2 unidentified axis losses, Kent?

[uckwash]

Found these in 'Aircraft Casualties in Kent'-:

A)6.9.40
????Kent. HE111 FTR after attack on London.
(Location not known).
Lt Schactebeck killed. Fw Jessen, Uffz Haslache, Fasz & Jahme missing. Based Morbecke.

B)15.8.40
Brenchley, Castle Hill. e/a

Since the book was published has anything transpired that would shed any further light upon these 'odd' (adendum) reports?

Dave

[Peter Cornwell]

Dave,

Why this has been documented as a casualty in Kent I cannot imagine but at least the date of loss, September 6, 1940, is correct:

2./KG26 Heinkel He111H-3 (6902). Crashed in the North Sea during night sortie to London, exact circumstances unknown. FF Lt Gerhard Schachtebeck killed, BO Uffz Karl-Heinz Fass, BM Uffz Otto Ihme, HS Gefr Josef Haslacher, and BF Fw Werner Jessen (of 1./KG26) all missing. Aircraft 1H+AK 100% write-off.

I know of no enemy aircraft down in the area of Castle Hill, east of Brenchley, on August 15, 1940. What is the source for this ? Kindly ignore my question if it is the ‘Casualties in Kent’ book you still insist on quoting. I would strongly recommend that you file that book or, at least, check it against better information before posting. I’ve no idea when it was published but it is clearly totally unreliable.

[Clint Mitchell]

Hi Peter
Whilst we are on the imprecise reports in the Aircraft Casualties in Kent book. Would you be able to shed any light on the following?

18.8.40 Chatham e/a
25.8.40 Southfleet - Dartford e/a
31.8.40 Rochester, Strood. e/a
30.9.40 Higham. e/a
2.11.40 Northfleet. Downs Road. 3 crew killed. JU88A-1

The book: Aircraft Casualties in Kent Part I: 1939 to 1940, Compiled by G.G. Baxter, K.A. Owen and P. Baldock, Kent Aviation Historical Research Society - Meresborough Books 1990 - ISBN 0948193 506
It's a locally (Rainham, Kent) produced book that contains lots of tantilising if some what incomplete/incorrect reports? I just want to know if they are correct

Any info appreciated

Thanks

Clint

[steve sheridan]

Peter sorry to bother you,
are you saying just Jessen was from 1/KG26, or the whole crew?

Best regs,
Steve.

[Andy Saunders]

I have to agree with Peter Cornwell in relation to the "Aircraft Casualties In Kent" book. When it appeared in print I bought a copy. It didn't stay in my book collection for very long!!

[Clint Mitchell]

Thing is the book kind of gets your hopes up as it lists several aircraft downed in my area not mentioned anywhere else. Also you wonder where they got their info. I mean they could have asked around the local areas, local eye witness reports. There are a lot of reports in the Battle of Britain Then & Now that do not give a location. Many of those must have crashed in the sea with no witnesses but some on land might have not been recorded or records lost. For instance I have an eye witness report of a HE111 coming down near Higham, Kent towards the end of Sept 1940 but for the life of me I cannot find any other info anywhere. Could it be the listing from the book mentioned in my post above (30.9.40 Higham. e/a)? Some entries in the book might have some substance but it's difficult to know which ones without cross referencing with the other BofB books.

Clint

[Maximowitz]

I can't wait to join this "Brotherhood." Do we get a free apron and a secret handshake?

[Peter Cornwell]

Who knows, Max, I certainly don't. Conspiracy theorists only I expect.

[uckwash]

Hi John,
Travelling up and down the Country in place of far simply using modern resources like this, frankly seems too old shool to be true.
Perhaps 'privileges' was too strong a word, to describe the dividends reaped from forged relationships. My apologies.
Peter's books are of great value, but I could not concur, that local Knowledge was of little use, which is possibly why I suggested 'factualness'. I would go so far too as to say that would constitute an indignity to the local elderlies of Kent.
I read what you say with interest, however I am a little put out by the suggestion that I get off my arse.
30 years ago I did exactly that, by bicycle I explored the old Airfields, and visited Kew, with a friend, at the age of 14, when yes I agree, things were harder, what with no internet.
But just because my seniors had to do things the hard way doesn't in my mind mean that one should now unnecessarily endure the same degrees of difficulties in doing so.
All the best, to you both.
Dave

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by uckwash

Travelling up and down the Country in place of far simply using modern resources like this, frankly seems too old shool to be true.
Dave

But that's usually what it takes when you're dealing with primary sources from 65-70 years ago.