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The airmen who took to the skies were often remarkably young. Some in their teens, many just into their twenties, tasked with flying complex aircraft on perilous missions over enemy territory. Laurence (Laurie) McKenna (NZ424493) recalls his first mission as skipper.

 ‘Operational take-off of Squadron’ – believed to be from the Regensburg Op., 20/4/4. (Credit: Mary Morris).

“On my first trip as skipper (with 101 Squadron) and just 21 at the time, the squadron had drawn Leipzig. I think 78 bombers were lost that night ( mainly through night fighters) and certainly we saw many planes going down”.

“But as sprogs, we assumed this this was all quite normal. Back at Ludford everyone was out on the airfield counting the crews in. As the new boys, we knew we were being watched and made a perfect approach. A bit too fast though, and then no brake pressure. Off into the mud we went, quite slowly, and up to the axles just off the perimeter track. The off cost me quite a few pints in the mess and was never repeated”.

“After my first tour and spell it 15 OTU (No.3 L.F.S), I joined 75 (NZ) Sq. at Mepal as Flight Commander. There I had 20 Lancasters and crews to look after. They were a good bunch and I managed to fit in 20 Ops on my second tour”.

Laurie McKenna arrived at 75 Sq. on 2nd February 1945, – having already completed a tour with 101 Squadron and being awarded a D.F.C.. He essentially took over the ‘headless’ crew and it was this new Skipper that the crew completed their tour with the Squadron.

“With the end in sight, we expected these last few tours to be easy, especially those in France. What a shock: the Picard–led raid to Mailly-Le-Camp’s SS barracks was just bloody frightening. Low level, lots of flak and big losses. This was a real wake up to all of us and there really was no need for Group Commanders to be trying to score points for themselves at that stage at the war! Fortunately we were one of the lucky ones”.

Laurie McKenna in Kiwis do fly New Zealanders and RAF Bomber Command by Peter Wheeler