Info sought regarding 75 Sqn air combat 1943

[phasselgren]

Hi,

On the night 8/9 October 1942 the crew flying Stirling III, EF512/AA-A of No.75 Sqn claimed to have probably destroyed a Bf 109 and damaged a Bf 110. Pilot was F/Sgt R. Spiers, RNZAF, Mid-upper gunner was Sgt E. Feather and Rear gunner Sgt John Edgar Clift, RNZAF, NZ422690. Unfortunately there are no details about the combat in the Operational Record Book and there are no surviving Combat Reports.

Is there anyone who has a logbook from a crewmember or any other information about these claims? I want to know which air gunner were responsible for each claim or were these claims shared between them. Clift was killed in 1944 but Spiers survived the war. There was also another RNZAF crewmember: Navigator F/O John Herbert Wain, DFC, NZ421945 (he was also killed in 1944). Info about Clift and Wain comes from “For Your Tomorrow, Vol3” by Errol Martyn.

Thanks in advance,
Peter

[phasselgren]

Dave,

Is the John Edgar Clift, RNZAF, NZ422690 the same as J E Clift in the list of Cambridge airmen?

Peter

[Dave Homewood]

Hi Peter,

That is a possibility. Unfortunately i do not have any further information on the Cambridge-related J.E. Clift apart from the fact that a J.E. Clift from Cambridge was allegedly in the wartime RNZAF. I'd like to know more now on this air gunner.

[errolmartyn]

Dave/Peter,

There was only one J E Clift in the RNZAF, and he was born at Cambridge, England on 13 Sep 22. He came to New Zealand when aged 17 and was employed as a farm hand on Glentui Station, Waipawa prior to enlistment.

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks, it is likely a red herring then regarding my project. The thing is I cannot recall where the reference to him was that I found. It may well have said he was born at Cambridge and being RNZAF I wrongly assumed in NZ. Although it is surprising how many people who were born in Cambridge in England have gravitated to Cambridge NZ after immigrating here. So who knows?

[phasselgren]

Errol/Dave

A late thank you for your replies (I have been away from home).

Peter

[oggie2620]

Might be worth asking Glen to ask Bob Moore if he knows anything. If you dont get any answer let me know (hes a very busy bunny at the moment what with worth and travelling all over the country to visith 75 Sqn veterans and getting involved with helping the NZBCA...) and I will talk to Bob for you.

[phasselgren]

Thank you, I will send an email to Glen.