Help with photos of Ju88A-1 crashed in France on 09.05.40

[Matti Salonen]

1940-04-17, 3./KG 30, Ju 88 A-1, Namur
Notlandung. Besatzung zurück. Bruch ? %.

Matti

[Larry Hickey]

Matti,

I don't have this one in our EoE LW Loss/Damage DB. I presume that this is at Namur, Belgium. Does anyone have any other info on this incident?

[Larry Hickey]

Matti,

If this entry is correct, it would have been during the Scandinavian Campaign, when 3./KG30 should have been in Norway, although I don't specifically know what 3./KG30 was doing at that time. If this crew landed a Ju88 in neutral Belgium, with the crew returning, I would expect photos or some other info or documentation to exist.

Does anyone know any more about this entry? Is it perhaps a typo for a base in Norway?

[Merlin]

Matti,

I have this one as 4D+BL at Namsos during the night 17./18.04.40.

[Matti Salonen]

It seems tha my secondary source is wrong. This loss is not registered by GQM and I cannot find a note, where I have got this from. It really would be odd, if some one operating in Norway, crashes in Belgien. Namsos is more logical. Better to forget my previous message and trust Merlin .

Matti

[Larry Hickey]

Hello all,

It is now apparent that this is the same incident as reported on the excellent website: http://ktsorens.tihlde.org/flyvrak/garstad.html

The location was apparently NE of "Namsos," Norway, and happened on 18 April 1940.

We carry this in the EoE LW Loss DB as:

18 April 1940: 3./KG30 Junkers Ju88A-1. Run low on fuel during unsuccessful sortie to attack aircraft carrier Furious off Narvik and forced-landed on Breivika Farm, Mellom-Vikna, 30 miles north-east of Namsos. FF Lt Hermann Peter, BO Oberfw Eugen Drexler, BF Fw Rudolf Napparell, and BS Uffz Günter Burmeister all captured unhurt. Aircraft 4D+BL fired by crew 100% write-off.
This crew was taken aboard HMS Cairo and landed at Scapa Flow on April 22."

While an important incident for our EoE Project series on the Scandinavian Campaign, it is clear that this was not in France, and doesn't apply to the Phoney War incidents in France that I was looking for. The conclusion remains that there were only two Ju88s that came down on French Soil during the Phoney War.

[Melvin Brownless]

Hi Larry and everyone else who has added to this thread. Some of you may already know that I have been researching 1./(F)123 for a number of years, and I too would be very interested in obtaining a copy of the crash photo to add to our website. I have pictures of the four crew and their report of captivity. This report was submitted to Oblt. Goebel on their return to the Staffel;

Here is a copy of the report in English;

9th May 1940

Two Months in French Captivity

At around 9.00 am we started on a reconnaissance mission southwest of Paris with our „Anton“. Crew: Leutnant Franz Oswald, Stabsfeldwebel Georg Kühhorn, Unteroffizier Ewald Stratmann und Unteroffizier Franz Bauer.

We flew at a great height. Under us lay an almost solid blanket of cloud. Shortly before the reconnaissance area gaps appeared in the cloud cover, and then almost a cloudless sky. The weather was, therefore, excellent for us and we hoped to return with valuable photographs. No wonder we were in great spirits. Even more so because after our return 4 days holiday lay before us and our Gunner who was making his first enemy flight was also celebrating his 25th birthday.

However, our spirits were soon to be dampened. The right engine slowed down and stopped. That meant immediate return to base and an attempt, using the cloud cover as protection, to reach the border 400 km away. That became impossible as the left engine also began to slow down and we lost more and more height. As we slowly sank, we again and again familiarised ourselves with the thought of making an emergency landing on enemy soil.

We searched for a suitable emergency landing area that would give us the possibility of destroying the aircraft and of escaping.

Suddenly the Observer shouted „Fighters!“ Three Curtis’ came straight towards us and pulled up before us at an angle. They hung back at a distance of 400 metres. The only thing left to do was the emergency landing and we prepared ourselves for this. I quickly gave out a radio message, „Fighters and emergency landing“. We positioned the incendiary bombs. Our Pilot landed the machine on its belly in a grain field, 100 metres before the first houses of a small village. The incendiary bombs in position, we ran from the aircraft! I took the emergency rations with me. We tried to reach the nearby wood for temporary safety. The wood, in which we hoped to find a hiding place was however too small and not suitable for our purposes. Suddenly we heard a powerful explosion and saw our Anton go up in flames.

Events continued. After 10 minutes, we were followed by a vehicle in which sat a French policeman and four farmers armed with shotguns. Further flight and resistance appeared to be pointless. We were forced to surrender and were taken back to the almost totally burned-out aircraft. With a feeling of satisfaction, we established that the French wouldn’t be able to get anything from it.

All items that were in our pockets were taken away from us. One of the first questions posed applied to the type of aircraft, but about this we gave nothing away.

After about an hour had passed, 10 vehicles with French Unteroffizieren and two large trucks with white and black crews arrived. We were taken in a truck to the nearest airforce base (B). The escort attempted to begin questioning us on the way, an effort that was futile. After arriving we were given something to eat and were afterwards interrogated individually.

When I entered the room giving the Nazi salute I was greeted with annoyed and astonished faces. The questioning itself proceeded on an almost pleasant note. I refused though to make any statement. As they led us to a secure vehicle we are starred at. Countless soldiers and civilians, who were probably seeing German airmen for the first time. Under guard of eight men we were taken to the prison in B. When we entered the room, Leutnant Oswald’s cap was knocked from his head by a policeman, who then trod on it.

Once again they took our personal details, as well as a physical description and our fingerprints were immortalised in a rogues gallery. One felt like a serious criminal who had committed murder. In the single cell into which I was subsequently taken, there stood a table which was fixed to the ground and a bed with two blankets. I had to strip down to my shirt and underpants and hand over the clothing which I had removed. That was, therefore, our first night in France.

At 04.30 I was awoken by the wailing of the sirens. Air raid! Now I knew for sure, that the battle continued, although unfortunately without me. The constantly increasing roar of the engines which followed shortly thereafter, was for me the first greeting from home. At 05.00 we were awoken. Breakfast consisted of a piece of bread. Again loaded in a closed vehicle, the journey which lasted six hours began. A small hole in the panel enabled us to guess at the direction in which we were travelling. The journey ended, as suspected, in Dole by Dijon.

Again we were imprisoned in single cells at a command post. Unfortunately, although thoughts of escape were accentuated by the nearby Swiss border, there was no possibility of this.

Already on the same afternoon we were questioned again. The five minute walk to the interrogation was like running the gauntlet through the jeering and grumbling civilian population. Guards armed with rifles and bayonets walked in front and behind me. Arriving at the destination, I was immediately shouted at because once again I entered using the Nazi salute and was instructed that that was not permitted here.

At the table sat two Oberstleutnant, one of the Air Force and one of the Army and a clerk to take notes. At first they tried to find something out in a calm manner. When this proved unsuccessful, the voices grew more and more agitated, thereafter escalating to swear words such as murderers, pigs and culminating in the threat of being shot. But even that couldn’t unsettle me. The Oberstleutnant who was leading the interrogation explained, probably to highlight the danger of my situation, that today (10.05.40) German troops marched into Holland and Belgium and had bombed France and Switzerland. I didn’t believe a word he said, even when he wanted to give me his word of honour. I made it clear to him that I could not believe a word he said as long as he considered the treatment of us POWs in line with his honour as an officer. At the same time I made him aware of the fact that my section had been informed by radio of our imprisonment and, therefore, he would never succeed in justifying my execution by pretending that I had been shot down or killed in a plane crash.

The interrogation ended after one hour. Again I gave the Nazi salute. I was called back and instructed that I had to greet in a military manner. On replying that without a cap, this greeting was a military one and if they wished me to give another form of greeting they should return my headgear and other belongings, I was wordlessly dismissed and shown back to my cell.

Shortly thereafter I was placed in the cell of Unteroffizier Bauer. New prisoners had arrived and there was no longer enough space to hold us individually. I spent the night on a plank bed with damp straw.
At breakfast the next day – a piece of bread and a glass of water – we met the new prisoners, including Feldwebel A who had been shot down in the vicinity. With great satisfaction I listened to his report of the events on 10 May and his message that the Squadron presumed that we had been imprisoned.


The Italian radio broadcast would have sent out a report that could only have referred to us. A weight was lifted from my shoulders, as the family members would have been comforted by this and could have faith in our return.

Again we proceed in a closed vehicle. After a six hour journey we found ourselves in the prison at Eperney and another eight days solitary confinement. I never dreamt that I would spend Whitsun in a French prison.
We were only allowed outdoors for one hour a day.

In a small courtyard, surrounded by high walls, you could stretch your legs. Most of the time two prisoners were present in the yard. I was very careful during conversations and that was good because, as later it was established, spies had been planted among us. We owed the only variation in our otherwise wretched loneliness to our air force. One air raid warning followed the other. That went on all day.

On 18.05.40, together with seven other comrades who were not known to me, I was again taken to the transport and brought to Camp Gravant bei Auxerre. Here a larger prison camp was under construction. Only a small part was ready. Everything was surrounded by high barbed-wire barriers. A French Leutnant received us with a torrent of abuse and threats. After a thorough search we could finally join the other prisoners, amongst whom to my delight I found our old second in command (Vize) and Unteroffizier Bauer. They had already been here for 3 days. After again providing my personal details, all my belongings were stamped „PG“ and I retained my No. 125.

Finally one could once again be sure that he among comrades. The Corporals were placed in one barracks, while the crews were placed in two others. As the oldest member of the camp, Stabsfeldwebel Kühorn was responsible for the work detail and order in the camp.

At 05.00 wake-up call, at 05.45 fall in. Usually roll call took a long time, as the Sergeants constantly miscounted. Thereafter march-off to the labour service, which included the construction of streets, water towers and barbed wire fences, forestry, carpentry, earthwork, digging of trenches and building of machine gun turrets. Each group was accompanied by several guards and a Sergeant. If work didn’t proceed in the way the French had intended it to, the supervising German Unteroffizier was jailed for several days.

One day there was a big commotion. The French had found a swastika imprinted into a fresh block of concrete. The supervising Unteroffizier was imprisoned for fourteen days. As a result of this six Unteroffiziere refused to continue working. They were removed in chains and were sentenced to five years intensive imprisonment by the wartime Court. They were taken to the prison in Dijon. Among them was an airman, who had lost his eye due to a shooting incident. He received absolutely no treatment. Despite his wound he was kept in a darkened cell until his extradition.


Lunch was at 11.30. We received a thin soup containing either rice, swede or lentils. Accompanied by a slice of bread and a mug of red wine. At 13.00 it was again time to fall in, be counted and march-off to the labour service until 18.00. The evening meal was the same as at midday. At 21.00 everyone had to lay in bed. During our leisure time books and games were at our disposal. When everyone was in bed, the „Gravant Sender“ reported on the latest news acquired either from civilians or unnoticed from the „Paris-Soir“. From this we could build up a pretty good picture of the true situation.

Almost daily, heavily chained and guarded prisoners arrived in the camp. They brought welcome news, from which we learned how many lies the „Paris-Soir“ contained. At 21.10, after the end of the news service, came the broadcast: colourful and entertaining, containing a variety of mouth organists, singers and jokes in its programme.

Twice we experienced a bomb attack in the camp. The first time three bombs fell in close proximity to the brightly lit camp. After the second attack the lights were extinguished during the night and the guards were reinforced. Apart from the permanent posts behind the barbed wire, extra guards were posted at the exits of the barracks with the order to shoot immediately if the doors were opened.

In the next few days the camp’s intake increased more and more. They were almost exclusively prisoners from the camps close to the front. We were now 1,400 men. Daily, more and more trains passed the camp filled with French refugees, who swore at us incessantly.

It was the 13th June. We were given orders to prepare for march-off. On the 14th of this month at around 10.00 we were loaded onto goods wagons. In each wagon with a 15 square metre area, were placed 34 men and 2 guards. We received one piece of bread and a tin of sardines as field rations. That was supposed to last for two days. We left at 12 noon and arrived in the vicinity of Clamecy. As we later found out, German troops had occupied the camp just six hours after our departure. The journey seemed to last forever. During the day the train stood mostly on a sidetrack and at night it moved on for a few hours.

On the 15th of that month we arrived in St Florent via Bourges. We reached Issoudun the next day and finally arrived in Toulouse at 23.00 on the 17th June. We were completely shattered. At no time during the five days did we receive rations. Only the third day brought some relief, in so far as it rained. We caught the water that ran down the roof and quenched our thirst with it. At night only half of us could sleep, while the others had to stand, because there was not enough space for all of us to lie down. At the train stations the public swore at us, spat on us and pelted us with stones. Especially the women distinguished themselves. It wouldn’t have taken much for them to storm our wagons. Only with tremendous effort did the guards manage to hold back the angry mob from doing the worst.

We were offloaded at a station in a suburb of Toulouse. After an hour long march we arrived at the stadium in Toulouse at 01.30 am. Absolutely no preparations had been made there. In the open air, without blankets, we had to lie down on the stands. The night was bitterly cold. However, being tired and hungry, we felt almost nothing. Even if we received a piece of bread and sausage the next day, what effect would that have on our hunger? Nothing! We continue to go hungry.

On the 19th June we again marched-off to the station. We were supposed to be given a better camp. After a four hour journey we reached Saverdun. A further march of 10 km lay before us. We marched in step and sang our songs despite them being forbidden for so long until the guards silently accepted it. Finally at 18.00 the destination Mazeres was reached.

As a result of the experiences with the French public during the transport, a French officer went ahead and ordered the inhabitants who were standing on each side of the road to behave in an orderly manner. However, a priest couldn’t control himself and swore at us until the officer stopped him.

If we now carried any hope of finding a somewhat decent camp, we were to experience bitter disappointment. They led us into an old, dilapidated brickworks which was encircled by barbed wire. Not one window pane was still intact. We were nearly choking on the dust which swirled up from every step. Only some straw lay around for us to sleep on. Spanish communist refugees had once lain here before us. Rations consisted almost exclusively of rice. 50 kg had to be sufficient for 1,500 men. During the day we could move around the area within the barbed wire. The nights were very cold. We slept without blankets on the thin layers of straw. The wind howled through the windows. No wonder, that a large number of us were ill. Every day more than 10 men had to be taken to the hospital. No man could last long here. We hoped and hoped every day for a ceasefire, to finally get out of this hole.

Suddenly on 23 June all airmen had to assemble. We were allegedly going to be handed over. This was, however, almost immediately called off.
Eventually we found out from the French that the ceasefire was in force. Thank God. We were overcome by an unrestrained and indescribable feeling of joy. Our hopes of being handed over were great. However, one day followed another, and still nothing happening. Slowly we became impatient and demanded a connection with the German troops or the dispatch of a German officer. This was promised time and time again, but they did not adhere to this. The situation became more and more disturbing, almost unbearable. More and more people were taken to hospital. We decided to make a final attempt through the French Oberst to be allowed to make contact with the German troops. In the event that this was not permitted, we threatened to set fire to the brickworks. Following this, Stabsfeldwebel Kühorn and an interpreter drove with the Oberst to Toulouse to meet with the Kommandierenden General.

However, on arrival, our second in command had to wait outside in the car until the negotiations were completed. He was told that we would be handed over tomorrow. The senior member of our camp was not satisfied with this and insisted on a written order, which the Oberst then, in fact, obtained.

There was much jubilation when our Stabsfeldwebel later brought the good news to the camp. Late into the night German songs rang out. Almost all of us gave no thought to sleep.

The day, for which we had been yearning, arrived. In the early morning hours of the 30th June we marched in step, the England song on our lips, through the streets of Mazeres. Our eyes shone. The inhabitants, awoken by our dynamic songs, looked down from the windows at the soldiers marching with German discipline. By 07.30 the train had departed from Saverdun. As soon as it stopped along the way, we quickly picked wild flowers. After a short time, the train was festively bedecked.

From Toulouse over Montauban, Agen and Macaire. At 14.50 we reached our destination.
Our joy was indescribable when we were welcomed there wholeheartedly by German troops.

Finally, finally the time of suffering was at an end. We were free and once again among German comrades. We were divided up into different units. Waiting motor vehicles took us through Bordeaux to Marmande, where our German troops gave us the warmest greeting. I was placed in the quarters of the first battery and was accepted wholeheartedly. Finally, after eight weeks I could once again eat until I was full. One day the battery was transferred. I moved with them even though I should have stayed on there for a few days to recuperate.

In Bordeaux an order reached us, that we should head for the station. Here, among the officers, we found our Observer Leutnant Oswald and went with him to the airfield. Due to the fact that, at that moment, there were not enough aircraft there, we stayed in Bordeaux for another day and the next morning, 3rd June, travelled by bus to Poitiers and on the next day to Orleans. On the night of the 5th July we reached Versailles and while searching for overnight accommodation, a bus filled with the flight comrades of my Squadron, who at first glance did not recognise me at all, suddenly stood before me. Then, however, the joy was even greater. For the first time in a long time I once again felt completely happy. Immediately I went with them and reported to the Staffelkapitän.

After convalescent leave, we now went against England with renewed strength.

[Larry Hickey]

Melvin,

This account about the May 9, 1940 1.(F)/123 Ju88A-1 loss is absolutely wonderful! Too bad we don't have such documents on all the Phoney War LW losses. There is an important clue here to the full code of the crashed aircraft shown in the photo provided by Frederic Henoff, which I now have. The source of the debriefing report, the Bordfunker, Uffz Ewald Stratmann, refers to their plane as "Anton" which indicates to me that it was coded 4U+AH. Is that consistent with your information? The full code would be new information for our loss DB.

I will provide you with Frederic's direct email address, and you can work out the acquisition of the photo of this a/c directly with him. We haven't been in touch for about three years, and I hope that your email address is still the same. If it isn't, please send me an email with your updated address. I will respond. I would very much appreciate a copy of the photo of the four crewmen to which you refer. That would be the icing on the cake!

Regards,

[edNorth]

Anton here does not indicate fuselage code, merely it was A subtype.

*Incorrect remark here; but Anton was also used in connection to sub-series.
How many fighter pilots flew not "Gustafs" (Bf 109 G´s)
Details on photos consistent with early Ju 88 A-1 F (Recce).

-Ed

[Melvin Brownless]

Ed,

Larry is correct that "Anton" was their machine (4U + AH). the BH was Bertha, CH Cäsar, KH Kurfürst, etc, etc. All the reports I have that were made by 1./(F)123 crews use these terms for the aircraft they are flying.

Merry Christmas All,

Melvin

www.aircrewremembrancesociety.co.uk