Avro Lancaster I (PB761 AA-Y) on a mission to Herne on 1945-01-17

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.

John Smyrk (Jnr): I came across your information when I was looking for further details regarding the Avro Lancaster PB761 AA-Y.

My father was on the Lancaster pictured above and the information below discribes the fated return from Wanne-Eckel.

It came down on its return to base. My father was one of 4 survivors.

I created the picture above in memory of the crew and thought I might share it with you.

Flew into ground on return from mission to Wanne-Eickel.
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.

There are several possibilities in investigating the flight records on WW2 History Europe. All the flights are plotted on maps, sorted " day by day", "by squadron", "by type aircraft", "by year or month", "by location" and much more! Don't miss this!!!

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Your photos and your information are very welcome! The young do care and with your help we keep up the good work.

we do care

Listing Details

Date

1945-01-17

Status coordinate

The location is in a (the vicinity of a) city or town

Address

-, Germany

E-mail publisher

Map

User

Map

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