BF110 shoots himself down?
 

A question out of interest,
Page 166 of Martin Bowmans book "Mosquito Panic!" describes an encounter between a Mossie and a 110 on the night of 7/8th April 1945.
He describes how the 110 gunner opened fire before the Mosquito had got his guns onto the target, the 110 gunner hit his own tail causing it to catch fire and fall apart and the German aircraft then crashed without the Mosquito firing a shot! ( he got credited with the kill)
How can this have happened, did not all aircraft with gunners have systems set up either electronically or with physical blocks to prevent this type of incident.

Re: BF110 shoots himself down?
 

On the Bf 110, no. It is likely that at least one Bf 110 that came down during the Battle of Britain was the result of the Bordfunker hitting his own fin/rudder and severing the control cables, causing a loss of control for the pilot.

Re: BF110 shoots himself down?
 

Hi Jon and John

Are you able to put names to the two Bf110 crews involved in these incidents, please?

Cheers
Brian

Re: BF110 shoots himself down?
 

Don't think i can help much but this may help.
The Mosquito crew who claimed the kill were F/L K.W Stewart and F/O H.E Brumby of 488 Squadron flying a mark XXX NT263. The 110 went down 20m SE Osnabruck on the night of 7/8 April 1945.