JU-88 3C + DC lost over England

[Ivo de Jong]

Does anyone know the details about a JU-88 (most likely), coded 3C + DC, which was lost over England in (late?) 1944. Probably made a belly landing and I assume most of the crew survived.
Any information is welcome.
Thanks in advance,
Ivo de Jong

[RT]

I found one on 15.sept. who made pres. a hard landing but in Rhein-Main

Remi

Any names ??

[Ivo de Jong]

Hello Remi,
Thanks for your reply, but that is not the one. The one I am after definitely came down in East Anglia, most likely in the vicinity of Bury St Edmunds.
No names are known to me.
Cheers
Ivo

[RT]

In fact in 1944 that was more than uncommon that Nightfighters flew above England , I suppose that something is wrong in your data

Remi

[BC]

Dear oh Dear, Ivo - when will you learn that I am the living oracle of WW 2 crashes in Norfolk and Suffolk ?

Two Ju 88s came down in the Bury St Edmunds area of Suffolk, both at the village of Gt Barton. Neither was a night-fighter; 5J+ER of 7/KG.4 crashed in flames on 30 July 1940 killing all the crew, and 3E+LH of 1/KG.6 belly-landed with the crew being taken PoW on 14 May 1943.

Only two Ju 88 night-fighters came down in Suffolk in WW2. 4R+UR of 7/NJG.2 which famously landed at RAF Woodbridge ELG on 13 July 1944, and 3C+KN of 5/NJG.4 which crashed near Metfield during operation "Gisela" on 4 March 1945.

I'd be interested to know what the source of your info is ?

BC

[Ivo de Jong]

Bob,
I bow my head in shame... I'll never do it again!
Please see the attached photo from a groundcrew member of the 487th Bomb Group (now deceased). As far as I know he himself never went to Germany (post-war), and I think his photos show UK scenes only.... Well, what about this one??

[BC]

Yes Ivo, that is rather odd, but I'm afraid I have no details of any other Ju 88s, night-fighters or otherwise, in this area. What made you think it was B St E area, anyway ?

It does seem as though the Ju 88 NF in your photo has been partly dismantled. There is also clearly evidence of someone ripping open the side of the fuselage in the area of the "Schrage Musik" cannon installation, either to disarm or remove the weapons/ammunition inside ?

Perhaps someone with "Captive Luftwaffe" or similar would care to comment - was this one of the aircraft test-flown in the UK post-war ?

BC

[edNorth]

Seems this might be Ju 88 G-1 judging from the engines.

I have two Ju 88 G-1 bearing that code. 713364 based at Frankfúrt/Rhain-Main in September 1944 (Ultra), no fate known - G-1 712291 crashed 100% "Lehrte" 13.02.1944 (Balss)

[Brian Bines]

Is it likely this photograph was taken at an airfield on the Continent, the trees look like it was taken in the winter months. I had an interest in another USAAF bomber group and noted some of their B-17s made emergency landings on Allied airfields on the Continent in the Dec.44 to Jan 45 period. In some cases the unit flew spares and mechanics out to fix any damage to fly the bombers back to the UK. Perhaps the ex groundcrewman from the 487th was flown out on a repair job and took the photo of a long abandoned Ju88. A B17G of 839Sqd/487 BG was salvaged after landing at Melsbroek on 19th.Dec 1944.

[RodM]

Hi Ivo,

without provenance it would be hard to know the source of the photograph. It could be a copy that your man obtained without having been involved or at the location. The personnel in the photo may not even be air force.

Upon lightening up the photo, two vehicles can be seen in the background between the aircraft and the trees. The front vehicle may be an M3 half-track while the rear vehicle appears to be a truck. Although speculative and hard to tell, it may be the canvas cover of another truck in the background, just forward of the aircraft canopy. Thus, could the personnel be part of a convoy that had either stopped or reached a destination (airfield)?

Cheers

Rod