RAF Mepal Memorial
Mepal
75 (New Zealand) Squadron Memorial, RAF Mepal
Close to the roundabout at the junction of the A142 (Chatteris-Ely road) and the B1381 leading to Sutton Village is the memorial to No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron based at RAF Mepal. The memorial was unveiled on 10th June, 2000.
On 4th April, 1940, the New Zealand Flight, which had formed on 1st June, 1939, to train Wellington bomber crews in preparation for the delivery of this type to New Zealand, was redesigned No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, RAF. The unit's first base became RAF Feltwell in Norfolk.
In August 1942 No. 75 Squadron moved to nearby RAF Mildenhall. There, the unit began conversion to the Short Sirling.
From the end of June 1943, the squadron operated out of RAF Mepal. The first Lancasters for the squadron arrived here in March 1944. From July 1945 No. 75 Squadron was flying from RAF Spilsby in Lincolnshire until 15th October, 1945, the date of its disbandment as a Royal Air Force unit.
The proud unit reformed in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1946 to fly Mosquitos from RNZAF Base Ohakea. The squadron ceased to exist on 13 December 2001, when the RNZAF Air Combat Force, comprising Nos 2, 14, and 75 Squadrons, was officially disbanded.
In August 1942 No. 75 Squadron moved to nearby RAF Mildenhall. There, the unit began conversion to the Short Sirling.
From the end of June 1943, the squadron operated out of RAF Mepal. The first Lancasters for the squadron arrived here in March 1944. From July 1945 No. 75 Squadron was flying from RAF Spilsby in Lincolnshire until 15th October, 1945, the date of its disbandment as a Royal Air Force unit.
The proud unit reformed in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1946 to fly Mosquitos from RNZAF Base Ohakea. The squadron ceased to exist on 13 December 2001, when the RNZAF Air Combat Force, comprising Nos 2, 14, and 75 Squadrons, was officially disbanded.
The Memorial is located on the roadside close on the access road to the Business Park at the former RAF Mepal.