Heinkel He111 - Werk Nr. 5536- 9/KG53

[Geoffrey]

Hi everyone,
I jave searched several books and have been unable to locate the home airfield for the above aircraft when it left on its last raid over England on the 29th October 1940. It's a well known story and I have seen other posts appertaining to this same aircraft 5536. Detailed to bomb Gravesend airfield in Kent, it suffered W/T failure and the pilot thinking he was over Holland, ordered his crew to bail out. I can find no details of where the crew bailed out and where they came down / some slightly wounded. The aircraft crashed at 1:07am on the foreshore of Parkstone Quay, Essex and was the subject of an extensive recovery operation back in 1984/5. I can find no detailed record for the raid and would like to know more if anyone can help me. Much appreciated.

[Peter Cornwell]

Hello Geoffrey,

According to their interrogation (A.I.1(k) Reports No.824 & 875/1940) they took-off from Roubaix at 2000 hours. Suffolk Police reported one parachute found the following morning at Palace Quay, Harkstead, near Holbrook.

You will find the RAF Intelligence reports mentioned filed under AIR 40/2401 Volume 8 at the NA(PRO) at Kew.

[Geoffrey]

Hello Peter,
Thank you very much for the information, I have been chatting with Brian Bines who is always helpful. Brian suggested that the Germans often bent the truth under interrogation, which would be expected, as the same for our own members of aircrew.However, I really am most grateful and thank you for your kindness. I wonder where the other four members of aircrew floated to earth ?.

[BC]

No definite answer, but 18 Group ROC Centre logs have following:

"29.10.1940 0110 Hostile plane crashed M6951 after hitting balloon
barrage. Plane had been circling Gt Bromley at 1000'.
One of crew is in custody at Thorpe-le-Soken. the
plane crashed near the beach at Wrabness. 2 of
crew now with police and 1 with military."

BC