POW over England
 

Hello,
A friend of mine commented to me that his grandfather was shot down over England and according to what his mother told him, landed in an apple tree in the garden of a lady, who was somewhat shocked and
clueless of what to do. She invited him for tea and then just let him go. He walked through the city for three days, in his German fighter uniform
(as everybody in London was wearing uniforms at that time, and nobody noticed). He was recognized as a German only when he raised suspicion by trying to buy with French Francs after having spent all his British Pounds. He was subsequently arrested and became a POW, first in Scotland, then in Canada.
During the life of this pilot, disliked to talk about the war even with his family so his grandson know nothing about his career.
The name was ERICH BRAUNSBURGER and we will very grateful if somebody have same records, date, unit, rank, or anything else.
Regards

Re: POW over England
 

Nice story - but no, sorry. Oberfw Erich BRAUNSBURGER was Bordfunker aboard He111 V4+CD of Stab III/KG1 the aircraft of Gruppenkommandeur Major Willibald FANELSA that crashed at Manor Avenue, Caterham, 2.31 a.m. on 27 August 1940 after being hit by AA fire during a sortie to Coventry. He was rounded up together with the rest of the crew & taken (initially) to Caterham Police Station.

Re: POW over England
 

Than you Peter,
It also seemed odd to me the story of a german wandering during three days.

Many Thanks!

Re: POW over England
 

Reminded me of the RAF aircrew that wandered about a German city in his uniform for a period of time after being shot down. They thought his wings, with the RAF in the midddle, meant he was a "Reichs Arbeit Fuhrer".

Re: POW over England
 

I went to the copy of 'BoB, then and Now' I purchased in the IWM in my last visit to London and there are two interesting photos 'then and now style' of the no.21 bungalow at Manor Avenue where crashed the He111H-2.
There are mentioned only two names: Fanelsa and Meyer. Thanks to Peter because without his help I could not be able to find Fw.Braunsburger.

Cheers