He 111 crash landing In Luxembourg 1940
 

Hello,

I have a picture showing a belly landed He 111 during the campaign 1940 here in Luxembourg. This picture was taken in the area near Luxembourg City. Can anyone help to identify this plane or has someone another view of it? I can only see an black F which is outlined just before the Balkenkreuz.

Thanks in advance

John

Re: He 111 crash landing In Luxembourg 1940
 

Hi John,

Not easy without more details.
In my database
- no mentioning of Mersch
- no mention of He111's coded +F
So that does not help.
I would expect that it is most likely an a/c of either KG1 or KG53 (assuming it was a regular bomber and Fernaufklärungsgruppe), being the units that overflew Luxembourg mostly during the first days of the campaign. But then I haven't found likely candidates yet.
E.g. Peter C lists a few He111 of 5./KG53 lost around noon on May 10 at unknown locations after interception over Thionville, but then the crews were taken prisoner. I would expect that around noon time on May 10 the Luxembourg City area was in German hands and no prisoners would be made. So that does not fit either.

All I can say for now.

Regards, Pieter

Re: He 111 crash landing In Luxembourg 1940
 

Dear Pietre,

Thank you for your reply. I know that this one is difficult to find out. This picture was taken around Luxembourg City. Possible location could be Howald near Luxembourg City. You are right, at that time the germans were in Luxembourg, so the crew were not declared as POW.

Best wishes

John