Losses over UK February 1942

[Alex Smart]

Seeking details of Luftwaffe Losses over the UK in early February 1942.
Crewman's name from CWGC -
Gustav BORKOWSKI, buried at North Cotes (St.Nicholas) Churchyard, Lincolnshire.

Thanks
Alex

[Chris Goss]

Ofw Gustav Borkowski was the BO of a Do 217 E-2 of 6./KG 40 shot down by fighters off Happisburgh Lighthouse 2 Feb 42. He was picked up alive but died shortly after

[Chris Goss]

From my book:


The first loss of the month came on 2 February 1942. Two Do 217s of 6./KG 40 were reported attacking a convoy off Cromer so 19 Sqn scrambled two Spitfires from RAF Ludham and flown by Plt Off Maurice Devereux and Plt Off Jack Henderson after which a game of cat and mouse in and out of cloud followed during which time both the Do 217s as well as the Spitfires separated from each other and it was Henderson who had the luck when Oblt Ernst Eckert's bomber appeared out of cloud into a patch of blue sky. He immediately turned in behind and fired a burst of six seconds with no visible effect but then:

"Blue 2 attacked again from the port quarter and fired another long burst with cannon and machine gun from 300-200 yds. As a result, things immediately started to happen. The port engine caught fire and as Blue 2 continued with his attack, pieces flew off the port engine and a second fire started in either the rear cockpit or the starboard engine. He saw the port engine well alight and small flickering flames coming from the starboard engine. Thin black smoke was issuing from both engines and pieces were still flying off the aircraft. Two of the crew were seen to bale out and the enemy aircraft was last seen to be gliding down towards the sea in a gentle right hand turn through the cloud."

Although Ofw Gustav Borkowski (B) was picked up alive, he later died of exposure while both RAF pilots would not survive 1942. Maurice Devereux would be killed in an accident on 19 February 1942 while Jack Henderson, now with 234 Sqn, promoted to Flt Lt and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, was shot down and killed on 22 December 1942 by a Fw 190 flown by Uffz Helmut Becker of 8./JG 2.

[Alex Smart]

Grateful thanks Chris for your swift response.
The details of the encounter is most welcome. Thoughts of sadness now for those involved.
Alex