looking for info re: service man

[gazzafloyd]

Hi All
My name is Garry and new here.

I am looking for any info anyone can help me out with regarding my recently deceased Grandad.
He was with 75 squadron and flew Lancaster's, I have the bare bone of his service record but am after operational info. I think I know he flew 30 opps out of Feltwell, culminating in raids to support the Battle of the Bulge but even that I know little about.

I plan on trying the MOD in the UK to see what they have on record and have been in touch with Glen Turner @ "75 ass"

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Name and details as follows
RENNER, NELSON KEITH HALDANE.
NZ4215892,
FLT SGT,
NAVIGATOR,
RNZAF,
75(NZ)SQN RAF,
1944.

Thanks Garry

Ps: I have been Scaning Grandad's photos, I have posted them on Flickr please have a look comments welcome

www.flickr.com/photos/50176066@N05/sets/72157626133144184/

[errolmartyn]

Garry,

Notes courtesy research by David Duxbury:
RENNER, Flight Sergeant Nelson Keith Haldane, RNZAF. (Last name Hadlow?)
NZ4215892 (70171) Navigator 75 Sqn 10 September 1944 to 8 January 1945. Crewed with F/O C T Spain, on ops 20/9 – 21/12/44, then posted to 105 OTU as instructor, then to 511 Sqn, 1332 HCU, 511 Sqn, 246 Sqn, 511 Sqn; to 12 PD&RC (date?), disembarked NZ X/X/46, tfd to Reserve (date?) Commissioned in rank of P/O w.e.f. 29/3/45, to F/O w.e.f. 29/9/45. [of Lower Hutt]

The UK MoD will not be able to provide the op info you seek. However, copies of 75 Sqn Operational Record Books (ORBs) are held at Archives NZ in Wellington and at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch. There may be others on this forum who have already extracted the neccesary info from the ORBs that can help, alternatively go to the RAF Commands forum at rafcommands.com

Errol

[gazzafloyd]

Thanks Errol

Good to know that MOD is not gona ba able to help, but the other stuff is great, I did not know about the ORB's.

Of course if anyone else has more that would be great.

Thanks Garry

Attachments:

[gazzafloyd]

Hi Errol

Is there any way of finding out any of the operational details eg specific opps. Was he involved with the bulge?

Thanks

[errolmartyn]

Garry,

The ORBs should provide you with the ops info you seek, but particpation in the Battle of the Bulge by your granddad seems unlikely, given that his last op appears to have been on 21 Dec 44 and that the weather did not sufficiently clear for Bomber Command ops over the battle area until 26 Dec 44, when a large scale raid was made against German troop positions near St Vith.

Errol

[gazzafloyd]

Thank again Errol,

You are clearly the man to talk to and this is all very good to know, my understanding is that it was to disrupt the German supply lines Prior to the main counter attack not the actual Battle.

If this is a little white/Grey lie by Grandad then so be it I still think what he did was amazing.


Also found a referance to the canal at Westkapelle which also talks about Lancaster PB.427 do we know anything abou this?

Also is there any info you have on his Flight Officer Charles Spain?

What do I have to do to get a look/copy of the relevant ORB's?

Garry

[errolmartyn]

Garry,

Re Spain (also via David Duxbury):
SPAIN, Pilot Officer (Flying Officer) Charles Thomas, RAFVR (& crew).
921159, 178068 Pilot 75 Sqn 10 September 1944 to X January 1945. Crew members were; N) F/Sgt N K H Renner; AB) F/Sgt L C James; WOp) F/Sgt L P Bergman RAAF; FE) Sgt D McNeil; MUG) Sgt J Dickinson; RG) Sgt J (Steve) Chamberlain. Crew on ops 20/9 – 21/12/44. Appointed to commission in rank of P/O w.e.f. 23/6/44 (ex Sgt), to F/O w.e.f. 23/12/44; still in 4/46 RAF List (nil decorations).

Re ORBs - you could visit Archives NZ in Wellington or visit or contact the Air Force Museum in Christchurch.

Errol