The Eagles Over Europe Project

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

This unit was nearly wiped out on this final raid over England on 27 Sept 1940. I have photos for the crashes/FL of L1+XB and L1+LL but I'm seeking to document photographically the wreckage of these four other losses that day, for which photos may exist:

"13.(Z)/LG1 Messerschmitt Bf110D-0 (3304). Engaged by fighters over Redhill during sortie to London and shot down in repeated attacks by S/L E.A. McNab and F/O B.D. Russell of No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron, and P/O C.F. Currant of No.605 Squadron. Dived into the ground behind ‘The Gale’ at Chelwood Gate in Ashdown Forest 9.40 a.m. Probably also that attacked by F/L J.M. Strickland and F/L J.E.J. Sing of No.213 Squadron. FF Fw Adolf Bruns and BF Gefr Franz Gröbl both killed. Aircraft L1+CH 100% write-off.
Originally buried in All Saints churchyard at Danehill, Adolf Bruns was repatriated to Germany for reburial postwar. Site excavated by the Wealden Aviation Archaeological Group in 1973. Remains of Daimler-Benz DB 601 engine recovered with manufacturer’s badge. Bullet-scarred propeller blade recovered in 1940 also donated by a local resident. Site investigated by the London Air Museum which excavated a propeller boss with one blade and a map box containing remains of four charred maps. Propeller blade and map box now in the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum.

14.(Z)/LG1 Messerschmitt Bf110C-2 (3548). Engaged by fighters over Redhill during sortie to London and believed that which exploded under attack by F/O A.F. Eckford of No.253 Squadron and crashed on Coppice Farm at Three Cups, Dallington, near Heathfield, 9.50 a.m. Possibly also that claimed by P/O A.G. Lewis of No.249 Squadron. FF Fw Friedrich Lindemann killed, BF Obergefr Artur Hübner baled out but parachute failed and killed. Aircraft L1+CK 100% write-off.
Site investigated by the Wealden Aviation Archaeological Group in 1975 and mainspar recovered from nearby ditch.

15.(Z)/LG1 Messerschmitt Bf110D-0 (3147). Intercepted by fighters during free-lance sortie over Redhill and attacked by many pilots including F/O P.W. Lochnan of No.1 (RCAF) Squadron, Sgt R.D. Hogg of No.17 Squadron, Sgt H.J.R. Barrow of No.213 Squadron, and P/O W.P. Hopkin of No.602 Squadron. Pursued at low level over Gatwick aerodrome where engaged by ground defences and crashed in flames and exploded 10.00 a.m. FF Oberlt Ulrich Fr von Gravenreuth (Staffelkapitän) and BF Fw Otto Reinhold both killed. Aircraft L1+BL 100% write-off.

15.(Z)/LG1 Messerschmitt Bf110C-2 (3849). Engaged by fighters during free-lance sortie over Redhill and starboard engine set alight and gunner killed in attacks by P/O D.C. Leary of No.17 Squadron, F/O W. Urbanowicz of No.303 Squadron, S/L H.A.V. Hogan of No.501 Squadron, and F/O P.P.C. Barthropp of No.602 Squadron. Abandoned aircraft crashed and burned out at Horham Manor Farm, near Horam, 9.50 a.m. Believed that also attacked by P/O W.B. Pattullo of No.46 Squadron. FF Uffz Hans Bechthold baled out and captured slightly wounded, BF Uffz Hans Koch killed. Aircraft L1+GL a write-off.
This was a 14 Staffel crew flying a 15 Staffel aircraft."