[Peter Cornwell]

Hello Bjorn,

As Andy says, the Slackstead crash is thought to be as follows:

5./ZG76 Messerschmitt Bf110C-4. Believed that shot down by F/L R.A. Barton (and probably also P/O J.R.B. Meaker) of No.249 Squadron during close-escort sortie to Worthy Down and Middle Wallop that crashed and exploded alongside the Farley Road at Slackstead 5.50 p.m. Also claimed by F/L J.H.G. McArthur of No.609 Squadron. FF Oberlt Gerhard Bremer and BF Uffz Leo Pauli both missing. Aircraft 100% write-off.
Due to the severity of this crash, no identification of what little remained of this crew was possible. They are thought to be the ‘Unknown German Airmen’ buried in Hursley Churchyard on August 20 and subsequently re-interred together in Cannock Chase Block 9, Row 4, Grave No.19.

However, another Bf110 crashed nearby during the same engagement:

6./ZG76 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Believed that shot down by F/L J.H.G. McArthur of No.609 Squadron which exploded on impact near Black Hill Farm at Furzley, between Plaitford Common and Foxbury Plantation, near Romsey, 5.45 p.m. FF Fw Franz Wagner and BF Uffz Fritz Spörl both missing. Aircraft M8+WP 100% write-off.
This crash caused a heath fire that burned for several days. Due to the severity of this crash, no identification of the remains of this crew was possible. They are thought to be the ‘Unknown German Airmen’ buried in Devizes Road Cemetery, Salisbury, on August 17 and subsequently re-interred in Cannock Chase Block 7, Row 2, Graves No.36 & 37.

Thus, with no evidence of identity from either site, the potential for mis-identification remains. Unfortunately, I have no idea if any (or indeed all) these airmen had been awarded the EKI nor, indeed, if either of these was the site guarded by your grandfather.