3 June 1942 Ju88 shot down off Southwold, Suffolk

[Arthur 'Digger' Arculus]

Greetings, to all who participated to this ‘Thread’,
Although I cannot confirm which Ju88 was shot down by the Rear Gunner of the Wellington, I will, if I may, try not to bore you with my thoughts on this episode:-

Now we come to the part in which I have to say either ‘Yes’ I know the Ju88 that was shot down or, ‘No. I unfortunately have to answer ‘NO’ to this question.
I can only surmise which one it was and my reasons.
The Ju88 that I THINK is the aircraft shot down by the Wellington that night was:-
Ju88 D-1 Werk No. 1591 Code. F6+CL of 3. (F)/122 (Luftflotte 3)
The crew comprised;-
Pilot. Oblt. Friedrich Raschke
Fwble. (Karl Bachmann.
Uffz. Joseph Steigerwald.
Gfr. Karl Schwart.
All of whom are listed as ‘missing.
This aircraft was on a reconnaissance en route to or from Scotland and was reported as ‘missing’. The time Sgt Hirst shot down a Ju88 was0248 hours on the 3 June 1942. My puzzle is:-
1. Why was the Ju88 30 miles off the Southwold, Suffolk coast when shot down?
a. Had it come across from Germany, or returning to, at a narrower part of the North Sea to save the long overwater flight?
b. Spotted the Wellington and thinking that it may have a relaxed crew aboard due to being close to home after a raid?
c. It appears strange if it was the reconnaissance aircraft to attack the Wellington when its sole job was to take photograph’s, unless they thought they had an easy target, but Sgt. Sharp and Sgt.Hirst were very much awake.

According to the combat report the Ju88 made two attacks and was each time identified as a Ju88 by the Wellington crew.
In the end I have nothing positive, but this Ju88 was one of two ‘missing’ that night, the other was a bomber and the main attack was on Canterbury with was well south of the Wellington encounter.
We may never know the true identity of that Ju88, but someone may come up with the proof that we are seeking
One thing all these years later, we must have some feeling for the German families of the four crew members lost that night just as we have for the families of the Wellington who, only a short time later were killed themselves. What a terrible toll war has on those young men, whatever side they were on, both were doing their duty.

I do thank everyone who has assisted me on this search for the truth, and that is what our main aim is – the truth.
thanks again,
Digger

[edNorth]

Hi agin,
I would put my bet on the RAF Havoc after all, and no Ju 88 shot down.
The said airplane attacked a "Do 217" (and/or a Wellington, both twin engined, long and slender), I think no Recce Ju 88 D-1 be responsible (it was no Zerstörer), and also attacking plane mis-indentifield. There are countless cases of such mis-indentification, in WW2 combat or reports of planes seen and attacked (both daylight and at night) but also remarkably accurate ones inbetween.
Second clue be that it turned on the Headlight (Turbinlite Havoc perhaps?)
And perhaps the Havoc crew (two or three?) realized its mistake and simply kept quiet on other engagements that night (assumong it did damage the Do 217 about 30%).
-Ed

[Chris Goss]

Sorry but I would discount the recce Ju 88. Why if you were off to Scotland would you fly so close to land further south Also, recces would have been better in daylight and not night. Finally, did the Wellington gunner see the Ju 88 hit the sea or, as with many such Combat Reports, did he see the "ac dive away engines smoking"?

[Arthur 'Digger' Arculus]

Thanks Ed and Chris for your replies which I cannot help but agree with you both.
Chris. The Wellington combat report states “...on its back and fell TO the sea....” Not fell ‘in to the sea...” you are correct on that point. Also the rear gunner being blinded by his own gun flashes is noted in the report.
Rod. The e/a turning the light on troubles me and knowing Havocs were around as well with their known target illumination gear aboard. Adds another question mark.
Remember though Two Ju88’s were ‘missing’ that night the recce one and another possibly on the Canterbury raid. Iam lost for clues now!
Cheers and thanks,
Digger.