Avro Lancaster I (W4179 ZN-) on a mission to Essen on 1942-09-16
On Wednesday, 16 September 1942, (a part of) the aircraft of the 106 squadron (RNZAF), took off for a mission to Essen in Germany from a station (airfield) in or near Coningsby.
One of the crew members was Flight Sergeant T G Clark RNZAF. He departed for his mission at 20:30.
He flew with a Avro Lancaster (type I, with serial W4179 and code ZN-). His mission and of the other crew members was planned for Thursday, 17 September 1942.
Squadron Leader Howell
Cecil Moreton Howell, Squadron Leader (Pilot), 70332, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Cecil was born at Solva in 1915. He served his apprenticeship as an engineer with Metro-Vickers from 1934, and gained a degree in engineering before joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, where he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on 15 December 1936.
Cecil was later promoted to Flying Officer at the outbreak of war, and later to Squadron Leader. Cecil served with 106 Squadron, RAF, which was a heavy bomber squadron, equipped with the Avro Lancaster.
On the evening of 16 September 1942, Cecil took off as pilot of Avro Lancaster Mk I, Serial W4179 ZN, from RAF Coningsby, as part of a large force bound for Essen. His Lancaster was shot down, and crashed at Soars, in the north-eastern suburbs of Aachen that night. All seven of the crew were killed, and originally buried at Aachen, but after the war the graves were relocated to Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. Cecil was 25 years old.
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.
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