Any Wellington specialists here? Front or tail? - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

xraymmx · #1 11th April 2010, 14:53

I'm digging around on the crashsite of the Wellington X3408 75 squadron.
Haven't found anything spectaculair but I was wondering what I'm looking at.

90% comes from 1 square meter. I was wondering wich part lies there? Front or Tail?

Pictures can be seen here:
http://s515.photobucket.com/albums/t...ngton%20X3408/

Ray

Icare9 · #2 11th April 2010, 18:39

Hi, fro what I can find, X3408 was reported as having crashed "in the target area" on an Operation to Essen on 2/3 June 1942. All crew (1st completely RNZAF) captured.

However I see that "elsewhere" you were informed that Ives was captured in Eindhoven. Now, I am not great at geography but even I know that Essen and Eindhoven are not next to each other, so it looks as if the aircraft could have crashed where you are digging.
What makes you so sure it's X3408 and not some other Wellington, perhaps still with crew?

xraymmx · #3 11th April 2010, 19:49

I know this because of what Ives told me. Also the memoirs of Mayall proof my theorie, and I have police reports of the crash. All together this is X3408. And the crew was captured between my village and Eindhoven. Two wounded crew members were arrested in my village (Aalst -Waalre)

Greetings,
Ray

Icare9 · #4 11th April 2010, 23:09

Thanks, Ray, Hoped that was the reason, but I had to ask as not clear where the ID came from...

Theo Boiten · #5 12th April 2010, 08:50

Dear Ray,

Could you please confirm that X3408 actually crashed near Aalst-Waalre, and also the time of the crash? I am asking this, because I have a Wellington claim by Hptm. Streib

Hptm. Werner Streib: 29 Stab I./NJG1 Wellington 600 m. E. Dülken/5 km. W. Viersen (5B) 01.35

for which I have been unable to find a matching Bomber Command loss, maybe the loss of X3408 fits to this Nachtjagd Abschuss?

Cheers & thanks, Theo

xraymmx · #6 12th April 2010, 12:19

It was clearly in Aalst Waalre the 3rd of june at 03.10 hours.
It was hit by flak in the target area and later on the way back it had again been troubled by flak over Duisburg. THis caused them to fly at 50 feet when finaly one engine gave up.
They were forced to land in my village on top of a young fur tree forest.
The plane broke in half, and before there escape the crew set it on fire.

Ray

Theo Boiten · #7 12th April 2010, 13:48

Thanks Ray for your elaborate answer, that indicates that Streib was not responsible for the downing of X3408, his claim therefore remains a mystery to me!

Cheers, Theo

Henk Welting · #8 12th April 2010, 15:55

As crash location I've near the "Hut of Mie Peels" at Waalre, about 03.47 hrs.
Regards,
Henk.

xraymmx · #9 12th April 2010, 17:45

That's right.
The hut of Mie Peels is in Aalst-Waalre.

Ray

xraymmx · #10 14th April 2010, 22:54

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