The First Flight

The First Flight contains the little-known story of the New Zealand Squadron, a small ferry flight unit set up in England by the RNZAF in 1939 to fly brand new Wellington bomber aircraft half way round the world to New Zealand.

With war clouds gathering, the New Zealand government had launched a bold plan to re-organise and expand the country’s long-neglected air defences, based on the work of a Royal Air Force technical advisor, Wing Commander Ralph Cochrane. His vision was to build the new RNZAF around two long range reconnaissance and strike squadrons, and for this, 30 of Britain’s most up-to-date bomber aircraft needed to be purchased and delivered from the other side of the world. Led by three of the country’s most respected aviation pioneers, a team of pilots and technicians was assembled in England to fly the Wellingtons out to New Zealand, six at a time.

Meanwhile, back in NZ, Cochrane’s plans included the urgent construction of new airfields and hangars to accommodate the bomber squadrons.

By late August 1939, war with Germany was imminent. The NZ government offered to put the men and machines at the disposal of the RAF (the first material contribution to Britain’s was effort by any Commonwealth country) a week before war was declared. The first ferry flight had been due to leave only a month later. However, the generous gesture left NZ venerable to attack, and no longer able to meet its regional commitments. The country’s ineffective defences against attack from the sea were quickly exposed. But, after 7 months of uncertainty, political debate and hard training, the unit was eventually built up to full operational status, becoming No. 75 (NZ) Squadron – the first Commonwealth squadron to be formed within the RAF.

The ‘New Zealand Bomber Squadron’ became famous for its many accomplishments during WWII and a source of great national pride. The story of how it came into being has never fully been told – until now.