Technical Report on Hptm Rolf Pingel's Bf 109 F

[Chris Goss]

Has anyone seen the initial (not RAE) report on the crash of the above which might have indicated why he had to force land? The K Report does not

[Chris Goss]

I now have the RAE series of technical evaluations of this ac. Nothing points to the reason for its demise but hints about coolant system vulnerability

[Snautzer]

This aircraft was shot down by Spitfires whilst attacking a number of Short Stirling bombers returning from a mission.
The attack by the Spitfires rendered his engine damaged, with both oil and water tempertures rising at an alarming rate it was impossible for him to return across the Channel. The only alternativewould be to try and reach the English coast.
On reaching Dover he succeded in making a landing in a cornfield near to St. Margarets Bay. Rolf climbed out and was about to set fire to the aircraft, when a detachment of the local Home Guard arrived on the scene and took him prisoner.
His Messerschmitt Bf 109F was the first example to be captured intact. It was repaired and evaluated by the RAF with its new serial number ES906. The aircraft was eventually 100% destroyed on the 20th October 1941 killing its Polish pilot F/O J. Skalski.

from http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety...41/pingel.html which also holds images of the aircraft and the pilot.

[Chris Goss]

Snautzer

I am aware of this and have loads of images both of the plane and pilot. There was only one claim (by 306 Sqn) which was disallowed as apparently there was no damage by gunfire. One of the gunners from Fg Off Rolfe's Stirling apparently claimed to have damaged the Bf 109 attacking them (there were only 2 Stirlings, one having been shot down by Flak on the way in). The RAE and K Reports makes no mention of what happened which is why I am asking about the G report.

That link no longer works by the way

Chris

[Charles Bavarois]

Hello Chris,

there is a two-page A.I. 1(g) report #96 dated 11th July 1941.

General condition and cause of crash were reported like
"It is reported that this aircraft was in action with fighters, but no bullet strikes have yet been found in the airframe or the engine. The pilot made a good belly landing and the machine is in good condition. It is possible that there was engine failure."

HTH
Carl

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Carl