Full medal write up
1939-45 STAR; AIR CREW EUROPE STAR, CLASP, FRANCE AND GERMANY; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS 1939-45, IN NAMED CARD BOX OF ISSUE, ADDRESSED TO ‘MR H. R. RENWICK, 50 KIRKWOOD DRIVE, NORTH KENTON, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE’.
Harry Robinson Renwick was born in April 1921. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 5 June 1940. He carried out training as an Air Gunner at No. 4 A.G.S., Morpeth from June 1943. and was subsequently posted to No. 1483 Bomber Conversion Flight, Newmarket. After converting to Stirlings at No. 1665 C.U., Woolfox Lodge, Renwick was posted for operational flying as a mid-upper gunner to 75 (New Zealand) Squadron at Mepal, in November 1943. He flew in at least 26 operational sorties with the Squadron as a mid-upper gunner, 18 November 1943 - 20 July 1944, converting to Lancasters after the 7th operational sortie.
Renwick’s notes in his logbook various hits on his aircraft, including his turret and combats with German aircraft. He and his Flight Engineer were both wounded during a combat off Terschelling on 28 January 1944 and recovering from his wounds, he did not fly again until May 1944.
Date of Combat: 29th of January 1944 – Mining in the Kiel Bay
Name of Airman that Combat Report is filed against: P/O Colin Roy Baker, RNZAF NZ42999
Position: Pilot
Aircraft involved in report: Stirling Mk.III EF512 ?? – A
“Nineteen aircraft were detailed to carry out the above operation with mines of 1,500 lbs. Three aircraft returned early, two dropped their mines in alternative areas, but the remainder successfully dropped their mines in the allotted area. Some light and heavy A.A. fire was encountered, and one aircraft received slight damage. A few enemy aircraft were seen and the aircraft captained by P/O C. BAKER, whilst on the homeward journey was attacked by a M.E.110, which raked our aircraft with machine gun and cannon fire, from the tailplane to the Navigator’s compartment, causing considerable damage. The mid-upper gunner, Sgt. RENWICK, H. was slightly injured and the Flight Engineer Sgt. WATSON, W. was seriously injured. On return the aircraft crash-landed at COLTISHALL. The weather was variable with 5-10/10ths cloud, but fairly clear in the mining area. Severe icing was encountered on the return journey. Navigation was very good.”
Renwick advanced to Sergeant and subsequently served at R.A.F. Tuddenham. He was discharged, 25 April 1946.
Renwick’s ops, primarily flown with Pilot Officer C. R. Baker, D.F.C., R.N.Z.A.F.. His sorties listed below, with some of his select additional notes in logbook in italics:
18 November 1943 -Mannheim/Ludwigshaven ‘Heavy Flak. Severe Icing. Formated on by Ju. 88 3 times’
23 November 1943- Mining La Rochelle
16 December 1943 – War/Ops Special Target – ‘Name unknown’
22 December 1943 – War/Ops Special Target – ‘Name unknown’- ‘No guns’
The above two sorties believed to be Flying Bomb sites near Abbeville
4 January 1944 - Mining Biarritz, ‘Heavy Flak at La Rochelle. Turret Hit by Flak. Engine Cut Successful 1603 Miles’
27 January 1944 – Heligoland ‘Light Flak’
28 January 1944 - Mining in Kiel Bay, , ‘Baltic Combat Off Terschelling. F/E and Myself Wounded. Crash-land at Coltishall Successful. Me. 110’
It is not clear whether it was Renwick or another gunner who claimed this ME110
19 May 1944 - Le Mans
21 May 1944- Duisburg ‘Flak over target’
22 May 1944 – Dortmund ‘Plenty S/LS and Flak Fighter. Returned from target 3 engines’
31 May 1944- Trappes ‘Combat’
3 June 1944 – Calais ‘Light Flak’
6 June 1944 – Cherboug ‘Light Flak in Daylight’
6 June 1944 – Lisieux ‘Low Level’
8 June 1944 – Fougeres ‘Combat by Me. 110. No Hits Seen. Light Flak. Successful’
10 June 1944 – Dreux Railway Yards ‘Fired on by two Lancasters Hits on Rear Turret also Bomb Bays’
12 June 1944 – Gelsenkirchen ‘Flak moderate plenty S/LS seat collapsed over target’
14 June 1944 – Le Havre ‘Slight Flak’
16 June 1944 – Valenciennes Rolling Stock ‘Icing on turret’
23 June 1944 – St. Omer ‘P’Planes’
24 June 1944 - War/Ops Special Target – ‘Rocket Base Plenty S/LS’
30 June 1944 – Villers-Bocage ‘Slight Flak no Fighter opposition’
7 July 1944 – Marshalling Yards NE Paris
9 July 1944 – Daylight Constuctional Works at Linzeux ‘Little Flak’
20 July 1944 - Homberg Oil Plant, ‘1x4000. 16x500lb. Plenty S/LS, Fighters. Heavy Flak. Hit by Flak’
The above his 26th and final operational sortie listed in this logbook
75 (New Zealand) Squadron was engaged constantly against Germany from 1940 to VE day. The squadron flew more sorties than any other heavy bomber squadron in Bomber Command and lost the second most aircraft of Bomber Command.
A fine website on 75 (New Zealand) Squadron can be found here:
https://75nzsquadron.wordpress.com/
Sold with the following related contemporary items:
a) Royal Air Force Navigator’s, Air Bomber’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (14 June 1943 - 20 July 1944) slightly distressed condition
b) RAF/RNZAF Buttons and cloth insignia
c) Small note book – entries regarding duties in flight, what to do in certain situations, firing angles, sketches etc- most interesting
d) Invitation to W.A.A.F. party, 18 March 1945
e) Royal Air Force Service and Release Book
f) Pilot’s Notes General
g) R.A.F. Travel Warrant, dated 4 March 1945
h) R.A.F. Flying Clothing Card
i) photograph of recipient in uniform sitting next to his brother, also in service uniform
j) Various other ephemera including a note from Renwicks daughter
A most interesting and complete group to a Lancaster Mid-Upper gunner who saw a great deal of action.