Identity of He177 or Ju88 destroyed 24/2/44?
 

Hello there,

I was wondering if anyone might know the identity of a He177 or Ju88 / 188 claimed as probably destroyed around 23.20 hrs on the night of 24/2/44 around Tunbridge Wells area by a British nightfighter of 96 sqn.

It is possible that this aircraft was a He177 (radar op identified it as such, after claiming he had a good plan view as they broke away, and stated that the nose was too long for Ju88, and had squarish wing-tips) but pilot was convinced it was a Ju88 or 188.

Pilot claims after his attacks, where he saw "many strikes on centre section and cockpit, followed by a reddish glow" he saw the aircraft going down steeply, held by the searchlights with smoke from both engines, then shortly afterwards saw an aircraft with an engine on fire crash into the ground.

He adds a note where he states: "Both ranges at which combat took place were estimated in relationship between wingspan and ring of reflector sight for an aircraft of 65ft (Ju88).However, operator states that when I opened fire, range according to A.I. was 1000ft. This would indicate a wingspan of almost double that of a Ju88, and points to He177."

To confuse the matter further, the pilot finally claims a Ju88 probable, the radar op claims a He177 probable!

Information on either damaged or missing Ju88's, 188's or He177's from this night would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Danny

Re: Identity of He177 or Ju88 destroyed 24/2/44?
 

Danny,

A He177 of 2/KG100 was shot down at Lamberhurst Kent at 2240hrs. which is linked to the claim of F/L Hall of 488 Sqd his combat report noted as 'admitted destroyed'. S/L Parker-Rees claimed a Ju88 destroyed at 2338hrs in a similar area, although as you say his Nav thought it was a He177 and their combat report has been notated as 'probaly destroyed'. Halls report says he followed his victim down to 7000 ft and saw it hit the ground while Parker-Rees last saw his going down steeply leaving trails of smoke. A Ju188 of 5/KG2 was reported missing possibly the one claimed off Beachy Head by F/L Ward of 96 Sqd. and a Ju88 of 4/KG54 landed at Marx with one man wounded following a N/F attack over England. The rest of the losses crashing in the UK appear to be linked to other pilots claims,

Regards

Brian Bines

Re: Identity of He177 or Ju88 destroyed 24/2/44?
 

Hi Brian

the time of their combat ended is actually just before 22.38 hrs according to Parker-Rees, and Bennett puts their take off time as 21.35 returning at 23.40. This puts it at almost the same time as F/L Halls combat. Parker-Rees started his interception at 21,000 ft- is it possible they both attacked the same a/c? Hall taking over after Parker-Rees broke off?

Otherwise I would guess at the 4/KG54 Ju88.

Thanks,

Danny