Accident at Speyer involving Barkhorn

[von Lutz]

I have an album with fotos taken at the airfield in Speyer in the early 1940s. One page has 5 fotos of a landing accident involving 2 Bf 109Es of 8./JG 51, white 3 and 4. There is also a foto of a young pilot who I believe is Barkhorn. Can any one find a report on this accident?

[Don Pearson]

These are 4./JG52, details are in the Barbas' volume.

Don

[G.R.Morrison]

These two Bf 109E-1s of 4./JG 52 collided soon after takeoff on 26.March 1940. The pilot of "weisse 4," Fw. Walter Hoops, became the first II Gruppe pilot to be killed. The pilot of "weisse 3" was uninjured, and thus not listed in the report. The damage to "4" was assessed at 50%, and "3" at 30%. No Werknummern were given (which wasn't unusual at this point in time).

GRM

[ouidjat]

Hi Guys,

Of course Dr. Prien is wrong stating that "Weisse 3" was a Bf109E-1:
http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/di...otonummer=2636 ... Though, it's clear enough too on photo posted by Richard.


GRM: Just a way of talking?... Prien gives only TWO WNr.s among 11 losses!
(bis)

Regards, Franck.

[ouidjat]

... Just to be sure a 100% we are talking about the same accident for both machines.

Thanks for the pics Richard.

Best regards, Franck.

[G.R.Morrison]

Good catch on the E-3, Franck, although I must confess I hadn't clicked on the two thumbnails of the photos. That's what I get for being less-than-careful.

Werknummern on 109Es don't appear with much frequency until near the end of August 1940 in the Gen.Qu.6.Abt. loss reports.

GRM

[ouidjat]

I forgive you GRM!

[Revi16]

Just an observation, with both aircraft having their flaps down I would guess this was a landing accident. White 3 landing on the top of White 4. The left main gear of White 3 is what most likely tore through the right wing of White 4. The outer left wing of White 3 shows damage where it most likely contacted the canopy of White 4.

[ouidjat]

Revi Revi Revi ...

First flap position (around 15°) is for take off to make it shorter and safer.
Sorry, but wrong guess.

Regards, Franck.

[Revi16]

Originally Posted by ouidjat

Revi Revi Revi ...

First flap position (around 15°) is for take off to make it shorter and safer.
Sorry, but wrong guess.

Regards, Franck.

I didn't realize you actually had witnessed this accident. My apologies. I feel silly basing my guess on 30 years of flying. You do realize it is up to the pilot as to where he wants to set the flaps for each takeoff or landing?

Either way, White 3 over ran or came down on top of White 4. (Interestingly, White 4's flaps seem to be further down than 15*.)