Post by 30sqnatc on Mar 12, 2007 19:26:03 GMT 12
As requested this is a copy of an article I put together after meeting a member of one of the RNZAF 1950's Light Anti Aircraft Sqns. I thought I had a fairly good knowledge of RNZAF history so I set about researching the subject fully expecting that I would be returning and explaining to him that he was mistaken and he was in an Army LAA battery- was I ever surprised!
This article was published in Forts & Works - Thought and Words on the Defence of New Zealand Issue 12, Oct 2001 and included a series of pictures from one of the units photo albums (nice pictures of the target tug Avengers!). I've deleted the unit organisation chart as its impossible to read in this format. I've left the tables there but are a little confusing to read - sorry.
The Forgotten Squadrons - The RNZAF Light Anti-Aircraft Squadrons
Will We Remember Them?
The histories of the RNZAF that have been published discuss in detail the aircraft equipped squadrons but who has ever heard of the RNZAF's Light Anti-aircraft (LAA) Squadrons? Granted they never fired a shot in anger however they still deserve their place in history.
Introduction
Air Department Minute 35 dated 25 August 1951 identified the need to establish a Control & Reporting system for New Zealand's Air Defence Areas and for two Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) Squadrons for forward airfield defence. It was envisaged that the two LAA Squadrons would be formed as part of the Territorial Air Force and would comprise of four flights, one based at each main centre.
To assist in establishing the LAA Squadrons a copy of the Organisation & Establishment of an RAF Regiment LAA Squadron was requested form the Royal Air Force. The subsequent plan to raise the two squadrons identified the need to also establish a LAA training school based in Ohakea to train the LAA Gunners.
LAA School
The establishment of an LAA School as a section of No 1Technical Training School based in Hobsonville was authorised in Air Department Administration Instruction 18/1952 issued on 28 March 1952.
The LAA School was expected to spend approximately nine months each year conducting LAA training courses for the four CMT intakes that were conducted each year and the remaining three months training the LAA Squadrons.
It also proposed that the school act as the headquarters of both squadrons and conduct all administration of the squadrons and their personnel. To achieve this task the following establishment was recommended for the LAA School:
Appointment Rank
Officer Commanding - Flight Lieutenant
Senior Instructor Gunnery - Flight Sergeant
Gunnery Instructors - 4 x Sergeants
Clerk - Corporal
Typist -
To assist in forming the School, an experienced RAF Regiment officer was loaned from the RAF to fill the Officer Commanding appointment. The staff included regular instructors and members of the Active Reserve. As will be seen later, this significantly underestimated the required establishment. The suggested list of School equipment included:
Item Number Remarks
Bren gun x 6
PIAT x 4
OQF 40mm Bofors Gun Mk III x 4
Motor Cycle x 2 Increased to 6 after much discussion
Tender 3 ton x 6
Car 5 cwt 4x4 x 2
Van 15 cwt canvas tilt x 1
Tractor Bofors x 2
LAA Squadron Organisation
Air Department Administration Instruction 19/1952 issued on 31 March 1952 directed that two squadrons, Number's 1 & 2 LAA Squadron be formed in the main from non-regular personnel. The two squadrons were to be deployed as part of the RNZAF Task Force in any future emergency. As with the School, they were to be based in Hobsonville. Ohakea had eventually been ruled out due to the lack of a suitable live firing range in the area. Each flight was to include one regular SNCO Gunnery Instructor. The organisation of an RNZAF LAA Squadron was:
The LAA Squadrons were to be manned by eight officers and 176 airmen; the Headquarters included two officers and 36 airmen and each Flight consisting of three officers and 70 airmen. The breakdown of the ranks was:
Rank Number
Squadron Leader x 1
Flight Lieutenant x 3
Pilot Officer x 4
Warrant Officer x 1
Flight Sergeant x 2
Sergeant x 15
Corporal x 22
Air Craftsman x 136
Early discussion into the formation of the RNZAF LAA units identified three main problems:
- how to attract sufficient officers and NCOs with LAA experience,
- how to train armourers to maintain the Bofors guns, and
- the lack of sufficient target towing aircraft as there were only two Avengers available which were already fully committed to aircraft gunnery training. It was noted that the shortage may eventually be solved as there was a proposal to modify Mosquito's to fulfil the target towing role.
Training Begins
Several options were discussed to recruit sufficient officers and NCOs as it was identified that a minimum of 62 instructors would be required. Ideally they should be ex-servicemen with artillery or gunnery experience. Ex-Aircrew with gunnery experience were also deemed acceptable. Initially 22 instructors were recruited and their LAA training began.
In late 1952 the NZ Army School of Artillery conducted an LAA Instructors course for RNZAF and Royal NZ Artillery students. The RNZAF instructors were posted to the LAA School where it was decided that the LAA School would only conduct courses in 1953 for the future commanders of the LAA Squadrons - 12 officers and 25 NCOs. This was a change to the initial concept as the aim had been to have the two squadrons at half strength by June 1953.
It was decided that only ten of the officer appointments in the LAA squadrons would be filled by ex-wartime personnel with the other places left vacant for CMT airmen to be appointed to commissions in an endeavour to get younger men into the senior positions. In July 1953 ten officers who were trained on the first course were posted to the squadrons.
Squadron Equipment
The initial equipment of an LAA Squadron was as follows:
Item Sqn HQ Flights Remarks
Bren gun x 1 x 14
PIAT x 1 x 2
OQF 40mm Bofors Gun Mk III x 12
Motor Cycle x 4 x 10
Tender 3 ton x 3 x 6
Tender Water 200 gal x 0 x 2 Later amended to 4 x 350 gal
Car 5 cwt 4x4 x 1 x 2
Van 15 cwt canvas tilt x 1 x 2
Tractor Bofors x 0 x 12
The L/60 Bofors guns made available by the Army in 1952 were World War Two vintage weapons. Initially the RNZAF LAA units fired ammunition obtained from the Navy. To tow the guns, 4x4 GMC 'Gun Towing Vehicles' were utilised. A LAA Control Centre (LAACC) was built in a caravan. The LAACC was towed by FWD 5 ton Tender, number MT 4376.
RNZAF Regiment
While the LAA Squadrons were being formed, a proposal to form an RNZAF Regiment in the vein of the RAF Regiment was being discussed. It had apparently been discussed previously both during and immediately after the Second World War however with the formation of the LAA Squadrons it was raised again. Air Staff Minute 806/52 dated 5 November 1952 floated the proposal that the regiment be formed to include all 'General Service' training staff, the LAA Squadrons and all ACH's. The aim was to give them their own identity and to provide the Provost Corps, guards and patrols; and ceremonial guards. A later suggestion added bands to the list.
After much correspondence and numerous meetings, The Chief of Air Staff finally stopped all discussion when he issued a letter on 11 January 1955 stating that it was "not logical or desirable" to form an RNZAF Regiment.
Up and Running
Due to the widely spread nature of the LAA Squadron personnel and their limited training camps the LAA School decided to periodically send out the 'LAA Newsletter' The first one was issued by Flight Lieutenant A.W. Barnard, OC LAA School. He welcomed Flight Lieutenants Dean and Damerell as the newly appointed Squadron Commanders. The expected graduation of the 3rd Intake of the LAA School on 11 September 1953 was reported as was the planned start of the fourth LAA CMT intake the following day. At that time the record for getting a Bofors gun into ' Halt Action' was 48.5 seconds while the preparation to move drill, 'Cease Fire', was 61 seconds.
Once the school began conducting courses and training the squadrons, it was quickly identified that the establishment was insufficient. The addition of an Armament Fitter, a MT Fitter, a Telecommunications Fitter and a MT Mechanic were soon approved but a request for a specialist radio instructor started an ongoing saga.
Up until February 1954 the two LAA Squadrons were being referred to as No 1 & 2 LAA Squadrons however from March of that year all correspondence refers to them as No 51 & 52 LAA Squadrons. The existing files examined during research for this article contained no direction formally changing their titles.
By 1954 the squadrons were regularly receiving new airmen from the LAA School. The School was conducting four different courses each lasting 20 days. The courses were designed to train students to perform the different roles required in a LAA Squadron. The three primary courses were for Gunners, Drivers and Armourers. The fourth course trained the subsidiary trades which included Cooks, Supply Assistants, Nursing Orderlies, Clerks and Radio Assistants.
During their annual summer camps, after a period of refresher training, a series of live shoots were always programmed where they fired their 40mm Bofors using High Explosive shells or a 0.50 inch sub-calibre machine gun fitted to a Bofors gun. Invariably at least one of the shoots was cancelled due to poor weather and increasingly due to the target towing plane being unserviceable. Following a series of no shows by 'Drogue One', by then a very a venerable Avenger, several letters of complaint were raised.
In 1956 the LAA School also had a name change when it became the Light Anti-Aircraft Gunnery Section of No 1 TTS. An additional proposal to separate the LAA School from 1 TTS as its training was not 'technical' was not approved.
Possible Change In Role
In May 1956 correspondence began discussing a possible change in the functions of 51 & 52 Squadrons. It was noted that the RAF LAA squadrons had changed role to highly mobile, infantry style Field Squadrons. It was explained that if this was a requirement for the Malayan theatre, the Far East Air Forces (FEAF) might wish the RNZAF LAA squadrons to re-role as well. It was also noted that a change in role would simplify and reduce the cost of the RNZAF's re-equipment programme.
On May 1956 the RNZAF sought direction from HQ FEAF in Singapore on the future employment of 51 & 52 Squadrons as part of the RNZAF Task Force. No answer other than a polite 'to busy at the moment' is on file. A proposal submitted in August 1956 to form the two LAA Squadrons into a LAA Wing was not approved. In early 1957 a further LAA Gunnery Instructors course was conducted.
The Final Act
With the cancellation of CMT, in mid 1957 an Air Staff Administration Order was issued disbanding the RNZAF Task Force Ancillary Units including the LAA Squadrons WEF 1 October 1957. A short time later Administrative Order 48/57 directed that the LAAG School be disbanded WEF 7 October 1957. Apparently they were in a hurry to close as they subsequently reported that they would be ready to close by 27 September 1957 so the official closure date was amended to 1 October 1957.
References:
National Archives Wellington
Air Department:
1/1/107, RNZAF Regiment. Formation of 11/52 - 1/55.
1/5/7, Organisation: LAA Squadrons 9/51-12/57.
2/1/58, Establishment: Task Force Light AA Squadron 11/52 - 10/57.
20/20/3, Auckland Air Defence Squadron.*
23/1/40, Training: Light Anti-Aircraft Squadrons 1952-57.*
23/95/1, Training: LAA Gunnery Instructors - Policy 1952-57.
23/99/7, Task Force Units Annual Training (LAA Sqns) 1953-57.
243/1, Unit History Sheets, 51 & 52 Sqns, Apr 1956-Feb 1957.*
* Contain photos
This article was published in Forts & Works - Thought and Words on the Defence of New Zealand Issue 12, Oct 2001 and included a series of pictures from one of the units photo albums (nice pictures of the target tug Avengers!). I've deleted the unit organisation chart as its impossible to read in this format. I've left the tables there but are a little confusing to read - sorry.
The Forgotten Squadrons - The RNZAF Light Anti-Aircraft Squadrons
Will We Remember Them?
The histories of the RNZAF that have been published discuss in detail the aircraft equipped squadrons but who has ever heard of the RNZAF's Light Anti-aircraft (LAA) Squadrons? Granted they never fired a shot in anger however they still deserve their place in history.
Introduction
Air Department Minute 35 dated 25 August 1951 identified the need to establish a Control & Reporting system for New Zealand's Air Defence Areas and for two Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) Squadrons for forward airfield defence. It was envisaged that the two LAA Squadrons would be formed as part of the Territorial Air Force and would comprise of four flights, one based at each main centre.
To assist in establishing the LAA Squadrons a copy of the Organisation & Establishment of an RAF Regiment LAA Squadron was requested form the Royal Air Force. The subsequent plan to raise the two squadrons identified the need to also establish a LAA training school based in Ohakea to train the LAA Gunners.
LAA School
The establishment of an LAA School as a section of No 1Technical Training School based in Hobsonville was authorised in Air Department Administration Instruction 18/1952 issued on 28 March 1952.
The LAA School was expected to spend approximately nine months each year conducting LAA training courses for the four CMT intakes that were conducted each year and the remaining three months training the LAA Squadrons.
It also proposed that the school act as the headquarters of both squadrons and conduct all administration of the squadrons and their personnel. To achieve this task the following establishment was recommended for the LAA School:
Appointment Rank
Officer Commanding - Flight Lieutenant
Senior Instructor Gunnery - Flight Sergeant
Gunnery Instructors - 4 x Sergeants
Clerk - Corporal
Typist -
To assist in forming the School, an experienced RAF Regiment officer was loaned from the RAF to fill the Officer Commanding appointment. The staff included regular instructors and members of the Active Reserve. As will be seen later, this significantly underestimated the required establishment. The suggested list of School equipment included:
Item Number Remarks
Bren gun x 6
PIAT x 4
OQF 40mm Bofors Gun Mk III x 4
Motor Cycle x 2 Increased to 6 after much discussion
Tender 3 ton x 6
Car 5 cwt 4x4 x 2
Van 15 cwt canvas tilt x 1
Tractor Bofors x 2
LAA Squadron Organisation
Air Department Administration Instruction 19/1952 issued on 31 March 1952 directed that two squadrons, Number's 1 & 2 LAA Squadron be formed in the main from non-regular personnel. The two squadrons were to be deployed as part of the RNZAF Task Force in any future emergency. As with the School, they were to be based in Hobsonville. Ohakea had eventually been ruled out due to the lack of a suitable live firing range in the area. Each flight was to include one regular SNCO Gunnery Instructor. The organisation of an RNZAF LAA Squadron was:
The LAA Squadrons were to be manned by eight officers and 176 airmen; the Headquarters included two officers and 36 airmen and each Flight consisting of three officers and 70 airmen. The breakdown of the ranks was:
Rank Number
Squadron Leader x 1
Flight Lieutenant x 3
Pilot Officer x 4
Warrant Officer x 1
Flight Sergeant x 2
Sergeant x 15
Corporal x 22
Air Craftsman x 136
Early discussion into the formation of the RNZAF LAA units identified three main problems:
- how to attract sufficient officers and NCOs with LAA experience,
- how to train armourers to maintain the Bofors guns, and
- the lack of sufficient target towing aircraft as there were only two Avengers available which were already fully committed to aircraft gunnery training. It was noted that the shortage may eventually be solved as there was a proposal to modify Mosquito's to fulfil the target towing role.
Training Begins
Several options were discussed to recruit sufficient officers and NCOs as it was identified that a minimum of 62 instructors would be required. Ideally they should be ex-servicemen with artillery or gunnery experience. Ex-Aircrew with gunnery experience were also deemed acceptable. Initially 22 instructors were recruited and their LAA training began.
In late 1952 the NZ Army School of Artillery conducted an LAA Instructors course for RNZAF and Royal NZ Artillery students. The RNZAF instructors were posted to the LAA School where it was decided that the LAA School would only conduct courses in 1953 for the future commanders of the LAA Squadrons - 12 officers and 25 NCOs. This was a change to the initial concept as the aim had been to have the two squadrons at half strength by June 1953.
It was decided that only ten of the officer appointments in the LAA squadrons would be filled by ex-wartime personnel with the other places left vacant for CMT airmen to be appointed to commissions in an endeavour to get younger men into the senior positions. In July 1953 ten officers who were trained on the first course were posted to the squadrons.
Squadron Equipment
The initial equipment of an LAA Squadron was as follows:
Item Sqn HQ Flights Remarks
Bren gun x 1 x 14
PIAT x 1 x 2
OQF 40mm Bofors Gun Mk III x 12
Motor Cycle x 4 x 10
Tender 3 ton x 3 x 6
Tender Water 200 gal x 0 x 2 Later amended to 4 x 350 gal
Car 5 cwt 4x4 x 1 x 2
Van 15 cwt canvas tilt x 1 x 2
Tractor Bofors x 0 x 12
The L/60 Bofors guns made available by the Army in 1952 were World War Two vintage weapons. Initially the RNZAF LAA units fired ammunition obtained from the Navy. To tow the guns, 4x4 GMC 'Gun Towing Vehicles' were utilised. A LAA Control Centre (LAACC) was built in a caravan. The LAACC was towed by FWD 5 ton Tender, number MT 4376.
RNZAF Regiment
While the LAA Squadrons were being formed, a proposal to form an RNZAF Regiment in the vein of the RAF Regiment was being discussed. It had apparently been discussed previously both during and immediately after the Second World War however with the formation of the LAA Squadrons it was raised again. Air Staff Minute 806/52 dated 5 November 1952 floated the proposal that the regiment be formed to include all 'General Service' training staff, the LAA Squadrons and all ACH's. The aim was to give them their own identity and to provide the Provost Corps, guards and patrols; and ceremonial guards. A later suggestion added bands to the list.
After much correspondence and numerous meetings, The Chief of Air Staff finally stopped all discussion when he issued a letter on 11 January 1955 stating that it was "not logical or desirable" to form an RNZAF Regiment.
Up and Running
Due to the widely spread nature of the LAA Squadron personnel and their limited training camps the LAA School decided to periodically send out the 'LAA Newsletter' The first one was issued by Flight Lieutenant A.W. Barnard, OC LAA School. He welcomed Flight Lieutenants Dean and Damerell as the newly appointed Squadron Commanders. The expected graduation of the 3rd Intake of the LAA School on 11 September 1953 was reported as was the planned start of the fourth LAA CMT intake the following day. At that time the record for getting a Bofors gun into ' Halt Action' was 48.5 seconds while the preparation to move drill, 'Cease Fire', was 61 seconds.
Once the school began conducting courses and training the squadrons, it was quickly identified that the establishment was insufficient. The addition of an Armament Fitter, a MT Fitter, a Telecommunications Fitter and a MT Mechanic were soon approved but a request for a specialist radio instructor started an ongoing saga.
Up until February 1954 the two LAA Squadrons were being referred to as No 1 & 2 LAA Squadrons however from March of that year all correspondence refers to them as No 51 & 52 LAA Squadrons. The existing files examined during research for this article contained no direction formally changing their titles.
By 1954 the squadrons were regularly receiving new airmen from the LAA School. The School was conducting four different courses each lasting 20 days. The courses were designed to train students to perform the different roles required in a LAA Squadron. The three primary courses were for Gunners, Drivers and Armourers. The fourth course trained the subsidiary trades which included Cooks, Supply Assistants, Nursing Orderlies, Clerks and Radio Assistants.
During their annual summer camps, after a period of refresher training, a series of live shoots were always programmed where they fired their 40mm Bofors using High Explosive shells or a 0.50 inch sub-calibre machine gun fitted to a Bofors gun. Invariably at least one of the shoots was cancelled due to poor weather and increasingly due to the target towing plane being unserviceable. Following a series of no shows by 'Drogue One', by then a very a venerable Avenger, several letters of complaint were raised.
In 1956 the LAA School also had a name change when it became the Light Anti-Aircraft Gunnery Section of No 1 TTS. An additional proposal to separate the LAA School from 1 TTS as its training was not 'technical' was not approved.
Possible Change In Role
In May 1956 correspondence began discussing a possible change in the functions of 51 & 52 Squadrons. It was noted that the RAF LAA squadrons had changed role to highly mobile, infantry style Field Squadrons. It was explained that if this was a requirement for the Malayan theatre, the Far East Air Forces (FEAF) might wish the RNZAF LAA squadrons to re-role as well. It was also noted that a change in role would simplify and reduce the cost of the RNZAF's re-equipment programme.
On May 1956 the RNZAF sought direction from HQ FEAF in Singapore on the future employment of 51 & 52 Squadrons as part of the RNZAF Task Force. No answer other than a polite 'to busy at the moment' is on file. A proposal submitted in August 1956 to form the two LAA Squadrons into a LAA Wing was not approved. In early 1957 a further LAA Gunnery Instructors course was conducted.
The Final Act
With the cancellation of CMT, in mid 1957 an Air Staff Administration Order was issued disbanding the RNZAF Task Force Ancillary Units including the LAA Squadrons WEF 1 October 1957. A short time later Administrative Order 48/57 directed that the LAAG School be disbanded WEF 7 October 1957. Apparently they were in a hurry to close as they subsequently reported that they would be ready to close by 27 September 1957 so the official closure date was amended to 1 October 1957.
References:
National Archives Wellington
Air Department:
1/1/107, RNZAF Regiment. Formation of 11/52 - 1/55.
1/5/7, Organisation: LAA Squadrons 9/51-12/57.
2/1/58, Establishment: Task Force Light AA Squadron 11/52 - 10/57.
20/20/3, Auckland Air Defence Squadron.*
23/1/40, Training: Light Anti-Aircraft Squadrons 1952-57.*
23/95/1, Training: LAA Gunnery Instructors - Policy 1952-57.
23/99/7, Task Force Units Annual Training (LAA Sqns) 1953-57.
243/1, Unit History Sheets, 51 & 52 Sqns, Apr 1956-Feb 1957.*
* Contain photos
