|
Re: Need help identifying BoB He111 with three stripes on the tail
Hello,
As a follow on to this post, there was another loss of a He111 of 5./KG53, A1+DN on 7 September 1940. The "G"-crash report doesn't mention tail stripes and the a/c was apparently badly burned out. I have no photos of the remains of this a/c and would greatly appreciate knowing about them should they exist.
Although we don't know the exact date when the white and "pink" vertical tail stripes (and corresponding wing markings) were first applied to many LW bomber a/c (Do17s, Ju88s & He111s), there are examples from before 15 September and for a few weeks after that date, including some even into October as these markings wore off or were covered over. So, it is quite possible that this a/c also carried them and could been responsible for the tail in the salvage dump.
According to the Revised EOE LW Loss Report::
"7 September 1940: 5./KG53 Heinkel He111H-2 (2777). Attacked by fighters, probably F/L G.R. Edge and F/O L.C. Murch of No. 253 Squadron, following attack on Thameshaven. Then port engine disabled in attack by F/L D.G. Parnall of No. 249 Squadron and also hit by ground-fire prior to belly-landing at Old Marsh, Isle of Grain, 5.30 p.m. BO Oberlt Heinz Bräuer and FF Oberfw Alfred Pitzka both captured unhurt, BM Gefr Ernst Urich and BS Uffz Friedrich Bergmann both captured wounded, BF Obergefr Peter Neumann killed. Aircraft A1+DN fired by crew 100% write-off."
According to the G - Crash Report:
"He.111 Crashed at OLD MARSH, Isle of Grain (map reference N. 3295) on the 7.9.40 at 1715 hours. Markings A1+ DN (D in black outlined in white). Spinner red. Jumo 211 A engines., but engines plate showed number 45388. Constructed at Dessau. Aircraft made good landing but crew set fire to it and the wreckage was burnt out. Reported hit by A.A. fire and that Spitfire hit port engine. Crew of 5. Armament: Five M.G. Instruments all burnt."
Of course, it is possible that any other He111 losses to KG53 during mid-September 1940 probably also carried this marking on the tail, but at present I have no other examples to work from. If anyone has further photos showing these on this unit's aircraft please let me know.
|