An Me.108 that crash landed at RAF Stn. FORD.

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Stephen,

From The Blitz Then and Now Volume 3, Winston Ramsey, page 295:

September 11
Geschwader Stab/KG40
Messerschmitt Bf.108B-1 (2014). Either flown by defectors or became lost while on an internal flight. Intercepted by a Mosquito which panicked the pilot who crashed attempting a belly landing with undercarriage up at Ford Airfield 4.55 pm. Uffz J. Suppinger killed. Uffz V. Packer taken prisoner injured. Aircraft F8+CA wrecked.

Curious event, though!

Regards,
Hans Nauta

[Brian Bines]

Hi Stephen,

I beleive this has been reported as a planned desertion,the aircraft took off from Chateaudon and crossed the English coast at Selsey Bill firing red and wight flares. It then flew over RNAS Ford firing flares but was chased by a Mosquito which opened fire but did not hit the 108. This apparantly unerved the pilot Uffz Jonni Suppinger who failed to lock the u/c in the down position causing the 108 to crashland. Suppinger was severly injured and died a few hours later at Fords sick quarters while Uffz Victor Packer was taken prisoner with light injuries,

Regards
Brian Bines