Luftwaffe loss 30 November 1940

[zorglub]

Hello gentlemen ,

That day at 3pm , a german bomber crashed in a marsh at Ste Opportune-la-Mare in Normandy . Two airmen are reported having bailed out . Could someone identify that plane ( supposed to be a Ju88 ) with names and fate of crew members ? Thank you .

Zorglub

[Brian Bines]

There is a JU88 A-5 of 3/KFG 806 4072 which is shown as 60% after crashing with engine trouble near Le Harve following being attacked by fighters while on an armed recon. of the S/W coast of England . According to the KG 54 history the B Uffz Georg Micheel (shown as Harry Micheel in GQM report dated 2nd Dec.) and Bm Uffz Fritz Bachmann baled out over the sea and remain missing.The unnamed pilot then ditched the aircraft and he and the Bf were picked up by a Schnellboot from their dingy,

Regards
Brian Bines

[zorglub]

Thanks Brian .

However it's quite doubtful the pilot ditched it in a marsh , and certainly no Schnellboot going there ! Maybe another possibility ?

Zorglub

[Brian Bines]

Hello ZorGlub, I did wonder about this the GQM says bei Le Harve then lists the two crewmen baling out and then gives the aircraft as 60% which suggests a land or shallow water crash. This is the only crash I can see near the location you give and there in no mention in the GQM about rest of crew being rescued . Perhaps the ditching was an assumption unless it came down in the Seine, or the Ff and Bf baled out by Le Harve and were picked up while the other two baled out earlier mid-channel with the aircraft coming down at your location. I cannot find another aircraft near this location but perhaps someone may have an NVM or another document with more details,

Regards
Brian Bines

[zorglub]

Yes the crash-site location is south-east Le Havre so after all it could be our plane whose remains are still buried there .

Thanks for your research Brian .

Zorglub