Location of 1./JG77 crash landing at "Dungeness, France" during the summer of 1940

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I'm trying to match up a photo of a force-landed Bf109E on a Beach with Luftwaffe loss records. I know that the pilot and aircraft were from 1./JG77. The only loss to that unit during the probable time frame that might match was "Luftkampf, Absturz vor Dungeness" 100% loss, pilot unknown. The plane is cannon armed so probably an E-4, and the pilot has on a life vest, so this is probably Battle of Britain. He is clearly down in France, not England. It looks like it is on a Channel beach or possibly a coastal river estuary. My problem is that I don't find a Dungeness, France, only the well-known Dungeness, England. Is this perhaps referring to an air battle over Dungeness, England, with a subsequent forced-landing on the French coast, or is Dungeness a coastal location (not necessarily a town or village) on the French coast as well? Can anyone give me a georgraphy lesson on this, or otherwise be helpful?

Larry

[Nick Beale]

Dungeness was still in Kent, last I heard. It has an ageing nuclear power station on it, so if France would like it ... More seriously, I think you'll need to spend time with a map looking for a French name that might fit more or less but the index of my French road atlas is no help, I'm afraid.

The only Southern England/Northern France place name matches I can think of at present are Dover in England and Douvres in France (which is also how the French spell Dover) and Dunkirk in Kent (which is also our spelling of their Dunkerque).

[Fairlop]

Larry,

I spent a lot of time by travelling on the coast of Pas de Calais region in northern France. Never I was or visited Dungeness on French side of the Channel. When I am checking detailed maps of this region, a result is the same - nothing. Nevertheless it is not a dogma and I believe our French colleagues here could be more helpful.
There are three "so so" similar places on Belgian coast - Bray Dunes, Duinhoek and Duinbergen ...

Regards,
Michal

[RT]

Thks a lot for your kind offer Nick, in those time of scarse nd costly petroleum it could be of some use
Losses between 15.aug. nd 30.sept are at least 30 for the only I.goup nd many could match with your picture, Larry, the one of I.ST.JG77 plane has crashed "vor Dungeness" so in the water, later rescued by a Seenotdienst unit, an other "accident" occured the 15.september "vor Dungeness" but involded was the the 3.st. pilot Meixner MIA, finally on 15.sept. after luftkampf above Dungeness the pilot crashlanded is plane due to "motorschaden" where ?? BF109E-1 4847 25%, pilot unknown, but maybe not for you ???

Rémi

Originally Posted by Larry Hickey

Hello,

I'm trying to match up a photo of a force-landed Bf109E on a Beach with Luftwaffe loss records. I know that the pilot and aircraft were from 1./JG77. The only loss to that unit during the probable time frame that might match was "Luftkampf, Absturz vor Dungeness" 100% loss, pilot unknown. The plane is cannon armed so probably an E-4, and the pilot has on a life vest, so this is probably Battle of Britain. He is clearly down in France, not England. It looks like it is on a Channel beach or possibly a coastal river estuary. My problem is that I don't find a Dungeness, France, only the well-known Dungeness, England. Is this perhaps referring to an air battle over Dungeness, England, with a subsequent forced-landing on the French coast, or is Dungeness a coastal location (not necessarily a town or village) on the French coast as well? Can anyone give me a georgraphy lesson on this, or otherwise be helpful?

Larry

HI. the dungerness.. is the action he received from going back to france.the forced landing.........
on some bullet strikes pilots! painted over repairs dates locations and some fragments etc from flack or bullets too as memtoes..so the dungerness is the kent action and not france.
Gary

[Larry Hickey]

Thanks all for your comments.

Regards,

[O.Menu]

Originally Posted by Larry Hickey

Hello,

The plane is cannon armed so probably an E-4...

Larry

Hi Larry!

No, no, take care... There is an hole in the spinner but there is no gun in the nose from the Bf 109E...

[Larry Hickey]

O.Menu

I was referring to the wing cannon, not a cannon in the nose.

Regards,

[O.Menu]

UPS, excuse my miss-understanding...