75 (NZ) Squadron C Flight, Lancaster HK601, JN-D

[fwx]

This is my 'Anzac' story - the bits and pieces came together on Wednesday, just took a few days to write it all down.

My Dad was to young to serve (just), but talked a lot about his wartime experiences living in Greenhithe, just across from Whenuapai and Hobsonville. Gerry, his brother, didn't talk so much about his experiences as a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner on Lancasters (as far as I'm aware - he passed away in 1977), but I have memories of the photos on his wall, especially being intrigued by a panoramic full 75 Squadron photo taken in front of (and on top of) a Lancaster. Finding out more is something I've been meaning to do for many years now.

My interest grew stronger after (1) reading "Night After Night", (2) catching up with one of my cousins last year, back out here from the States on holiday, who offered to copy his Dad's 75 (NZ) Sqdn logbook for me, and (3), watching Steve Hatton's excellent film, "Into The Wind".

The real catalyst came in the form of an email, originally from Glen Turner, Secretary / Treasurer of 75 Squadron Association NZ, and forwarded on to me by my cousin, providing information Glen had found about a single op' that had resulted in two of Gerry's crew being decorated.

Just having a starting point of a date, an aircraft, an incident and a list of crew names was enough to start looking, Googling and asking questions. It's amazing what's turned up. It's amazing how easy it was with email and the internet.

One of our own WONZ forum members (although I found him through another website) has been a goldmine of information, generously providing copies of the entries from the 75 Sqdn ORBs for each of Gerry's 32 op's, and other helpful information.

Receiving those spurred my cousin into copying the logbook and some photos, which were passed on to me, and back to the "goldmine" to help him with his database and further research.

And having the logbook entries meant that I could hunt out all sorts of detail about not only Gerry's operations, but his training, units, bases, and individual aircraft flown (photos of several were on the web, including a Bolingbroke currently under restoration in Canada).

In Canada he trained at No. 3 Wireless School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and then at No 2 Bombing And Gunnery School (BAGS), in Mossbank, Saskatchewan.



From logbook: 14 Sep 1943 flew in Noorduyn Norseman 2471, and 24 Sep flew in Fleet Fort 3622

I managed to find a great squadron graduation photo from his No. 3 Wireless School in Winnipeg, September 1943:





Gerry embarked to England in late1943 or early 1944, intially training on Ansons at RAF Mona, (Heneglwys), Isle Of Anglesey, Wales, with No. 8 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit.

He crewed up in June 1944, when he was posted to No.12 OTU Chipping Warden, and Edgehill, training on Wellington III's and Wellington X's (they managed to crash one!), and going on to 1657 Conversion Unit at Stradishall, flying Stirling III's.

We have a nice photo of the crew taken at Stradishall, minus the Flight Engineer, Douglas Williamson:



Inscription on back: My crew at Stradishall flying Stirlings, Oct 1944. L-R: Ralph Sparrow, Rear Gunner; John Wood, Pilot; Jim Hooper, Bomb / Aimer; Jack Cash, Mid/Upper Gunner; Jack Pauling, Navigator; Gerry Newey, Wireless Op

Note that the Flight Engineer, Douglas Williamson is not in this photo as he had not yet joined the crew – the RNZAF did not train Flight Engineers, they were provided by the RAF, from specialist training schools in the UK.

The crew then did Lancaster Finishing School at Feltwell (only 4 days!) before being posted to 75 (NZ) Squadron 'C' Flight at Mepal, on 2 December 1944.

Gerry and his crew flew 31 more or less incident-free op's, including the Dresden raid, recording only one air-to-air combat.



From the logbook: 1 March 1945, flew in Lancaster B.I HK554, JN-F

- photo from thescale.info

Details of the individual trips are fascinating; bomb loads, bombing methods, weather conditions, flak levels, radio problems, visibility problems from their own contrails, etc., etc.

Here is the Squadron photo I remember hanging on the wall, taken at Mepal, probably in March 1945:



The incident that gave us the original information happened on their very last op, their 32nd, an attack on the Leuna synthetic fuel plant at Merseburg, almost at the end of the European war.

I have found several versions but first here is the version that we originally received from Glen:

Attack of Merseburg, by 21 aircraft, by 75 (NZ) Sqn RAF from RAF Mepal, 4/5 April 1945.

The aircraft was #HK601, JN-D.
T/Off Mepal, 1832 hrs. Landed at Manston, 0202 hrs.

Order of battle Form 540, states that "... JN-D, was hit by flak before reaching the target. The Bomb Aimer (F/S Hooper) was burned, and the fires were extinguished by F/S Pauling, whilst the Flight Engineer (Sgt Williamson) apparently fell through the M.U.G. turret. Sgt Williamson was standing next to the pilot on the bombing run, when flak pierced the de-icing tank directly beneath him. He managed to move aft and grab a parachute before falling through a gun hatch opening. He evaded capture, was released by US troops and returned to England ".
F/O Wood flew the aircraft back to England. Wood and Pauling were awarded immediate DFC and DFM respectively.

From the ORB: Aircraft hit by flak in target area. Flak pierced de-icing tank causing fire which destroyed several leads including heating to A.S.I. Pilot and Air Bomber recieved slight burns. Flight Engineer believed fell through mid under gun turret. Bombs jettisioned 51 51N 11 03E from 19,000 feet at 22:30 hours. Landed at Manston.

This version from NEW ZEALANDERS WITH THE ROYAL AIR FORCE (VOL. II) CHAPTER 16 - THE LAST PHASE: Flying Officer Wood and his crew had an unenviable experience during the raid on Merseburg. Over the city their Lancaster was hit in the nose by flak and set on fire. Although some of his flying instruments were smashed and he was almost blinded by smoke, Wood managed to keep control, even when flames reached his seat and burnt his face and hands. The navigator, Flight Sergeant Pauling, fought his way through the flames to extinguish the bomb aimer's burning clothing and then put out the fire with his bare hands. Pauling's charts and logs were destroyed, but he worked out a course for the return flight and Wood flew the Lancaster back and made a safe landing.

(- no mention of poor Williamson!)

From Gerry's logbook:



The crew was: Flying Officer John Henry Thomas WOOD, RNZAF, NZ426235, Pilot; Flight Sergeant (Warrant Officer) John Austin White (Jack) PAULING, RNZAF, NZ422976, Navigator; Flight Sergeant Noel Ridley (Jim) HOOPER, RAF, 1336483, 196925, Bomb / Aimer; Flight Sergeant Albert John Tipping (Jack) CASH, RCAF, R147817, Mid/Upper Gunner; Sgt Douglas Bannerman WILLIAMSON, RAF, , Flight Engineer; Flight Sergeant Ralph Charles SPARROW, RCAF, R1263518, Rear Gunner; Flight Sergeant Gerald (Gerry) NEWEY, RNZAF, NZ425285, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner.

They flew 19 of their 32 op's in the same plane, HK601, JN-D, and she brought them home safely every time.

And the Flight Engineer who fell out of the aircraft, Sgt Douglas Williamson, is apparently still with us today, and living here in NZ.

There is more detail, and probably more to come, but I just want to thank the people like Glen, Wayne, Dee, and many others here, who do such a great job of keeping the history alive. Many of us want to remember and pay respect to that generation, and there is a lot of pride and satisfaction in re-discovering their stories and accomplishments.

Thank you, Chris.

[ErrolC]

Thanks for sharing your research, a good read.

[Dave Homewood]

Very interesting stuff. Thanks for posting this. I like that squadron photo!

[chinapilot]

Great read - thanks!

[gunny]

I'd love to hear more as Sgt Douglas Williamson is my 2nd uncle.
Gunny (Phill R Williamson)

[nwinsley]

I am fascinated by this. I am fairly certain my late father Harry Winsley use to mention a chap by the name of Doug Williamson as someone that he flew with during the war. I think he said Doug use to live somewhere in the Wellington region, maybe Hutt valley. Don't suppose that would be the same one would it? If so, would love to get in touch with him or any of his relatives.

Neville Winsley

[fwx]

The original email from Glen Turner was to "Douglas and Janet Williamson", so I have an email address, and its a New Zealand address. I will make contact and mention your interest, as well as mine!
If he's happy to talk about it, I would love to hear in Douglas's own words, how he fell out of the plane. Apparently the Mid Under Gunner turrets were either removed or not in use by that stage of the war. I guess the turret, or blank covering the hole where it used to be, must have been damaged in the action.
Cheers, Chris

[fwx]

Gunny (Phill), do you mean more about that incident or more about your uncle's op's?

Neville, presume then your Dad was with 75 (NZ) Sqdn, do you have his logbook or any other history of that period?

Cheers, Chris

[fwx]

Bloody hell, this is amazing!

I just had a phone call from Douglas Williamson, the Flight Engineer who fell out of the Lancaster. He is living here in Auckland with his wife Janet. In fact, used to live in Devonport not far from me!

He is a gently spoken Scot, says my uncle Gerry was "a great guy", and told me "The last time I saw Gerry, I was showing him the way out; the plane was full of flames .." ..!!!

By the time Douglas made his way back to England at the end of the war the Squadron had disbanded and the guys had all gone. He was put through some kind of repatriated POW institution, and lost contact with his crew.

He said that my contact out of the blue was a complete shock to him!

He has written a book about his life, "Aimless Wanderings", which includes a section on his exit from the Lancaster - he says it's in the local Devonport Library, so I'm off down there to borrow a copy.

Better than that, he and his wife suggested we catch up, so on Tuesday they are going to come over and we are having coffee at a local cafe!

He is interested in any information we've found, as he lost his logbook as a result of his incident, so I will take copies of everything we've got so far relating to the crew, to give to him.

I'm still getting over the shock ...!

[gunny]

I stand corrected the Doug Williamson refered to here must be another.
As you were

[fwx]

Cheers Phill, just found out he is Douglas Bannerman Williamson, from Edinburgh. Emigrated first to Canada, then to New Zealand.

[Dave Homewood]

Great work Chris.

[nwinsley]

Great work alright. Think the DW I was referring to above may be different then, unless this chap did live in the Wellington region before Auckland. My father mostly flew on Sunderlands but I beleive prior to that was flying bombers - few other details unfortunately.

[strikemaster]

That's a great read. Really enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm in your quest. I'm working on my Granddad's service record atm and know how daunting it can be. Well done.

[fwx]

Thanks strikemaster, its pretty exciting, and the family is excited about it too - Gerry was one of thirteen so there are plenty of us! I can't get over the fact that only 10 days after we started looking for any information about the crew, I will be sitting down for coffee with one of them!

[sparrow]

Great story,really enjoying it,be sure to keep us posted.

[fwx]

Just a quick update - had a really nice catch-up with Douglas Wiliamson and his wife Janet this morning.

Doug has a pin-sharp memory, but there was never going to be enough time to talk about everything, so we will save some for another day, hopefully soon.

The definitive story of his exit from the fiery Lancaster is in his book, which I have on reserve from the libary. Douglas only has 3 copies left so I didn't want to accept one of his.

However he didn't fall from the aircraft, it was a definite attempt to escape what he thought was a plane on fire and on its way down. He was not wearing his oxygen mask when the flak hit (he was eating chocolate!) and being right beside the pilot, was right next to the little fountain of ethylene glycol from the punctured de-icing tank, and saw the fire start down in the bomb aimer's position.

The bomb aimer apparently tried to open his hatch to escape as the fire worsened, and as a result a sudden sheet of flame shot up past Doug, and forced him back, grabbing a parachute on the way. He then collapsed over the mainspar. He thinks the lack of oxygen played a part, because he lay there for a while, feeling out of it, and wondering where the others were. The mid-under gunner's turret had been removed on that plane, leaving an open hole, and he pulled himself out through that.

He did catch up with two of the crew after the war, Wood and Pauling, attending Wood's wedding.

He and Janet were very appreciative of the folder of stuff that I gave them, especially the logbook copies, which he went through one by one, remembering individual trips and situations.

They emigrated to NZ in 1974, so were living in Auckland while my uncle was still alive - what a shame they didn't get together. They lived only 4 streets away from where I am now and their two boys went to the same primary school as my two boys!

Douglas applied to attend the Bomber Command Memorial unveiling in June (and following 75 Sqdn reunion), however he doesn't qualify as he was RAF, not RNZAF. Seems very mean of us taxpayers ...! The badge he is wearing in the photo is NZ Bomber Command Association.



What a nice man, what a great experience to meet him. Wow.

By the way Neville, he DID live in Wellington for a time, before moving back to Auckland. He doesn't remember your Dad's name, however if you have a pic or other info that might help?

[strikemaster]

Get the story into the media, one RAF chap down south looks like he is already attending thanks to local donations and support. There are always options.

Its a small world, innit?

[fwx]

Thanks strikemaster, I think Douglas's case may be even stronger than John Beeching's, since he flew with 75 (NZ) Sqdn, with a crew that included 3 Kiwis. I would have to check as I'm not sure if Douglas would be happy about a fuss, however I am making enquiries ...

[strikemaster]

Good job, mate. And good luck.