Bf 110 C-4 Crashed Munsgore Lane Borden 1940

[Laurie]

I am trying to find information about a Bf110 C-4 that was shot down reportedly on the 9th September 1940. Information I have seen indicates it was hit by anti-aircraft shells crashing into a field Nr Sittingbourne Kent.
Records show this as Munns Gore although this is actually Munsgore Lane.
The crew were killed, I have one name associated with this aircraft as Uffz Georg Alfred Bierling, 26 years old, however I am unable to find the name or rank of the other crew member. This aircraft was part of the ZG76 group.
The reason for my search is a friend of mine was recounting a story of this aircraft coming down in 1940. A local man at the time was first on the scene, he told my friend of 'taking a knights cross and Mothers cross from the wreckage plus a great coat and insignia that was on the lapels' He gave the two medals and insignia to my friend during their conversation. My friend has stated that it would be nice if these medal's could be returned to their rightful families. Hence my search for the two crew members. Can anyone help me with this search.

[Matti Salonen]

1940-09-09, 7./ZG 76, Bf 110 C-4, 2137, 2N+FM, Munsgore Lane, Borden, 2 km südwestlich Sittingbourne, Kent, Flakbeschuß. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer Uffz Bierling, Georg, +
Bordfunker Uffz Kurella, Friedrich, +

Matti

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

According to the EoE Loss Listing DB:
"9 September 1940: 7./ZG76 Messerschmitt Bf110C-4 (2173). Hit by AA fire following escort sortie over London and crashed at Munns Gore, Borden, near Sittingbourne, 6.00 p.m. FF Uffz Georg Bierling and BF Uffz Friedrich Kurella both baled out too low and killed. Aircraft 2N+FM 100% write-off.
Site excavated by Kent Battle of Britain Museum and remains of shatter Daimler-Benz DB 601 engines recovered tighter with large sections of compressed airframe, various components, propeller blade, oxygen bottles and aircrew forage cap and oxygen mask. Items now held by the Hawkinge Aeronautical Trust. Fragments recovered subsequently by Steve Vizard from a depth of eight feet included an engine badge."

According to K-Report#502: A.I.1.(k) Report No. 502/1940
"PLACE, DATE, and, TIME: Borden, 2 miles W. of Sittingbourne 9/9/40 1800 hours
TYPE and MARKS: Me.110
UNIT: II/Z.G.1
IDENTITY DISC: Pilot – 53585 W/T - 69010
FELDPOSTNUMEMER: Pilot – L 32337 W/T – L 01402
AUSWEIS: Pilot. Green by E.103 30.7.40
W/T White, issued by E.17/XII 23.8.40
START and MISSION: -

This a/c was hit by A.A. and both the crew baled out. It is reported that one had been killed by shrapnel and the other left it too late before baling out.
The pilot’s disc is that believed to be of Erganzungs Z.G.1, as also is the Feldpostnummer. The W/T Operator’s disc has been previously identified with both 4 & 5 Z.G.1.
The pilot’s Diary had the following entries:
30.8.40 Escorting He.111’s to Aldershot. Combat
31.8.40 Escorting Do.17’s to Cambridge. Combat
1.9.40 Do.17 Tunbridge Wells.
2.9.40 Do.17 Estaples. Severe fighting.
4.9.40 110 K Gruppe (These words were crossed)
8.9.40 Moved to Cherbourg. Call off QBI

MORALE: Pilot Age 25. E.K.II
Observer Age 26

CREW:
Unteroffizier Georg BIERLING Dead
Unteroffizier Friedrick KURALLA Dead

A.I.1. (k). S.D. Felkin,
11.9.40. Squadron Leader.
Note: Munns Gore Borden nr Sittingbourne Kent England Cornwell Coll K-50210-30-2005"

We have at two photos of the a/c crash site in our EoE LW Photo DB, plus a distant color view of this a/c in flight, which only shows the general appearance of what is probably this a/c.

Do you have any photos of this Bf110 crash site or members of the crew? A photo of the artifacts recovered at the time would also be welcome. The "Knight's Cross" is probably an Iron Cross first Class, as neither of these crewmen was awarded the Knight's Cross.

[Chris Goss]

Bit puzzling that one of the crew carried a Mothers' Cross which, if the criteria was met, would have been awarded to either his Mother or wife, not him

[Clint Mitchell]

Good luck charm from loved one perhaps?

[Stig Jarlevik]

Larry

Out of curiosity why do you and the Group favour WNr 2173? Most sources including Matti favours 2137.

Cheers
Stig

[Peter Cornwell]

Hello Stig,

Typo. 2137 is correct which would make it a C-2 ?

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Peter

My second hand sources says, yes a C-2.
However Luftwaffe was very skilled in constantly making small upgrades and if Luftwaffe crash archives is to be believed those who examined the wreck obviously thought it was a C-4....

Cheers
Stig

[Clint Mitchell]

Quite possibly a C-4 by that point. Same situation with the Bf109E-3 and Bf109E-4. As you likely know the only difference being that the wing cannons were upgraded in the E-4.

Bf110C-2 had normal MGFF cannons the Bf110C-4 had the upgraded MG-FF/M cannons. No external difference. Seems beneficial to be upgrading the cannons as soon as they were available during this period.

[Jim P.]

WNr. 2173 appears in later losses -

Bf 110C-4, 2173, Peppmüller, Ltn. Heinz, , I., 2., NJG 4 (ZG 26), , 3U+EK, KD+UQ, , 22-Feb-42, Crew killed in crash due to Fehlstart., Ltn. Peppen per loss & Balss., VIII.Fl.Korps/Eins.Osten/Nachtjagd, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #5)-Vol.8; Balss, Deutsche Nachtjagd, II, p.56; Ring, ZG 26 loss list, , Fl.Pl. Schatalowka, 80%, F, Bf Gefr. Gottfried Dietrich, , Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG at Gotha in Jun-40

[Laurie]

Many thanks all.
It does seem rather strange that the Mothers cross was found and can only think that it was maybe something to do with Georg Bierling having his birthday the previous day?
A mystery.