Operation: Hamburg

Date: 28/29th July 1942 (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Unit: No. 75 (NZ) Squadron (motto: Ake ake kia kaha - For ever and ever be strong'). 3 Group

Type: Wellington III

Serial: X3664

Code: AA-V

Base: RAF Feltwell, Norfolk/

Location: Stade, Germany

Pilot. Fl/Lt. Peter John Wilson NZ/402475 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Victor Kenneth Westerman NZ/41970 RNZAF Age 24. Killed

Obs: Sgt. Robert Hylton Brisco NZ/411204 RNZAF Age 26. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Alan Campbell NZ/391857 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Ronald Fraser Davis NZ/403569 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Gordon Edwin Caitcheon NZ/404016 RNZAF Age 28. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

From 75 squadron ORB 27/28 July 1942:

'Seventeen aircraft were detailed to carry out an attack on the above target. Bomb load of 4,000lbs, 30lb and 4lb incendiaries was dropped in target area and bursts were seen in dock area.

Ani-aircffta fire was very accurate, light heavy predicted. Searchlights in cones were numerous. One JU88 was seen near target. There was 10/10 cloud in parts but clear over target.. Navigation by TR and DR was good. Six aircraft failed to return'.

Wellington III X3558 Fl/Sgt. Alexander George Sutherland NZ/405340 RNZAF hit by flak at 01:46 hrs with the loss of the complete crew of 5.

Wellington X3452: Sgt. Charles Croall MBE NZ/41627 RNZAF hit by flak at 01:57 hrs. with 1 killed and 4 PoW.

Wellington BJ599 Fl/Sgt. George Alister Hutt NZ/41914 hit by flak at 01:26 hrs with all 5 crew killed,

Wellington Z1578 Sq/Ldr. John Henry Franks DFC 86720 RAFVR night fighter Lt. Wolfgang Kuthe of 5./NJG2 at 03:04 hrs. all 5 crew missing - believed killed. DFC awarded in July 1941 whilst with 149 squadron)

Wellington BJ661: Fl/Sgt. John Edward Gilbertson NZ/41894 RNZAF shot dow by Lt. August Geiger of 8./NJG1 at 02:35 hrs. with 3 killed and 2 PoW. Further details here.

Above: Courtesy Kracker Luftwaffe Archives.

Wellington III X3664 was hit by 2./schw. Flak Abt. 601 and 2. and 3./schw Flak Abt. 607 (Grossbatterie Fischbeck), at 01:34 hrs. Aircraft crashed at Neugraben-Hohenwisch near Stade, Germany killing all the New Zealand crew.

The remains aircraft returned safely by 05:30 hrs but a terrible day for 75 squadron.

Burial and further details:

Fl/Lt. Peter John Wilson Becklingen War Cemetery. Collective. grave 14. F. 12-14. Born on the 12th September 1919 in London, England. Educated at the Dannevirke High School. Employed as a motor mechanic by the Hawkes Bay Farmers Co-op. Association, Dannevirke. Underwent his flying training at No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood and No. 2 Flying Training School, Woodbourne.

Awarded his wings whilst at Woodbourne on the 14th April 1941, and was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer a month later. Embarked for England on the 'Awatea' on the 15th June, 1941, arriving at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth at the end of July. He commenced operational training on Wellington at No: 22 Operational Training Unit, Wellesbourne-Mountford, Warwickshire on the 3rd August 1941. On the completion of the course in October, 1941, he proceeded to 405 Squadron, Pocklington, Yorkshire. Early in December, he was posted to No» 75 (NZ) Squadron, Feltwell, Norfolk. On the 24th May, 1942 he was promoted to Flying Officer, and two months later to Flight Lieutenant. 35 operational sorties carried out and accrude 520 flying hours.

Son of John Wilson and Elsie Maud Wilson (died 07th February 1981), of Woodville, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

Fl/Sgt. Victor Kenneth Westerman. Becklingen War Cemetery. Collective. grave 14. F. 12-14, Born on the 10th April 1920 in Hastings, Hawkes Bay. Employed in his father's drapery business in Hastings. applied for enrolment in the Civil Reserve of Pilots in the United Kingdom, arriving at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 29th September, 1941.

After a period at No. 14 Beam Approach Training School, Coningsby, Lincolnshire, He commenced operational training on Wellington aircraft at No. 1l Operational Training Unit, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire late in October. On the 01st June, 1942, he was promoted to Flight Sergeant. On the 17th July, F/Sgt. Westerman proceeded to No. 75 (NZ) Squadron, Feltwell, Norfolk. From this base, as second pilot onWellington aircraft, he carried out a number of operational flights over enemy territory. He had accrued 332 flying hours.

Son of Ernest Alfred (died 23rd February 1954, age ,75) age and Janet Westerman (died 09th August 1952, age 74) of 302 Southampton Street, Hastings, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. Educated at at the Matamata District High School. Employed by B. F. Cordy, Masterton, as a shepherd.

Sgt. Robert Hylton Brisco. Becklingen War Cemetery. Collective. grave 14. F. 12-14. Born on the 24th May 1916 in Awamutu. Educated at Matamata District High School. Employed by B. F. Cordy, Masterton, as a shepherd. Applied for aircrew training in March, 1940, but did not enter camp until February, 1941, when he reported at the Ground Training School, Levin. On the 29th April, he embarked for Canada for training as an Air Observer under the Empire Air Training Scheme. In Canada he trained at No. 6 Air Observers' School, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School, Dafoe, in the same province.

He was awarded his air observer's badge and promoted to Sergeant on the 15th September, and the same day proceeded to No. 1 Advanced Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba. Early in November, 1941, he embarked for England, arriving at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, a fortnight later. In December he proceeded to 23 Operational Training Unit, Pershore, Worcestershire, for training as a Navigator on Wellington aircraft. Late in April, 1942, he was posted to No. 75 (NZ) Squadron, Feltwell, Norfolk, From Feltwell he carried out a total of 19 raids as a navigator on Wellington aircraft. Accrude 372 hrs. as Air Observer.

Son of Sir Hylton Musgrave Campbell Brisco (died 08th January 1968, age 81) and Lady Kathleen Brisco, (née McAllum - died April 1982, age 88) of Hunterville, Wellington, New Zealand. His father retired farmer, late of Windsor Avenue, Hastings. In 1957 he became the 7th baronet of Crofton Place, a British title created in 1782, upon the death of his American first cousin Sir Hylton Aubrey Brisco.

Fl/Sgt. Alan Campbell Becklingen War Cemetery. Collective. grave 14. F. 12-14. Born on the 27th December, 1913 in Whangarei. Educated at the Mata Mata High School. Employed as an electrician by A.W. Robson, Morrinsville. Applied for enlistment in the ground staff in October, 1939, but two months later he applied for aircrew training. Entered camp in October, 1940, reporting at the Ground Training School, Levin, In January, 1941, he embarked on the 'Empress of Russia' for Canada. In Canada he trained at No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec, and No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School, Paulson, Manitoba.

He was awarded his air gunner's badge and promoted to Sergeant on the 15th September, 1941. mbarked forEngland, arriving at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth early in October. On the 20th December, 1941, he commenced operational training on Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft at No. 60 Operational Training Unit, East Fortune, East Lothian. At the end of February, 1942, he proceeded to No. 3 Gunnery Training Flight, Newmarket, Suffolk for training on Wellington aircraft. On the completion of the course in March, he was posted to No. 75 (NZ) Squadron, Feltwell, Norfolk. 50 operational sorties completed and had accrued 410 flying hours as air gunner.

Son of John (died May 1974) and Mary Hannah Campbell (died 28th October 1977), of Beach Road, Hawera, Taranaki, New Zealand.

Fl/Sgt. Ronald Fraser Davis. Becklingen War Cemetery. Collective. grave 14. F. 12-14. Born on the 11th April 1920 at Oamaru. Educated at Mosgiel District High School. Enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, on the 29th September 1940, and embarked November, to No.2 Wireless School, Calgary, Alberta, and then on the 26th April 1941, to No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, MacDonald, Manitoba. Here, on the 26th May.

He was awarded the Wireless Operator Air Gunner badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. While in the United Kingdom, on the 1st April 1942, he was further promoted to Flight Sergeant. Meantime, late in May 1941, he had proceeded to No.1 'M' Depot, Debert, Nova Scotia, for embarkation to England. Arrivea at No.3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, on the 17th July, and was posted later the same month to No.1 Signals School, Cranwell, Lincolnshire, for a refresher course, and then on the 14th October to 19 Operational Training Unit, Kinloss, Scotland. Here he crewed up and completed his training on Wellington bomber aircraft, before joining No. 75 Squadron at Feltwell, Norfolk, for operational flying. No details on total operational sorties.

Son of Charles Allan Davis (died 25th October 1926, age 37 ), and of Elizabeth McEwan Davis (died 09th November 1961, age 80), of Outram, Otago, New Zealand.

Sgt. Gordon Edwin Caitcheon. Becklingen War Cemetery. Collective. grave 14. F. 12-14. Born on the 27th December, 1913. at Whangarei. Educated at Mata Mata High School. Employed asa electrician by A.W. Robson, Morrinsville. Applied for enlistment in the ground staff in October, 1939, but two months later he applied for aircrew training. He entered camp in October, 1940, reporting at the Ground Training School, Levin, In January, 1941, he embarked on the 'Empress of Russia' for Canada. In Canada he trained at No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec, and No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School, Pauls, Manitoba.

Awarded his airgunner's badge and promoted to Sergeant on the 15th September, 1941. Embarked for England, arriving at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth early in October. On the 20th December, 1941, he commenced operational training on Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft at 60 Operational Training Unit, East Fortune, East Lothian. At the end of February, 1942, he proceeded to 3 Training Flight, Newmarket, Suffolk for training on Wellington aircraft. On the completion of the course in March, he was posted to No. 75 (NZ) Squadron, Feltwell, Norfolk. Completed numerous operational sorties over targets in Germany and accruing 234 hrs. as Air Gunner.

Son of William Gordon Caitcheon (died 1960, age 74) and of Ivy May Caitcheon (née Beresford. married in 1912 - died 08th July 1973, age 82), of Morrinsville, Auckland, New Zealand.f

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, New Zealand Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, National Archive Kew. AIR- 27-646-12/13, Wings Over New Zealand, 75 Squadron Website.Kracker Luftwaffe Archives.

Other sources as quoted below:

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