Info wanted on Bf109E crash in Surrey 1940

[drew.s]

Hi all
I am looking for any information regarding this crash as I live very close to the site.

Date: 30-09-1940
Pilot: Gustav Strasser of 6/JG 52
Plane: Bf109 E-1 Werk No.3192
Crash site: Tadworth, Surrey.

Pilot bailed out over Dorking, injured but survived.
Eye witness reported plane crashed into base of tree and caught fire, yellow engine cowel with large eagle painted on it.

Below is the eagle I think the witness is describing but not completely sure.



Any further info welcomed in particular any pictures showing this eagle on cowel (So far I have only found one photo, Page 38 Bf109 a comprehensive guide for the modeller by Lynn Ritger).
Regards
Drew

[Nefiakoff]

Hi,
I can add that Strasser was a Gefreiter.
Regards,
Nef

[drew.s]

Thanks Nef for the info.
Is that a corporal?
Regards
Drew

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

This eagle design has widely been reported as Black with white trim, but I have researched this carefully and am convinced that it was blue with a white outline. This is consistent with many photos as well as written reports from crash investigations during the BoB.

Regards,

[Melvin Brownless]

Hi all,

I believe the attached A.I.(g) Crashed Enemy Aircraft report relates to the Me 109E you are talking about at Kingswood?

Regards,

Melvin

www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com

[drew.s]

Thanks Melvin
That is great I now have the engine number as well, I will add this report to my scrap book.
I have a number of eye witness reports gathered from local people and will dig these out and post them if anyone is interested.
Also is there a way to use the wartime map reference in google maps?

And thank you Larry
Is it possible to post the pictures you have or point me in the right direction of the reference books in which they appear.

Regards
Drew

[Nefiakoff]

Hello Drew,
That's right - corporal.
Regards and all the best in 2011.
Nef

[Yeomans]

Drew,

Strasser landed by parachute just north of Yew Tree Road in Dorking. He was reported as being badly burnt about the head and face and was unconscious when he landed. He was rushed to Dorking General Hospital by Canadian soldiers.

One wing of the aircraft apparently broke off over Walton Heath and on crashing at around 2.00pm the rest of the aircraft broke up at a location reported as bordering the Heath about 200 yards from a school and not far from the Blue Anchor.

I know the locations well as I too am local.

Nick

[drew.s]

Hi Nick

Great info thanks, I live on Epsom downs and walk my dog on the Heath quite a bit. I have often wondered where the plane crashed, do you have an acurate location? PM me if you like.
I also heard a story that someone was arrested by a local Bobby carrying the rudder from this crash as a trophy back to the Blue Anchor pub.
Regards
Drew

[Yeomans]

Drew,

I've read the same story it appears in Simon Parry's excellant book as follows:

" Mr. Killick, the caretaker of the school some 200 yards from where the plane fell, ran to the crashed aircraft intent on procurring a substantial souvenir. He managed to drag the complete tail section some 400 yards across the green to The Blue Anchor Inn. The RAF arrived and there was an exchange of words , later the RAF removed his trophy".

I imagine the school in question must be Tadworth Primary School but haven't established that as a fact. The head master at the time was a Mr. Bishop (again according to Simon Parry's book), so it really shouldn't be too difficult to work it out.

I'm in Dorking and the local ARP map from the period indicateds where Strasser landed.

Nick