Researching Bf-109 Crash in Sth London

[Peter Cornwell]

The aircraft was Bf109E-4 (2780) that exploded under attack by P/O Draper of No.74 Sqdn. & fell apart over Welling at 1.45 pm on Sunday 20 October 1940. The pilot 65167/6 Oberfw Albert FRIEDEMANN of 6./JG52 fell dead & was originally buried in Service Grave E492 in Bexleyheath Cemetery on 29 October before reinterrment in Cannock Chase.

[Franek Grabowski]

Peter
The fact the aircraft exploded rules out it was the one seen by Craig's father.
Craig noted.

he told me the story of how the plane came down on fire in a flat spin. The pilot bailed out but his parachute caught fire and sadly he was killed. The fire went out before the plane struck the ground and was not badly damaged. He says there were no guns protruding from the wings so I presume it was an E-1 and it had the yellow cowling.

I presume, this aircraft may have not crashed at Welling but in a nearby village, unfortunately my knowledge of English geography disallows me a quick search.

[Peter Cornwell]

Franek,

In my experience you shouldn't place too much importance on eye-witness accounts. And certainly those quoted at second-hand at a distance of almost half a century. I stand by what I have said & published in BoBT&N back in 1980. The aircraft that fell at Wickham Street, Welling, was FRIEDEMANN's. The fact that it exploded doesn't mean that it disintegrated. The engine, forward fuselage, cockpit section, & wings fell as a complete unit, landing inverted off Plumstead Road, in Woolwich. Other wreckage being scattered over neighbouring areas of South London.

As to the question of armament, I quote the RAF Intelligence A.I.1.(g) Report on the incident that described the armament as '2 20mm. shell guns, 2 M.G.17's'. Photos of the incident confirm this statement.

[Franek Grabowski]

Nah, Peter, that is a convincing argument! I have checked Blitz, as well as had been suggested by a disintegrated remains of yet another Messerschmitt.
Importance of witnesses' accounts - well it does work both ways, depending on circumstances and the men involved. I think in this particular case, memories fit just perfectly.

[Peter Cornwell]

Franek,

Thank you - most gracious. Yes, of course, I accept that eye-witness accounts have their place, but if I was believe all those I have heard over the years, every Bf109 was yellow-nosed, & (this will amuse you) they were invariably shot down by a Polish pilot. In this particular case, as you say, the eye-witness account is accurate in most important respects.

In signing-off on this subject I must say 'thanks' to Rabe Anton for his remarks which are appreciated.

[Ruy Horta]

Craig,

Perhaps you can show these pictures to your father, he may be able to recollect more based on the visual evidence.

Also if we have established Oberfw Albert FRIEDEMANN of 6./JG52 as the pilot, perhaps we can find out more about him, his career and final f(l)ight: exploded under attack by P/O Draper of No.74 Sqdn. & fell apart over Welling at 1.45 pm on Sunday 20 October 1940?

[Ruy Horta]

According to Prien et al in JFV 4/II p. 161, WNr.2780 was marked Yellow 1 this is in accord with Barbas in II/JG 52, p. 301, incl possibility he was shot down by 74 Sqn.

Here's a profile of how the a/c may have looked, from:

SAM colours
Combat Colours Number 1
The Messerschmitt Bf 109E on the Western Front - 1940
by Peter Scott

p.42