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William Astell c. 1920 - c. 1943

William Astell was born on April 1, 1920 in Knutsford, Cheshire County, and died at age 23 years old on May 17, 1943 in Germany. William Astell was buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery 21. D. 13. in England. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember William Astell.

William Astell

April 1, 1920

Knutsford, Cheshire County

May 17, 1943

Germany

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William Astell William Astell (1920 - 1943)

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William Astell's History: circa 1920 - circa 1943

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Introduction

William Astell was born in Cheshire on April 1, 1920. His family's affluence allowed him to travel widely as a young man; on the outbreak of World War II he joined first the Royal Navy, then transferred to the RAF. He trained as a pilot in Rhodesia and began combat operations as a Wellington bomber pilot in September 1941 with 148 Squadron. He was seriously injured in a crash in December 1941 when another aircraft cut in front of him in the landing pattern, and he suffered a fractured skull and burns. He returned to duty in March 1942. On May 30, he and his crew were posted missing in action; shot down behind enemy lines, he eluded capture and returned to his home base 5 days later. In January 1943 he was assigned to 57 Squadron as a Lancaster pilot. Contrary to the legend that 617 Squadron was a hand-picked, all-volunteer unit, Astell and his crew were simply transferred in. On the night of May 16-17 1943, Astell and his crew were assigned to the third, reserve wave of Operation Chastise. At 0015 hours, they were engaged by light flak, the same battery that earlier had damaged John Hopgood's aircraft, and the damaged Lancaster flew into a high tension pylon and crashed. 90 seconds later, the Upkeep mine's backup fuse detonated, destroying the aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Bill Astell, DFC, was 23.
04/1

1920

Birthday

April 1, 1920

Birthdate

Knutsford, Cheshire County

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

English
Nationality & Locations

United Kingdon
Military Service

Service number: 60283 Rank: Flight Lieutenant Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit/ship/squadron: 617 Sqdn. Honors/awards: D F C
05/17

1943

Death

May 17, 1943

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

Germany
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery 21. D. 13. in England
Burial location
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