75 Squadron RNZAF, 1946 to 2001

Motto

AKE AKE KIA KAHA
FOR EVER AND EVER BE STRONG

HISTORY

RENAMED 10 October 1946
DISBANDED 13 December 2001

C O’s

W/C, J. E. WATTS. RNZAF, December 1946 to April 1947

W/C, A. A. N. BRECKON. RNZAF, April 1947 to July 1947
DFC,

S/L, C. H. BAIGENT. RNZAF, July 1947 to Jan 1950
DSO, DFC,

S/L, E. C. GARTRELL. RNZAF. 1 January 1950 to March 1952
DFC,

S/L, A. F. TUCKER. RNZAF, March 1952 to June 1953

S/L, N. H. BRIGHT. RNZAF, June 1953 to April 1954

S/L, G. R. B. HIGHET. RNZAF, April 1954 to May 1954

W/C, D. F. St GEORGE. RNZAF, May 1954 to August 1954

S/L, N. F. CURTIS. RAF, August 1954 to August 1956

BASES

Ohakea, Palmerston North, NZ December 1946 to 1957
Tengah, Singapore, 1958 to March 1962
Ohakea, Palmerston North, NZ, March 1962 to 13 December 2001

AIRCRAFT TYPES

Ventura 1946 to 1947
Mosquito 1948 to 1951
Vampire 1952 to 1957
Canberra B2 1958 to 1962
Canberra B[I]12 1962
Canberra T13 1962
Vampire 1965
Skyhawk A4K to 13 December 2001
Skyhawk TA4K to 13 December 2001

CODE LETTERS

Ohakea, Palmerston North, Mosquito FB6 & T43 1948 to 1952 YC

ROLES

EFFORTS

MALAY EMERGENCY
SORTIES 19
BOMBS 114,000 LBS

THE BADGE

Close comparison of the Badge with any other RNZAF Sqn Badge and RAF Sqn Badge will reveal that No 75 Squadron’s is a combination of the two.
This is due to the fact that originally No 75 Squadron was an RAF Squadron, but when the number was transferred to the RNZAF the words “ ROYAL AIR FORCE” were replaced with “ ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE” without the frame being changed.

The argument which brought about acceptance of this badge is given in a letter to Air Department in March 1953 , by Group Captain I G Morrison , who was commanding RNZAF Ohakea and was an Original Member of the Squadron in 1940.

Although the Chester Herald points out that certain principles of the Heraldic Practice would be violated by an RNZAF Sqn Crest incorporating a RAF Sqn frame, No 75 Squadron is anxious to record its historic association with the RAF in its Badge, and it is felt that to adopt the device recommended is the most suitable way of doing so.
The fact that the Badge in its new form academically violates time honoured Heraldic principals, surely serving to make the Badge more valuable historically. It is felt that this is fully justified because the circumstances surrounding the birth of No 75 Squadron are unique

The main features of the Badge are the Maori “Tiki”, the Two Hammers, and the inscription “ Ake Ake Kia Kaha”, the Tiki signifies ‘Good Luck’ [normally recognized as a fertility symbol], The Two Hammers are part of the New Zealand Coat Of Arms, and the inscription, which means “ We Will Fight On Forever”, reputed to have been uttered by Chief Tamirake, a Maori Chieftain when surrounded, and fighting against insurmountable odds, at Gate Pa , during the Maori Wars .

THE SQUADRON STANDARD

On 6th February 1958, at Palmerston North, New Zealand, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother presented a Standard to No 75 Squadron RNZAF, in recognition of the Squadron’s outstanding service over a long period.

“The Standard” was created by King George VI towards the 25th anniversary of the RAF in 1943.   

It is awarded only to Squadrons of 25 years standing, or with history of “specially outstanding operations”.
Her Majesty The Queen affirmed her father’s decision and subsequently authorized the award of “The Standard” under similar conditions to No 75 Squadron.
Every award is subject to the personal approval of Her Majesty.

“The Standard” comprises of a fringed and tasseled silken banner mounted on a pike crowned by a Golden Eagle .  

Eight selected Battle Honours in a Scroll surround the Squadron badge, and the whole is enclosed in a decorative border.
Details of the Battle Honours are

HOME DEFENCE 1916 – 1918 FORTRESS EUROPE 1940 – 1944
INVASION PORTS 1940 NORMANDY 1944
DUNKIRK 1940 WALCHEREN 1944
NORWAY 1940 FRANCE & GERMANY 1944 – 1945

    In her speech Her Majesty The Queen Mother said she was very happy to be here to present the Standard because she had clear recollections of meeting New Zealander’s of 75 Squadron in Great Britain in the dark days of World War 11.  

“Yours is a Squadron with a fine record of service in war”.
“In published histories and in the printed annals of RAF Bomber Command are recorded for all time the Illustrious deeds of No 75 [NZ] Bomber Squadron.
This Squadron has been retained in the post – war Air Force and I feel certain from your fine display of drill and from the excellence of your dress and bearing that the traditions of which we are all so rightly proud will be worthily upheld.”

Sqn Ldr G. Amor RAF OC 75 Squadron  commanded the parade and received the Standard from Her Majesty on behalf of the Squadron.

P/O T E Enwright , Dunedin, was the Standard Bearer.

ROLL OF HONOUR

F/O D L Finn 2 October1961 Gemas Malaya

F/O M T Whinery 8 August 1967 Ohakea

In the post war while equipped with Mosquito FB 6 aircraft the Squadron had the pleasure of sinking two ships for target practice.
In 1950, they sank the Barqe Lutterworth by bombs, and in 1952, the Arahura with rockets.

During the Malayan Emergency, from 1956 to 1962, the Squadron operated 9 English Electric Canberra B2 bombers from RAF Station Tengah, Singapore,
These were leased from the British Government and exchanged when they were due 2nd line servicing.

In 1970, 14 McDonnell Douglas A4K aircraft were purchased to replace the aged De Havilland Vampire FB 5 aircraft that the Squadron was flying.

Early in their life they were modified with cranked refueling probes, to avert any fuel spillage during air to air refueling entering the engine air intake.

In 1984, the NZ Government bought a further 10 A4’s from the RAN [Royal Australian Navy], who had decommissioned their aircraft carrier, The HMAS Melbourne, a Majestic class, light carrier, in 1982.

Between 1988 to 1989 the aircraft underwent “Project Kahu”, which upgraded the avionics systems and upgraded the ex Australian aircraft to A4K status.

In 1994 a major escape system change was commenced to fit the UPCO S1113S-ER ejection seat to replace the MOD EScapac 1G3.

The then National Government decided to replace the Skyhawks with 28 F16 Fighting Falcon block 15 surplus aircraft from the USA in 1998, but the Fifth Labour Government, under Helen Clark in 1999, decided to remove all attack aircraft from the RNZAF, and the Squadron was disbanded on 13th December 2001.

In 2011, 8 former A4k and TA4k aircraft were sold to Draken International, the aircraft retain their NZ colour scheme and act as adversary Squadrons against USAF and USN fighter aircraft

with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner