RAF nightfighter claim on Ju 88 22/23rd Feb 1944

[Brian Bines]

Hans good to hear from you, I have pulled my file out so I hope this helps - the wreckage at Buxley Sands was looked at by an Essex Aviation group in 1976 and several exhibits were on display at Duxford. It appears that the B3+JP was engaged by three AA sites and seen to crash at 0015hrs in position M5725 Buxley Sands rather than 2215hrs as the crash report. The wreckage was spotted next day by an RAF Walrus which led to its inspection and the crash report. Although the crash report states four dead in wreckage I believe only the pilot and gunners bodies were recovered, they were initially buried at Brightlingsea and are now at Cannock. The Bf's body was found off the Essex Coast on May 9th and buried at sea, and as you have previously stated the body of the B was washed ashore near Petten on 17th June,

Regards

Brian

[Hans Nauta]

Hello Brian,

A very plausible outcome of your research. So, victim of AA and not of a nightfighter. No wonder that it was difficult if not impossible to find a matching claim!

Best regards,
Hans

[David Pausey]

Hello Hans

F/L D.M.Dixon, W/O Jarvis of 85 Sqn claimed a Ju188 damaged at R.1223 at 00:45 hrs and another Ju188 damaged at sq.R.53 at 01:07 hrs. Hope this is of some help.
Cheers
David