He 111 shot down by AA on 18.2.41 near Watton?

[cz_raf]

Hi all,
I have read a diary of an airmen who remembers that early in the morning (approx 7-8 hrs) there was shot down a He 111 on 18.2.41 by anti-aircraft battery near Watton.

Could anybody tell me if it is true - was lost any He 111 somewhere in this location? Is it possible to identify the plane?

TIA

Pavel

[Fairlop]

Ahoj Pavle,

He 111H-3, W.Nr.3349, A1+CH of 4./KG 53 attacked our boys at East Wretham and Honington, and was hit by Parachute and Cable weapon as it approached Watton at 7.55.

Michal

[BC]

I have already enlightened Pavel with the gen on this Norfolk crash. The He 111 made a wheels-up landing and came to rest across a deep culvert on fields at Waterend Farm, Ovington, 3/4 mile NW of RAF Watton. The five crew were taken PoW by two local farming types, one of whom had (quite sensibly) armed himself with a shotgun. The only item of technical interest noted in the AI1(g) report on the wreck (aside from the damage inflicted by the 3 PAC cables which struck the wings)was an MG 17 which was located in the tail cone and fired remotely.

This was (and I may get shot down here) I believe, the only enemy aircraft confirmed destroyed and credited solely to the PAC weapon over Britain in WW 2.

BC

[cz_raf]

Many thanks Michal and Bob!

Pavel