KG.66 Pathfinder Ju.188 @ Havering Atte Bower (Romford), 13th Jan 1944

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Crash was 13 Feb 44 not January which would have been before Steinbock.

Ju 88S-1 140606 Z6+HH of 1./KG 66.

Pilot lost control when coned but also claimed by AA and 410 Sqn.

Pilot was killed as was BO while the only survivor was the BF who was seriously injured.

Uffz Herbert Ehling and Fw Josef Weickert killed, Uffz Helmut Niedack POW

'



Many Thanks indeed Chris for coming 'to my rescue' regarding the specifics

Most importantly : Thanks for the correction on the date : Me being one month "out"

Reading subsequent posts following yours, it's clear that 'discrepancy' helped folks find it

My mistake of assuming it was during the actual 'Steinbock' phase

You & I have conversed before (several times) & trust me, I was REALLY hoping that you (of all people) would "chime up" (laughs !)

I've bought several of your books over the years ("Biscay" springs to mind) & I've always been intrigued

I am sincerely most grateful for the "Fuselage Codes" & work number (serial) too.

Worth noting to folks that don't "know" Romford, Chadwell Heath, or Havering Atte Bower like I do - There was (is) a major London "A.A" site on the far North Eastern edge of Chadwell Heath along the A.12 "Eastern Avenue" which leads immediately to Romford , with both "Bedford's Park" (actual crash site) & the quaint hamlet of "Havering Atte Bower" being imediately to the North (North-East)

IIRC, the "A.A" site now has some (albeit, too late) "listed status" to it's name
Great pity that (actually) NOTHING was done about it for the first 50-years : Typical.

My entire life did/was/had revolved around this entire area, hence my interest.

I say that, as I really do mean the first 42+ years of both mine & my family's life.
We've now (since) moved away 20+ years ago, near some 8th AF B.24 Liberator bases.

I'll take it that "B.F" means "BordFunker" or suchlike ?
( please excuse any mis-spelling ! )

Chris, I notice you mentioned "Uffz Helmut Niedack POW"

It now seems clear that Uffz Helmut Niedack (& not the pilot) was the guy who returned to the archaeological dig site, many decades later.

The actual crash site is just on the edge of "Bedford's Park" near "Orange Tree Hill" as it's known locally -
I can't even begin to tell ya as to just how many times I've been just yards from there !!
Playing football, hide & seek with the kids, watching a Jean Micheal Jarre concert there... & walking out dogs, etc, etc
& always riding both my 1,000cc Suzuki & Kawasaki past that spot.

Indeed there were two other points to mention - Ford Motor Co. had an Admin house (near the "Orange Tree Pub") called "Bower House"
I'm not sure if it's still there, but I remember it being a listed building.

Lastly, 1970's USA Rock Star SUZI QUATTRO had a flash house dead opposite the crash site, tho', back at the height of her stardom, I doubt she knew anything about the wartime incident.

Kind Regards again for the vital info' - It's VERY much appreciated Chris - Thanks.

P.S : I will now correct the title from '188 to '88 - Cheers !!


https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/sites/defaul...-Appraisal.pdf

Pages 13,14 & 15 make for interesting reading !!!!

https://beyondthepoint.co.uk/chadwel...h-haa-battery/ - Despite being 'Historic' you can tell that Graffiti has taken it's toll

I know that Winston Churchill visited the Chadwell Heath (Romford) AA site several times & photographs were taken of him there.

The battery was situated to deal with ALL German Bombers on the Eastern Thames approach to London.

Bet your bottom dollar that THIS Ack Ack battery WERE the ones who co-claimed Niedack's Ju.88-S

.