The story
On Tuesday, 16 January 1945, (a part of) the aircraft of the 75 squadron (RNZAF), took off for a mission to Herne in Germany from a station (airfield) in or near Mepal.
One of the crew members was Flight Lieutenant T D Blewett RNZAF. He departed for his mission at 23:30.
He flew with a Avro Lancaster (type I, with serial PB761 and code AA-Y). His mission and of the other crew members was planned for Wednesday, 17 January 1945.
Mission : Wanne-Kickel. Took off from RAF Mepal at 2330 hrs to attack a Benzol plant. Crashed 0420 hrs while returning to base, coming down near Wooditton, 13 miles E of Cambridge. Both New Zealanders are buried in Cambridge City Cemetery. Flt Sgt Cornell was critically injured and he died on 18 January, his grave is in Southgate Cemetery.
Crew:-
Pilot : Flight Lieutenant Terence Douglas Blewett RNZAF NZ/414376 [Killed]
Flight Engineer : Sergeant R H Hunswicks RAF [Injured]
Navigator : Flight Sergeant Bryant Thomas Cornell RAFVR 1398282 [Fatal Injury]
Bomb Aimer : Flying Officer John Stanley Wilson RNZAF NZ/426234 [Killed]
Wireless Operator : Warrant Officer J Smyrk RAF [Injured]
Mid-Upper Gunner : Sergeant W H Pridmore RAF [Injured]
Rear Gunner : Sergeant K Hollins RAF [Injured]
Information about aircraft who did not return from this mission can be found here. Information about the other crew members on this flight can be found at this website (Aircrew Remembered). This website also provides the flight information for this record.
This record can also be found on the maps of WW2 History Europe with Google coordinates. You can find the maps by clicking on this link on this location.
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