[Peter Cornwell]

Stabsschwarm I./JG27 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 (3763). Shot down in combat with Hurricanes over East Grinstead and crashed at Nettlefold Field, off Bell Lane, Nutley, near Haywards Heath, 9.45 a.m. FF Oberlt Hans Bertram (Gruppenadjutant) killed. Aircraft 100% write-off.
Small fragments of airframe excavated by the Wealden Aviation Archaeological Group in 1974. Surface fragments recovered by the Kent Battle of Britain Museum (now held by the Hawkinge Aeronautical Trust) and also by the London Air Museum. Site excavated by Malcolm Pettit in 1981 and cockpit components and assorted wreckage recovered. Piece of gold neck chain and parachute fragments picked up at the time of the crash held by Andy Saunders.
BERTRAM was flying as wingman to the Gruppen Kommandeur, Hptmn Eduard NEUMANN on this sortie. Only partial remains of BERTRAM were recovered & identified from his name marked on a small portion of shirt. He was originally buried in Plot 1094 in St James’ Churchyard, Nutley, but later reinterred in Block 1, Grave 18, of the Soldatenfriedhof at Cannock Chase.

3./JG27 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 (3630). Shot down in combat with Hurricanes over East Grinstead and crashed into a pond on Cinderhill Farm, Horsted Keynes, near Haywards Heath, 9.45 a.m. FF Uffz Alfred Sander killed. Aircraft 100% write-off.
Site investigated by the London Air Museum and components recovered at time of crash donated by local landowner.
SANDER was flying as a wingman to an unidentified 3 Staffel pilot on this sortie. Originally buried in Plot 1, Grave 1, of a reserved area in St Gile’s Churchyard, Horsted-Keynes, he was later reinterred in Block 1, Grave 17, of the Soldatenfriedhof at Cannock Chase. There is a nice photo of him on p377 of Vol. 4/I of Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 by Jochen PRIEN et al.