Leonard Arthur Townrow
Airforce: Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)
Rank: Flight Sergeant (F/Sgt)
Duty: Pilot/Captain
Service number: 415041
* August 20th, 1920, Wairun, Otaki, New Zealand
† April 24th, 1944, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Task during mission
The pilot of a bomber crew flew the aircraft throughout the operation and co-ordinated the actions of the other crew members. He was the captain of the aircraft regardless of his rank (in relation to other crew members) and the most important crew member. He was responsible for the lives of all the crew and the aircraft whilst in the air. If an emergency evacuation of the aircraft was necessary, the pilot had to stay at the controls and be the last to leave.
Example picture.