Interesting French Gendarmerie report about a crashed Ju 88

[Jérémie Tarpon]

Hello everyone,

Researching something else, I came upon a French Gendarmerie report dated February 10, 1943, that raises an interesting question. It describes the discovery of wreckage from a Junkers 88, in a very dense forest area near the hamlet of La Neuville-aux-Haies, Hautes-Rivières (Ardennes). The crash site is close to the Belgian border and the remains of two crew members were found nearby.

The following markings were recorded on the wreck (reproduced here as written in the report): "Norddeutsche Dornier Werke – Nachbau Junker – série J.V. 88 – R.I-H.N – 8.88.302 – B.N.R. 4299 – Abnahme 12.40." and on a wing: "3.Z + 40".
According to the report, the crash likely occurred on the night of May 20, 1942, during an air battle in which a British bomber was shot down at a place called "Le Petit Sabot", in the Aiglemont area. This seems to match the loss of a Halifax of No. 35 Squadron, serial W7658, destroyed near Aiglemont at 00:55 on May 20, 1942, by Lt. Friedrich Gräff of 9./NJG 4. However, the only German night fighter loss that night AFAIK is a Messerschmitt Bf 110 that crashed near St. Trond after colliding with a Stirling of No. 7 Squadron.

Since the code 3Z is generally associated with KG 77 (but what about "3Z+40", should we read "3Z+AO"?), the crashed Ju 88 is probably unrelated with the events of May 20, 1942. Maybe one of our Ju 88 experts has some clue about the identity of this plane?

Best wishes,

Jérémie

[joel husson]

Hello,
In my records, I have a Ju 88A4 from 10 KG/77, shot down on July 29-30, 1942, in aerial combat. Its registration was 3Z+AU. I don't know the Werknummer.
The crew: Lt. Franz Taschler, Hans Eckrieder, Erwin Wessolek, and Heinrich Haue, were killed.
The village mayor, fearing reprisals from the occupying forces, led the Germans to the crash site. All the lumberjacks and locals knew where the plane had crashed.
You could try to find the book by Françoise and Pierre Roger: Air Warfare in the Ardennes Department, Vol. 1, page 33.
There is also a profile of the aircraft on page 81. Their books contain contemporary accounts, which makes them very interesting, they are excellent books.
Sincerely,
Joël

[John Manrho]

I have it as Ju 88A-5, WNr. 4293, 3Z+HU. Indeed 4 man crew was recovered on 13.2.1943.

[ArtieBob]

Dear Jérémie,


I am no expert, but have a pretty good Ju 88 database. I have Ju 88 A-5 (W.Nr. 4293) from the QM loss list as 100% loss (cause unknown) on 31.7.42 (no location given) with 10. KG 77. My entry has the Verbandkennzeichen (3Z+HU), but not the Stammkennzeichen. My data indicates W.Nr. 4293 was built at Norddeutsche Dornier Werke. I am trying to check and confirm the Stammkennzeichen in the Gendarmerie report as it is a series I have not seen before.


This is not an unusual event in Luftwaffe research, you find two “original” sources for the same event and they do not always agree. That fact just shows how hard to be really definitive in your research. Thank you for posting this information hope I was of some help.
ArtieBob

[Jérémie Tarpon]

Dear Joel, John and Artie,

Many thanks for the information you have provided. Incidentally, the book from Françoise et Pierre Roger was on the shelves in front of me, but having no details about the Ju 88 loss I didn't look into it. According to the authors, the plane crashed for unknown reasons while returning from a bombing operation against Birmingham on 29/30 July 1942. I have checked that there is no Intruder claim matching this loss and I will post here if I find something more.

Best wishes,

Jérémie

[ClinA-78]

Souvenir...
The Roger's came to investigate this 15-20y ago. Interestingly, we found bits of sand coloured skin panel...

ClinA-78