Hajo Herrmann 7./KG30 and barrage balloon incident

[Brian]

Hi guys

I assume we have all read about Hajo Herrmann's encounter with a barrage balloon on 22 July 1940. I have noted the following:


"Witnesses at Plymouth reported seeing a Ju88 almost collide with a barrage balloon, stall in an attempt to avoid it and fall on top of the balloon! Fortunately for the crew the hydrogen-filled gasbag did not explode and the aircraft slid off although without forward speed. Luckily, Hptm Hajo Herrmann, Staffelkapitän of 7./KG30, was able to regain control, restart the engines, drop his load of mines and escape out to sea."

However, in his biography "Eagles Wings" there is no mention of this apart from the editor's footnote!

Has anyone further details?

Cheers
Brian

[Brian]

Hi guys

I am amazed that no one has come forward in relation to this enquiry!

Did it not happen?

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

Only other source is 'Battle over Britain'

[Brian Bines]

On page 66 of Eagles Wings he does say " I came into very close contact with a barrage baloon" while talking about operations in August. However the notes at the end of the chapter gives the date as 22 July. If I recall he was in a TV programme some years ago talking about his operations over the UK,

Brian Bines