Bf109E-7 loss 12/10/40 Hollingbourne, Kent

[Clint Mitchell]

Hi all

Does anyone have anymore information ie werknumber, fuselage code, Pic? (longshot but someone may have found an Ebay pic)

Bf109E-7
Oberleutnant K.Saur
2.JG52
Shot down by RAF fighters 12/10/40. Crashed at Chantry Farm, Hollingbourne, Kent. Saur baled out slightly injured and was captured.

Thanks for your time.

Clint

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Clint

12 October 1940: Bf 109 E-7 "Black <I" (W.Nr. 4132) flown by Oberleutnant Kurt Saur of 2./JG 52, wounded in aerial combat in the London area and bailed out, crashed near Hollingbourne, POW, 100%

I hope this helps.

Horrido!

Leo

[Clint Mitchell]

Wonderful Leo!

Now just waiting on the photo.

Thanks

Clint

[ChrisS]

Your word is my command.

Picture emailed 2 mins ago.

Thanks to Leo I was able to identify a photo in my unknown section.

Cheers Leo!

[Clint Mitchell]

Chris you are the man, I've got a little piece of this plane. Nice to know what it looks like at last.

Just a question: The information accompanying the little piece of metal I have has the JG52 emblem but also the circular emblem with the cheeky little red devil holding a bow and arrow. Wrong I presume from the photo of the aircraft you mailed me which is sporting the JG52 emblem and also the wild boar emblem.

Edit: Just realised the running boar is the emblem of I./JG52.
Thanks again

Clint

[Clint Mitchell]

Hi Chris

I'm not quite sure about this photo to be honest? I've given it some thought and the photo shows a quite intact belly landed 109 (Black <1) from 2./JG52. But from what I understand the pilot baled out and I would expect the plane to have not landed quite so nicely. Also the small piece of metal I got from Geoff Nutkins at the Shoreham Aircraft Museum which they excavated would lead me to believe that the aircraft disintegrated on impact. Also Leo pointed out that this aircraft was (Black <I) not (Black <1). Does anyone have any more info, could this be a mix up with the recorded fuselage codes? You might have a different crash altogether Chris? It certainly looks like British soldiers clambering all over the plane with onlookers. Shame I was kinda chuffed with the photo.

Cheers

Clint

[Andy Saunders]

Certainly the aircraft in question dived into the ground and was deeply buried on impact. However, the location of "Chantry Farm" is somewhat suspect as no such farm name exists there or has ever existed there. I do know the location of the crash, although for what its worth it certainly isn't at a place called Chantry Farm despite the Air Intelligence report.

The crash site was excavated some years ago.

[Clint Mitchell]

Hi Andy

I've managed to find a listing for Chantry Farm in Headcorn (not far from Hollingbourne, both are in Maidstone) on the Kent Archaeological Society's website. http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Re...N/A/01/01C.htm

It was found on a List of place names from the 6 inch O.S. Maps of Kent (revised 1905/08) with the map reference of 175?

So it existed in 1908 just not anymore? I wonder if maybe an older onlooker at the time may have given the location of Chantry Farm to the RAF officers who filled out the report?

Edit: Albeit just checked Google Maps and Headcorn is still quite some distance from Hollingbourne confusing? What area do you know as being the crash site if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks

Clint

[ChrisS]

Gentlemen, sorry to confuse.

I found this photo, owned by Denes Bernad, hoping that if he reads this he could help us with more details.

Regards

Chris

[Clint Mitchell]

But what one is in your pic Chris? Looks to be in the UK!

Cheers

Clint