F/L Eric Kingsley Necklen RNZAF - 197 Typhoon Squadron

197 Squadron RAF July 9, 1944 – November 21, 1944

Eric Necklen, a New Zealander, enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) on January 26, 1940 at RNZAF Station, Levin (Weraroa) having already served for two years with the 16^th Waikato Regiment (Territorial Forces). The son of Charles and Mabel Necklen, Eric was born on January 17, 1920 at Wanganui, one of four sisters and seven brothers, of whom five brothers served in New Zealand’s armed forces during WWII.

Initially employed on ground duties both at RNZAF Levin and RNZAF Ohakea, LAC Eric Necklen eventually re-mustered as a pilot under training on November 30, 1941. After completing the Initial Training Wing (ITW) at RNZAF Levin Eric moved onto commence flying training at No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS), Whenuapai before embarking for Canada on March 8, 1942 to continue his training under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Early training days for Eric (4th from right) at the Weraroa Training Depot near Levin (Initial Training Wing). Photo: Necklen Family Collection

LAC Eric Necklen completed basic and advanced flying training at No. 9 Service Flying Training School (SFTS), Prince Edward Island and No. 8 SFTS, Monkton. Gaining both his ‘Wings’ and a commission on August 14, 1942, P/O Eric Necklen (NZ40422) RNZAF was posted on the 14^th September 1942 to No 1 Flying Instructors School, Trenton, Ontario and thereafter to No. 31 SFTS, Kingston, Ontario for duty as an instructor where he remained for the following ten months. After completing operational training at No. 1 Operational Training School (OTU) in Bagotville, Quebec F/O Necklen RNZAF embarked for the United Kingdom in October 1943.

Arriving in England on November 10, 1943, Eric Necklen trained on Hurricanes and Spitfires at No. 59 OTU and No. 57 OTU respectively, both OTU being in Northumberland, before completing his training at No. 3 Tactical Exercise Unit (TEU) in Annan, Dumfriesshire. After a short course at 84 Group Support Unit (GSU) in Gloucestershire F/O E S Necklen RNZAF was posted, on July 9, 1944, to 197 Squadron RAF then at RAF Hurn in Hampshire.

Eric Necklen and “Mac” Reid, (a New Zealander and a Canadian) possibly B.51, Lille Vendeville, September 1944. Photo: courtesy Chris Thomas

Eric Necklen travelled with 197 Squadron to ALG B.3 St Croix sur Mer, Normandy, France on July 17, 1944 subsequently staying with the Squadron throughout the Battle for Normandy, the battles for the Channel ports and the advance through Belgium, to ALG B.72 Antwerp (Deurne) and the Battle for the Scheldt Estuary.

A member of ‘A’ Flight, Flt Lt Eric Necklen RNZAF was an experienced pilot with 1053 flying hours to his name including over 100 hours on Typhoons. He completed 71 operational sorties mostly dive and low-level bombing attacks either in support of 1^st Canadian Army units or Interdiction strikes on railway centres and rail tracks being used by the Germans to bring V1 & V2 missiles to launch sites in Holland, but also including seven armed recces, three fighter sweeps, one leaflet raid and one shipping strike.

“A” Flight, 197 Squadron RAF, B70 Antwerp Deurne, November 1944. Above: Ken Welsh (?), below from left: Eric Necklen, Charlie Hall, ?, H.W. Read, Johnny Rook, Bob Jones. Photo: courtesy Roy Allan

On the 21^st November 1944, Flt Eric Necklen RNZAF, flying Typhoon OV-C (Srl. No. MN752) died after a collision with another 197 Squadron Typhoon flown by P/O Charles Hall, RCAF, another experienced pilot. Both pilots died when their aircraft hit the ground. The 197 Squadron Operational Record Book (ORB) explains the circumstances.

“INTERDICTION AMERSFOOT AREA. These aircraft were airborne and set course entering cloud at 3500 feet. F/L Necklen and P/O Hall collided in cloud and crashed. The aircraft were seen burning on the ground at FORT De SCHOOTEN D.7604. The mission was abandoned. It was later confirmed that both pilots were killed.”

Sqn Ldr Allan Smith DFC, RNZAF, 197 Squadron’s Commanding Officer and fellow New Zealander wrote to Eric Necklen’s parents the following day:

“I cannot express in words the great loss to the Squadron the death of your very brave son has meant to us all. […] Because we were both New Zealanders, Eric has been a good personal friend of mine, and by his quiet determination and singleness of purpose he was a source of inspiration to all the other pilots in my squadron. Not only have we lost a very efficient pilot, but above all a very great friend and comrade, for he was always cheerful, and a happier man could not be found.”

A letter to Eric Necklen’s father from S/L and fellow New Zealander Allan H. Smith informing him of the circumstances of the death of his son. Dated November 22, 1944. Photo: Necklen Family Collection

Flt Lt Eric Kingsley Necklen was buried with Service Honours on November 24, 1944 in the Schoonselhof Cemetery, Antwerp, Belgium.

Tragically, the following day 197 Squadron RAF were due to fly to RAF Fairwood Common, Wales for an Air Practice Camp (APC) and a period of leave.

Flt Lt E K Necklen RNZAF, Schoonselhof Cemetery, Antwerp, Belgium. Photo: courtesy Sm- Ty. Archives, New Zealand

F/L Eric Kingsley Necken was awarded the War Medal 1939-1945 and the New Zealand War Service Medal.

Flight Lieutenant Eric Kingsley Necken RNZAF (NZ40422)

Born: January 17, 1920. Died November 21, 1944.

Research and text by L.K. Byrne. Sources: 197 Squadron Operations Record Book, AIR27/1169, The National Archives, UK; RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 – 1945 (Bound Volumes) – Sm- Ty. Archives New Zealand (R17845616) and Auckland Museum.

Title image: F/L Neville Thomas RAF, I/O, 146 Wing RAF, briefs F/L Eric Necklen RNZAF (centre) and W/O “Cobber'”James RAAF, November 8, 1944. Photo: Necklen Family Collection.