Post by fwx on Apr 10, 2016 21:48:17 GMT 12
A minor mystery that is bugging me - W/C Edward George "Ted" Olson was posted in as Commanding Officer on 6 April 1942, the day after the loss of CO Sawrey-Cookson on 5 April. Olson had previously been working in the UK as NZ Liaison Officer at the Air Ministry, but according to the Form 540, was posted in from RAF Marham.
A newspaper account of the time (see below, dated 23 April 42) states that Olson flew four op's before he joined 75, at least one to Lubeck with W/C Trevor Freeman (presumably 28 March 42), himself an ex-75er. Freeman was CO of 115 Squadron at the time, so perhaps Olson flew those op's with 115 Sqdn? Was he working up to an operational posting after his stint behind a desk? Was he already tagged as a replacement for Sawrey-Cookson, given the well-documented morale issues at 75 around this time? The fact that he was posted in to 75 the day after Sawrey-Cookson was lost seems incredibly quick??
I wonder if it's possible that Olson was a 'guest' of Freeman's at 115 - the two had known each other since training days in NZ, Olson was in a senior position at the Air Ministry, and there seems to have been a Kiwi network in the upper ranks of the RAF. As can be seen in the photo below, Freeman was a regular visitor at 75 (he was there again on 7 August with Isitt and Nash), and flew at least one op' with 75 as a 'guest' pilot in September that year.
The article also implies that Olson flew op's with 75 (NZ) Squadron, listing his crew as including Pilot Cecil Ball, Navigator Bill Bridget and Rear Gunner Reg Clark; all usually members of the Ball crew.
The citation for his DSO (dated 15 April 1943) says:
Group Captain Olson is a most experienced pilot who has completed nearly 4000 hours. Until August 1942 he was in command of a squadron where he frequently took part in operations. Since then his wide knowledge of flying and firm but tactful handling of men have been displayed most effectively in command of a Bomber Station. By his efforts he has raised its operational standard to a high level.
His obituary states that he flew on the 1000 Bomber Raid on Cologne, which took place on 30/31 May 1942, while he was at 75, but his name doesn't appear on any crew list for that op'.
The Ball crew flew regular op's through this May-June 42 period, but none list Olson. Olson is noted in the Form 540 through the same period as Captain flying several night flying tests and training flights, but in most cases Cecil Ball is also listed, flying a different a/c. Olson then disappears from recorded training flights. He was posted out on 30 July 1942.
In fact despite the citation stating "he frequently took part in operations", I can't find a record of Olson flying any op's with 75? Did his Wellington op's all happen at 115? Did his health issues stop his flying career while still at 75?
If anyone has access to either Olson's or Freeman's logbooks, or the logbook of a member of the Ball crew, or the 115 Sqdn ORB's, or more detail on Olson's career, it would be great to know where he flew his op's, if in fact there were any during his time at 75, if so, which ones, and why they are not recorded in the ORBs?
THEY'RE KEEPING THE SILVER FERN FLYING
NZ. BOMB SQUADRON
Telling Blows At The Heart Of Germany
Special Correspondent. United Press Association.—Copyright.
Rec. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, April 23
The New Zealand Bomber Squadron (No. 75) is again becoming New Zealand in fact as well as in name. Coinciding with the appointment of Wing-Commander E. G. Olson, of New Plymouth, as new commanding officer, New Zealand personnel in the flying crews has increased to 70 per cent and will shortly amount to 100 per cent. This is due in no small extent to the energetic organisation of the air liaison officer. Squadron Leader John Gamble, of Wellington.
During the period in which Group Captain M. W. Buckley and Wing Commander C. E. Kay were with the squadron it established a reputation for efficiency and an excellent record which were recognised by Bomber Command. Somehow or
other, after their departure the New Zealand personnel dwindled in numbers and the squadron spirit fell off until New Zealanders openly admitted that they preferred being posted elsewhere.
It is difficult to explain the reason for this, but it is a fact. However, with the appointment of Wing-Commander Olson all that was changed. The fact that the squadron has carried out 10 raids since his appointment, without losing a single aircraft, given an immense fillip to the entire squadron, so that the tradition which Group Captain Buckley established is beginning to live again.
Excellent Squadron Leaders
Wing-Commander Olson has two excellent flight commanders, Squadron-Leader R. J. Newton, of Christchurch, and Flight-Lieutenant F. H. Denton, D.F.C., of Greymouth. Wing Commander Olson carried out four raids before taking command, bombing Lubeck, Cologne, Poissy and Essen. He was accompanied by Wing-Commander T. O. Freeman, of Dunedin, for his first raid, which was Lubeck.
There is an interesting coincidence in this flight, for nine years ago Wing-Commander Olson gave Wing-Commander Freeman his first training on the Taieri. Wing-Commander Freeman returned the compliment by giving Wing Commander Olson his first operation experience. They dive-bombed Lubeck and then remained taking photographs, which turned out to be the best taken that night, with the result that they were published in English national papers.
The crew for the raid comprised two wing-commanders, a squadron leader, two flight-lieutenants and one pilot-officer. Members of the crew enjoyed Wing-Commander Olson's dry comments. He said little, but occasionally asked, "What's that? Flak?" Then a few moments later, when he heard the crump of an explosion, he would add, "Yes, that be flak."
During a raid on the Ruhr a cone of searchlights held Wing-Commander Olson's aircraft for several minutes. This was the most unpleasant experience, but his Wellington flew out safely. His crew includes Flight Lieutenant C. Ball, of Hamilton, Pilot-Officer W. Bridget, of Christchurch, and Pilot-Officer R. L. Clarke, of Napier, all of whom are on their second tour or operations.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The photo below must have been taken around the same time as this article:
A newspaper account of the time (see below, dated 23 April 42) states that Olson flew four op's before he joined 75, at least one to Lubeck with W/C Trevor Freeman (presumably 28 March 42), himself an ex-75er. Freeman was CO of 115 Squadron at the time, so perhaps Olson flew those op's with 115 Sqdn? Was he working up to an operational posting after his stint behind a desk? Was he already tagged as a replacement for Sawrey-Cookson, given the well-documented morale issues at 75 around this time? The fact that he was posted in to 75 the day after Sawrey-Cookson was lost seems incredibly quick??
I wonder if it's possible that Olson was a 'guest' of Freeman's at 115 - the two had known each other since training days in NZ, Olson was in a senior position at the Air Ministry, and there seems to have been a Kiwi network in the upper ranks of the RAF. As can be seen in the photo below, Freeman was a regular visitor at 75 (he was there again on 7 August with Isitt and Nash), and flew at least one op' with 75 as a 'guest' pilot in September that year.
The article also implies that Olson flew op's with 75 (NZ) Squadron, listing his crew as including Pilot Cecil Ball, Navigator Bill Bridget and Rear Gunner Reg Clark; all usually members of the Ball crew.
The citation for his DSO (dated 15 April 1943) says:
Group Captain Olson is a most experienced pilot who has completed nearly 4000 hours. Until August 1942 he was in command of a squadron where he frequently took part in operations. Since then his wide knowledge of flying and firm but tactful handling of men have been displayed most effectively in command of a Bomber Station. By his efforts he has raised its operational standard to a high level.
His obituary states that he flew on the 1000 Bomber Raid on Cologne, which took place on 30/31 May 1942, while he was at 75, but his name doesn't appear on any crew list for that op'.
The Ball crew flew regular op's through this May-June 42 period, but none list Olson. Olson is noted in the Form 540 through the same period as Captain flying several night flying tests and training flights, but in most cases Cecil Ball is also listed, flying a different a/c. Olson then disappears from recorded training flights. He was posted out on 30 July 1942.
In fact despite the citation stating "he frequently took part in operations", I can't find a record of Olson flying any op's with 75? Did his Wellington op's all happen at 115? Did his health issues stop his flying career while still at 75?
If anyone has access to either Olson's or Freeman's logbooks, or the logbook of a member of the Ball crew, or the 115 Sqdn ORB's, or more detail on Olson's career, it would be great to know where he flew his op's, if in fact there were any during his time at 75, if so, which ones, and why they are not recorded in the ORBs?
THEY'RE KEEPING THE SILVER FERN FLYING
NZ. BOMB SQUADRON
Telling Blows At The Heart Of Germany
Special Correspondent. United Press Association.—Copyright.
Rec. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, April 23
The New Zealand Bomber Squadron (No. 75) is again becoming New Zealand in fact as well as in name. Coinciding with the appointment of Wing-Commander E. G. Olson, of New Plymouth, as new commanding officer, New Zealand personnel in the flying crews has increased to 70 per cent and will shortly amount to 100 per cent. This is due in no small extent to the energetic organisation of the air liaison officer. Squadron Leader John Gamble, of Wellington.
During the period in which Group Captain M. W. Buckley and Wing Commander C. E. Kay were with the squadron it established a reputation for efficiency and an excellent record which were recognised by Bomber Command. Somehow or
other, after their departure the New Zealand personnel dwindled in numbers and the squadron spirit fell off until New Zealanders openly admitted that they preferred being posted elsewhere.
It is difficult to explain the reason for this, but it is a fact. However, with the appointment of Wing-Commander Olson all that was changed. The fact that the squadron has carried out 10 raids since his appointment, without losing a single aircraft, given an immense fillip to the entire squadron, so that the tradition which Group Captain Buckley established is beginning to live again.
Excellent Squadron Leaders
Wing-Commander Olson has two excellent flight commanders, Squadron-Leader R. J. Newton, of Christchurch, and Flight-Lieutenant F. H. Denton, D.F.C., of Greymouth. Wing Commander Olson carried out four raids before taking command, bombing Lubeck, Cologne, Poissy and Essen. He was accompanied by Wing-Commander T. O. Freeman, of Dunedin, for his first raid, which was Lubeck.
There is an interesting coincidence in this flight, for nine years ago Wing-Commander Olson gave Wing-Commander Freeman his first training on the Taieri. Wing-Commander Freeman returned the compliment by giving Wing Commander Olson his first operation experience. They dive-bombed Lubeck and then remained taking photographs, which turned out to be the best taken that night, with the result that they were published in English national papers.
The crew for the raid comprised two wing-commanders, a squadron leader, two flight-lieutenants and one pilot-officer. Members of the crew enjoyed Wing-Commander Olson's dry comments. He said little, but occasionally asked, "What's that? Flak?" Then a few moments later, when he heard the crump of an explosion, he would add, "Yes, that be flak."
During a raid on the Ruhr a cone of searchlights held Wing-Commander Olson's aircraft for several minutes. This was the most unpleasant experience, but his Wellington flew out safely. His crew includes Flight Lieutenant C. Ball, of Hamilton, Pilot-Officer W. Bridget, of Christchurch, and Pilot-Officer R. L. Clarke, of Napier, all of whom are on their second tour or operations.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The photo below must have been taken around the same time as this article:
