He 111 crash of KG 54 - B3+EM or B3+FM ?

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Thanks to Peter C. and Peter T., we've now established the correct a/c code, B3+GM, for the Moors crew loss. I do not have any photos of this loss in the EOE Data Base. Is anyone aware of any sources for photos of this loss? Have any ever been published, appeared on eBay, or perhaps reside in someone's personal collection? And, very importantly, who was flying the well-photographed B3+EM, which force landed, almost certainly in France during the Western Campaign of May-June, 1940.

In doing a little further research on this, there are only three possibilities, as the other 4./KG54 losses during the WC have been identified, with codes known (if reported accurately).

1) Lt. Fraz Gottschling- POW Lille area; however, Peter Cornwell lists this He111 as "crashed and exploded S. of Templeuve." Seems to eliminate it based on photos of an intact B3+EM.

2) Uffz Franz Becker (with the StaKap, Hptm. Lother Maiwald as the BO), down apparently after combat in the Dunkirk area. Condition of the a/c not listed, but several not injured. Apparently not POWs, and photos of B3+EM are in the SHA-D (ex SHAA) collection, suggesting that B3+EM came down in an area under Allied control. This is far from conclusive, however, and this remains the best candidate for B3+EM.

3) A 4./KG54 He111 that was apparently written off at its base after returning seriously damaged from combat over Dunkirk. This appears to be an unlikely candidate.

So, anybody got any further evidence or ideas?

Thanks,