Force.

 

Edited September 4, 2014 by dtmdragon

[Wrench 9,850]

interesting. Makes one wonder how they'd have fared in the Solomons campaign. Given 99 Squadron's experience in Burma ... I forsee a lot of "night moves"