Me210 loss 1943?

[wightwrecks]

Hi Searching for information on a reported AAA shootdown of a Me210 over the Isle of Wight in summer of 1943. Sketchy info supplied to myself indicates that 2 Me210's were overflying Island at approx 40,000 feet and were fired on by AA using a new type of shell. One aircraft alledgely brought down into sea south of the island. Not sure of the validity of this info. I know that one of a flight of 3 109's was brought down over the island by a direct hit at high altitude, but this a/c crashed inland. So is this a seperate incident or confusion from an apparent eye witness??

Any info would be greatfully recieved.

Thanks Andy

[Chris Goss]

I have no records or losses to support this and suspect it was the loss of Lt Hans Jaschinski of 3(F)/123 in a Bf 109 G-4 on 16 Aug 43 who was claimed by Flak but in fact brought down by 124 Sqn at Newchurch

[George Hopp]

Possibly the a/c was a Ju 88 with GM-1. The Me 210 was pretty well out of 1st line service by this time, and to the best of my knowledge could never have made it to the altitude you claim for it. Me 410 recce a/c were not yet equipped with GM-1, although possibly test a/c might be available. And, there are no losses of this type mentioned in the data I have.

[wightwrecks]

Thanks for the input.
The eye witness is apparently sure of the incident ( all this was relayed to myself through a third party) although of course his recognition may be erroneous but he is sure of the period.

I was very interested in Chris's reply re the BF109 of Lt Hans Jaschinski being shot down by 124 sqdn, when I was researching this incident some years ago, I was told by one source that this a/c was shot down by a Mosquito and not by AAA, in fact parts of the wreckage reportedly bore machine gun or cannon round holes; but several other sources poo-poo'd this and said that it was definately AAA fire that downed the a/c.
Obviously, the Isle of Wight view is that the a/c WAS shot down by Island based batteries, (well we would wouldn't we!!). Is there definate documentary evidence of the 124 Sqd shoot down?
As usual controversy reigns.

regards

Andy G.

[George Hopp]

"The Blitz Then and Now" volume 3, page 291, says that Bf 109G-4/R3, 14763, Blue 1+, was shot down from 32,500 feet by F/L P. Harwood and F/O B. Brooks in Spitfire VIIs of 124 Sqdn. on 16 Aug 43, at 7.20pm. The a/c broke up in the air killing Lt. H. Jaschinski. The crash site was at Hill Farm, Newchurch, Isle of Wight. Interesting is the altitude of the shoot-down which would have made ground observation highly problematic.

Especially interesting was the additional note that at the crash site, Steve Vizard, John Ellis and Simon Parry excavated the remains of the DB 603 engine of that a/c. That was hardly likely if the a/c was a 109 since the 109 was never operational with the DB 603. So, was the excavated engine type a mis-print, or was it actually an Me 410, which was powered by the DB 603, that had been shot down? My vote is that the engine type is a mis-print, and that the a/c was the Bf 109G-6 mentioned above.

[Andy Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

I have no records or losses to support this and suspect it was the loss of Lt Hans Jaschinski of 3(F)/123 in a Bf 109 G-4 on 16 Aug 43 who was claimed by Flak but in fact brought down by 124 Sqn at Newchurch

Wasn't Jaschinski serving with 4.(F)/123 at the time of his loss not 3.(F)/123

[Chris Goss]

Typo!

[Brian Bines]

Is it correct that Ltn. Jaschinski had also served as a paratrooper ? Just a thought could the report of the Me 210's refer to the loss of two Me 410's of 1(F)/121 lost on 25/26-4-1944

[Chris Goss]

..but they were lost at night?

[Chris Going]

There is more to this -General Sir Frank Pile visited the Nettlestone guns on the Isle of Wight in October 1943 and was photographed with them, and also with the fuselage cross of the 109 destroyed that day. I also believe the gun crew received awards at about the same time. The guns were 5.25 inch calibre (c 130mm) and thus substantial range. The battery had been provided with radar predictors earlier that year, and according to a surviving member it was used to stunning effect that evening. Weather that day was wonderful and visibility unlimited. Thousands saw the three Messerschmitts. There is quite a lot about it on the Internet. Perhaps the most immediately relevant is the website of an artist who saw the incident as a very young child (but remembered it), and whose brother, aged c 17, sought out and found the wings which were torn off at the roots, otherwise unmarked. Enough of me -look for www.warbirdart.demon.co.uk, and then on the left panel seek 'The Nettlestone Guns incredible seven mile shot' and also, in the section 'Echoes of the Home Front' in the same panel, the stories indexed as Jonzonline 8, and Jonzonline 11. Interestingly the webmaster (John Howard Worsley), notes of the day 'I have discovered press reports of that evening which mention another enemy aircraft which was intercepted by british fighters and fell into the sea off Portsmouth...' Frustratingly he does not cite chapter and verse, but they are probably local and thus could be sought in the Newspaper Lib rary at Colindale.

Pile would not have been involved if the gunners claim had been doubtful. This and the reference to a further GAF loss that day does, I think, strengthen the case of the Nettlestone Gunners and unless there is pretty good direct contemporary evidence to the contray they should have it.

Best


Chris Going