Ju88 from 4./LG1 shot down 15 Aug 1940
 

Gents,

Can anybody tell me any details about the exact location of where this aircraft landed:

15-08-40 L1+BM Ju88 from 4/LG1 shot down by 601Sq, forced landing nr Twyford.

I'm trying to confirm local newspaper reports from the time that claim this aircraft and another (probably this one):

5./ZG76 Messerschmitt Bf110C-4. Believed that shot down by F/L R.A. Barton (and probably also P/O J.R.B. Meaker) of No.249 Squadron during close-escort sortie to Worthy Down and Middle Wallop that crashed and exploded alongside the Farley Road at Slackstead 5.50 p.m. Also claimed by F/L J.H.G. McArthur of No.609 Squadron. FF Oberlt Gerhard Bremer and BF Uffz Leo Pauli both missing. Aircraft 100% write-off.

crashed within a quarter of a mile of each other. If anybody is able to give me more info on the the exact locations of the crashes and the details of the Ju88 crew who I believe were all captured.

Bjorn

Re: Ju88 from 4./LG1 shot down 15 Aug 1940
 

Bjorn,

I cannot be sure of the newspaper account that you mention but to answer your query:

4./LG1 Junkers Ju88A-1. Shot down by F/O M.D. Doulton and F/O W.P. Clyde of No.601 Squadron during sortie to attack Worthy Down and belly-landed at Hazeley Down Farm, east of Twyford, 6.00 p.m. FF Uffz Erwin Poggensee, BO Uffz Erwin Kusche, BF Uffz Horst Burkhardt, and BS Uffz Rudolf Müller all captured unhurt. Aircraft L1+BM 100% write-off.

This was a very busy evening and two other Ju88s fell very close together as follows:

Stab II./LG1 Junkers Ju88A-1. Shot down by F/L Sir A.P. Hope and Sgt L.N. Guy of No.601 Squadron during sortie to attack Worthy Down and belly-landed at The Jumps, West Tisted, 6.10 p.m. FF Oberlt Stephan Suin de Boutemard (Gruppe TO) captured unhurt, BO Oberfw Heinz Grund, BS Fw Wilhelm Lüder, and BF Uffz Kurt Weigang all baled out and captured unhurt. Aircraft L1+SC 100% write-off.

5./LG1 Junkers Ju88A. Shot down by F/L C.R. Davis of No.601 Squadron during sortie to attack Worthy Down and crashed and exploded by Ashen Wood, near The Jumps, West Tisted, 6.05 p.m. FF Fw Herbert Pauck, BO Uffz Kurt Glitzner, BF Fw Dieter Rogge and BS Uffz Erich Woldt missing believed killed. Aircraft 100% write-off.
What little remained of this crew was quietly disposed of locally - they were not afforded proper burial. Site examined by the Southern Area Wartime Aircraft Preservation Society in November 1972 when remains of both engines, propeller blades, undercarriage, gravity knife, scraps of uniform, and an unexploded bomb found.

But if it is Bf110s you are looking for, these also fell very close together:

Stabsschwarm II./ZG76 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Shot down in combat over Salisbury during close-escort sortie to Worthy Down and Middle Wallop. Crashed and exploded at Broadlands Farm, West Wellow, near Romsey, 5.55 p.m. Probably that claimed by F/O A.R. Edge of No.609 Squadron. FF Uffz Karl-Rudolph Röhrich and BF Uffz Theodor Neymeyer both killed. Aircraft 100% write-off.

6./ZG76 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Believed that shot down by F/L J.H.G. McArthur of No.609 Squadron which exploded on impact near Black Hill Farm at Furzley, between Plaitford Common and Foxbury Plantation, near Romsey, 5.45 p.m. FF Fw Franz Wagner and BF Uffz Fritz Spörl both missing. Aircraft M8+WP 100% write-off.
This crash caused a heath fire that burned for several days. Due to the severity of this crash, no identification of the remains of this crew was possible. They are thought to be the ‘Unknown German Airmen’ buried in Devizes Road Cemetery, Salisbury, on August 17 and subsequently re-interred in Cannock Chase Block 7, Row 2, Graves No.36 & 37.

Source: The Blitz Then & Now Vol.1 (as amended).

Re: Ju88 from 4./LG1 shot down 15 Aug 1940
 

Thanks Peter, prompt as ever! I believe the newspaper article I have found in the Hampshire Chronicle from the 24th August makes reference to the first two Ju88s you mention. It says they were shot down by spitfires on the previous Thursday (15th). One exploded and crashed and the other belly landed nearby after three of the crew had bailed out. The farmer who apprehended the pilot of the Ju88 which belly landed said when interviewed by the paper that the German had seemed calm and unconcerned to be taken prisoner. Apparently he commented to the farmer over a cup of tea in broken English "Spits too hot!". The German crew were reported to have been rounded up by the Home Guard. On being asked if there were bombs in the aircraft the pilot said he had dumped them on a railway. The aircraft landed in two fields no more than 1/4 mile apart. A red cross lady stood with a collection box at the entrance to the fields to take advantage of the many sightseers. Makes for quiet interesting if somewhat sensationalised reading!

Re: Ju88 from 4./LG1 shot down 15 Aug 1940
 

The Junkers 88 that made the forced landing is quite well photographed. I used to have the cockpit canopy from this aircraft and this is now in the Shoreham Aviation Museum.

The missing crew of the other Ju 88 nearby were killed in the crash and remains were buried at the site. Items like uniform fragments and a parachute release box etc have been found in recent years, but there is no known local burial of the remains. (A case for Joe Potter?)

Photos exist of both crashes and I think I am correct in saying there is colour film of the forced-landed Ju 88 - but I may be thinking of another incident?

Re: Ju88 from 4./LG1 shot down 15 Aug 1940
 

Re: Ju88 from 4./LG1 shot down 15 Aug 1940
 

There are photos of L1+BM in a private collection. As Andy says, there are a number of photos of L1+SC (the Flight Engineer was a very good friend of mine by the way-I have all of his photos). The only Bf 110 photo I am aware of from that day shows the 2 engines from M8+WP (Peter might be able to confirm this)

Re: Ju88 from 4./LG1 shot down 15 Aug 1940
 

Bjorn,

Here is a photo of the Ju88 down at Twyford on August 15, 1940. I have never identified any photos of the Bf110 down at Slackstead.

Re: Ju88 from 4./LG1 shot down 15 Aug 1940
 

bjorn rose,
I have colour footage that came from a TV prog broadcast many years ago of private movie making, I recall it being identified as L1+BM, diagonal green stripe on fuselage aft of wing and a rudder in apparent rlm02.
I can get some stills from it if need be. Not sure if anyone else ever captured that footage but it has always intrigued me ever since.

Peter Cornwell's image appears to have vanished from his posting in this thread :-(

BOBC

Re: Ju88 from 4./LG1 shot down 15 Aug 1940
 

Any diagonal fuselage stripe usually indicates KG 54? 21 aug 40? Andy will no doubt confirm.

Re: Ju88 from 4./LG1 shot down 15 Aug 1940
 

Found a still taken from the footage, view of stbd side shows fwd of cross an all light B and then an M or H in a rlmo2 type colouring as opposed to black !, that last character is a little 'doubled' between frames, beyond is a hayrick in the shape of a fiesta car facing right sitting on lighter ground, probably straw stubble and a continual row of trees, ground is soil apart from that mentioned. Maybe the B repeated on stbd rear stabiliser. 12 people mostly military and a black/white spaniel sized dog.
BOBC