Petworth Boys School bombing by Ju88

[Andy Saunders]

Yes, I have photos of Sabler's orginal grave, the wreckage at Frithfold and pictures of the wing which fell some distance away.

[Bombphoon]

Morning
Can somebody please post the titles/details of the published KG6 and KG40 units histories please.
With thanks
Austin

[Brian Bines]

Hi Austin,

KG6 'Wir Flogen gen Westen' vol. 1 IBSN 3-00-013291-0 and vol 2 IBSN 978-3-00-024579-4 by Jan Horn, available through Christian Schmidt in Germany. The KG2 history (not KG40) was two volumes in softback by Ulf Balke title 'Der Luftkrieg In Europa - Die Operativen Einsatze Kampfgeschwader 2 Im Zweiten Weltkrieg ' IBSN 3-7637-5882-8 and 3-7637-5884-4. I do not know if these KG2 histories are still available,

Brian Bines

[Bombphoon]

Many thanks Brian
Have the KG2 histories - will have to save up for the KG6's.
**Thinks**Now wouldn't a published general history of KG40's overland 1942/43 raids be great (to go with Chris')??
Austin

[Chris Goss]

As you say, the only published source (as far as I am aware) is my V/KG 40 book. If you then add the FW 200 ops, the He 177 ops, the He 111 then Do 217 then Me 410, this would be a massive undertaking (I have been approached by the way but the effort would be too great). There is also a 2 volume work on KG 6 written by Ab Jansen for the KG 6 Association but it was a very limited print run

[nickle]

Wow, Brian, that's the closest I've come to any sort of identification of the unit. Three bombers on the 29th, all to seperate places, one being Sussex and a boys school destroyed? If I looked into those files you mentioned in Kew, then might I be able to nail it down further? I had no idea they kept that sort of file!

Chris, as you can see, I'm edging closer to something with your and Brian's help. I have no idea what I want to know about Lucke as I know nothing at all about him, but you seem to be the man who knows of him best. I either want to tie him into it or eliminate him from it. So, what can you tell me about him that might make him the pilot of that aircraft or, indeed not the pilot of that aircraft. And what I'm looking for in Germany is something closer to an answer, as opposed to the clues that are being turned up for me here. If you can suggest anywhere else as to where I can enquire, then I'm all eyes. The fact that others have failed to find anything does not concern me. I'd like to think I'm a little more tenacious than to give up just because someone else has failed before me. Perhaps they did not have the clues that I now have. If I could add the possibility of a pilot to that of a squadron, that would certainly narrow down my search, but if you can tell me anything that puts Lt Lucke out of the frame, then I can discount him as the pilot. I'm not doing this because I want to go on a witch hunt, I'm doing it because I want to find out and because there are people in Petworth who'd just like an ending to that particular story. If they want to know, I'll tell them, if they don't, I won't. Do you believe I have another motive, perhaps?

And Andy, I've spoken to two people who went to that crash site, one of whom saw the bomber being shot down. You have photos of it!? Would it be possible for me to see them somehow?

Thanks chaps.

Nick

[Chris Goss]

Lucke was born 12 Mar 14 in Magdeburg and flew with II/KG 51 and later I/KG 77 which became I/KG 6 in Aug 42. He was then with 2/KG 2, St Kap of 11/KG 6 and ended the war with IV/KG(J) 6. 361 missions. If he is still alive, I am not sure he has his logbook otherwise it would have given more details for 29 Sep 42. I therefore cannot say yes or no to him being over Petworth on that date and would suggest we leave it at that. As to Germany-as I said, all other avenues as far as I am aware have been explored. I expect that this will remain a mystery

[nickle]

Thankyou Chris and thankyou Brian for your time and giving me a couple of excellent leads.

Andy, I'd really like to find out more on Sablers He111 if you would.

Many thanks,

Nick

[Andy Saunders]

Nick

Here are some pics relating to Hptm Sabler's He 111.

Andy

[John Manrho]

Chris,

Are you sure that Ab Jansen's volume on KG 6 was ever published? I never saw a copy and a couple of years ago I helped Ab to find some additional pictures.

John