[nickle]

Chris, what I mean by going after your educated guess is starting off researching back into these two pilots. Before today I just had a Ju88. Now I might have possible pilots. I'm not going to guess that it was either of them, but you all give me an excellent place to start digging. If I turn up with nothing associating either of them with Petworth, then I won't assume anything and the pilot will go unknown. I'll only go forward if I can positively identify the crew. And as you say that Faulhaber's log put him over Creil at 1137 UK time, that puts him out the picture. Which leaves me Lt Lucke. Can you tell me anything about him?

Andy, I have no intention of blundering in and haunting these men. If I wished to be critical of them, then I would have to be critical of almost every allied pilot who flew bombing missions over enemy territory. This is a part of my local history which I am researching. I understand it is sensitive. Some people talk about their experiences, some don't. I have found both with researching this subject. I have the perspective of those who were in the school at the time, those who lost relatives and those who dug the boys out. I have nothing about the aircraft or its crew. And it is not the bombing of a school I am looking at, it is the fact that a German bomber hit Petworth. I have sat in the crater made by an He111 in Northchapel, I know who the crew were, I have eye witness accounts and I know who shot it down. I'm also trying to find out about a V1 which hit Northchapel. Had the bombs hit their intended target, I would have been searching for the crew just the same. Should I ever find out who the crew were, and if they're still alive, I'd like to make enquiries as to whether they'd be willing to talk to me,most likely through here. If not, I'd leave it. But the people who I've spoken to, who were in the classrooms and one of whom lost their brother, would just like to know. They've had this long of just not knowing. I hope that allays any thoughts you might have that I'd do something without thinking.

Brian, thanks for explaining the markings. With names and squadrons, I might be able to make some headway. Is there anywhere particular in Germany that I can make any enquiries? Between yourself and Chris with logbooks, if you can't come up with the names of the crew with the knowledge you seem to have, I can only imagine I'll be looking into an archive in Germany. Just which one and where? But with some clues to work on now, I at least have a good start. If I can't associate Lt Lucke with Petworth with the information you've given me, then I guess I'm going to be out of luck.

Thankyou all for all your assistance.

Nick