[Yeomans]

Following on from my earlier post “Surrey Luftwaffe Crashes”, the attached plan shows what I believe will have been the most likely course of the above aircraft prior to crashing at Folly Farm, South Holmwood on 27th September 1940.

This aircraft of 2/KG77 and coded 3Z + HK was intercepted by Hurricanes from No. 303 Squadron (Polish) and No. 1 Squadron (RCAF) when over Oxted in Surrey en route to London. It was reported as being initially hit in the starboard engine when over Esher and then in the port engine. At this point it appears to have turned due south flying over Leatherhead and on towards Dorking. The pilot, Unteroffizier Rudolf Schumann ordered the crew to bale out and the first to leave the aircraft was the radio operator Unteroffizier Wilhelm Menningmann. Unfortunately, Menningmann’s parachute harness was not properly fastened and he tragically fell to his death, his body being found in the sewage beds of the Leatherhead Sewage Works. His parachute was located nearly 5 miles furthersouth in Holmwood Park.

My plan then indicates where the other three crew members landed – they were all captured and fortunately none of them were seriously wounded. I have also indicated the final crash site and where various parts of the aircraft fell.

1 = Pilgrims Close, Westhumble where a gun and “turret” landed
2 = Bradley Farm where the second crew member landed. This could have been either Unteroffizier Hans Tenholt or Unteroffizier Albert Ackermann (it being assumed that the pilot was the last to leave the aircraft)
3 = Croft Avenue, Dorking where part of the tail landed
4 = Scammells Farm where the third crew member landed. As above, this could have been either Tenholt or Ackermann
5 = Norfolk Arms PH, Mid Holmwood where the pilot landed
6 = crash site at Folly Farm, South Holmwood

Menningmann was initially laid to rest in the cemetery of the local parish church (St Mary and St Nicholas) and whilst both of the sources quoted below suggest that he is still buried there, I am advised (see my earlier post) that he was in fact re-interred post war most probably to his home town of Dortmund which is the reason why he is not among those now at Cannock Chase.

See the following excellent sources for more information :
www.aircrewrembrancesociety.com
www.warbirdsite.com/warbirdsite_com_junkers_88.html


The above sources variously attribute the "claim" to the Canadian Gordon Roy McGregor or Pilot Officer M Ferric of No. 303 Squadron.

I would appreciate any further information on the above incident that any Forum members may have. Could sections of the rear glazing (or turret as referred to above) really be jettisoned on the Ju88 to assist emergency escape – as suggested in the Warbird article ?

Nick