Seeking ID of photo of FL Ju88A of 1.(F)/122 probably during Blitz in the winter of 1940/1

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I'm trying to ID this FL Ju88A of 1.(F)/122, which apparently belly landed sometime during the winter of 1940/41, probably during the Blitz. I can find no good candidate for this loss in the EOE Luft loss DB up to the end of 1940. Note the unit insignia on the nose, which I think is relatively rare in photography. The dating is based upon the crewman in the photo being in a life jacket, and several others dressed for colder weather. This could also be much later in the east, although I don't know how consistent that would be with a crewman wearing a life jacket. Does anyone have any info that would allow me to more precisely date this photo, and possibly other views of it that would allow an a/c code to be determined?

Thanx,

[Andy Mitchell]

Larry,

May be a bit off here but have you considered

16 Oct 1940
1(F)./122
Ju 88A-1
F6+LH
5047
Force landed at Lille-Vendeville on return from a recce over England, 60%. One crew member injured.

It may hinge on the terrain and your interpretation of 60% damage.......

My references are Mason and BoBTN(Mk4).

Will continue looking.

[Larry Hickey]

Andy,

Finally had time to study this again, and I think that the report you suggested is highly likely to be the ID for this a/c. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Does anyone else have images from this crash?

October 16, 1940:1.(F)/122 Junkers Ju88A-1 (5047). Crash-landed damaged at 1.(F)/122 Junkers Ju88A-1 (5047). Crash-landed damaged at Lille-Vendeville following sortie. No crew casualties. Aircraft F6+LH 60% damaged - write-off.

Regards,

[edNorth]

I think this possibly may not be same as Andy suggests (5047), if correct number reported in GQM losses. I have some reason for this. First damage to me seems much less than "60% Er" (a quite serious crash or heavy damage sustained in action). Usually ´clean belly landings´ (possibly due one engine has failed as shows the left prop had been feathered before landing and the other throttled back prior to touchdown) amounted to only approx. 15% - 35% and there is no visible enemy fire damage, but again may not show in this shot. Even under nose Gondola is hardly seriously crushed. Second, position of the tail Swasticka is "later position" (more forward and higher on fin, than for example shows on photo of W.Nr. 5045 9K+LR in Squadron/Signal Brian Filley "Ju 88 In action" Vol. I, no. 85, P.11) and there is no visible W.Nr. on top of fin of this one, unless it has been painted out. Lastly location seems off-airport but does not show that well. More info or photos are likely needed in establish positive indentification, but then its only my opinion. Lastly 5047 was apparently not a write-off. I know of two reports of this W.Nr. in Ultra in May and June 1944. The former report has version was A-12 (Dual-control trainer).

[Larry Hickey]

Ed,

Thanks for your reply. Your concern about the 60% damage is the same one that I share, although I'm well aware that appearance often doesn't match Luftwaffe-reported damage conditions from photos that show only part of the a/c. However, points well taken and appreciated. I readily acknowledge that this could be at some other time (1941?) or even some other theater, although the colder weather clothing and life vest on the crewmen don't immediately suggest Russia during the summer or early fall of 1941. I'm hoping that other photographs will surface, either with useful captions (this one has none), or angles showing more of the a/c, or more of the surrounding terrain, which might provide more definitive location and or time clues. Will keep you informed. In the meantime, if anyone else has any photos or info on this info, your help would be appreciated.

Regards,

[F19Gladiator]

Hi Larry,
There was a photo at eBay in Nov 2011 of what seems to be F6+LH in flying condition at Lille-Vendeville end of 1940:
Cheers
Goran

[edNorth]

Goran/Larry, there was another image on that ebay sale (about 12.11.2011), most likely same occation, at least stairs lying in same place behind. From that I had labelled it "A-1 F possibly F6+IH" (attached 1/3 forward view and this letter possibly under wing, just outside of cross) - But I agree this is may be totally wrong. Otherwise difference of this (F6+LH / IH) vs photo in first post, is that position of tail Hakenkrauz is not same. Othervise leg of third letter is close to fuselage cross, suggesting "L". Was this possibly W.Nr. 0388, later known with Erg.St.(F)/122 in May 41? I do not what to say more, in my view 5047 likely had single MG 15 in B-stand originally, but the images on eBay show twin MG 15 guns and internal armor.