Fact or Fiction? 13/8/40

[BrianC]

Hi guys

The following is from a newspaper clipping dated 14 August 1940 and apparently refers to 13 August. Can anyone confirm or otherwise add details. I've discussed this with Chris, who suggests it may have been journalistic propaganda rather than factual. Any ideas?

The pilot of a bomber, which was badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire, tried to land in a field. A young bombardier rushed out from a hedge with a Lewis gun and peppered the bomber. A British fighter signalled the bombardier to cease fire, but he kept on firing. Three bodies were later taken from the plane. One is believed to be that of a German count, aged 24.



Cheers
Brian

[RSwank]

The story seems to have first appeared in many newspapers (world wide) on August 13 and seems to refer to events which occurred on August 12. The wording varies slightly but the key "facts" are the same. A German plane makes a "lop-sided" crash landing and is "peppered" by a bombardier on the ground manning a Lewis gun. A 24 year old "Count" is killed in the plane. A "squadron" of RAF fighters tried to signal the Lewis gunner to "get out of the way", but he persisted.

[Charles Bavarois]

In Luftwaffe's casualty reports for August 12, 1940, there is no loss of a "Count" (German: "Graf") or any other obviously aristocratic person. Not even a "von" in the name. But: on this day a Ju 88 of the 3rd /KG 51 with the crew of observer Oblt. Hans GRAF was lost during the attack on Worthing. Four men were initially considered MIA. Later, one was re-registered as a POW and three as KIA, including Graf. Interestingly, Hans Graf was 24 years old on the day of his death. Could he be the ominous "Count".

[Chris Goss]

Oblt Hans Graf of 3./KG 51 was 23 when killed but would have been 24 following month (born 2 Sep 16). Having lived where his Ju 88 came down, the Ju 88 skidded across a number of fields disintegrating as it did and ending upside down. Having researched it, nobody machine gunned the 3 crew as they got out as they were dead already. However, a Lewis gunner from a searchlight battery is said to has opened fire as it came over/went past but he was not responsible for shooting it down. Might I suggest that this is the crash in question and that the journalist who wrote it up took liberties-never let the truth get in the way of a good story!

[Charles Bavarois]

Chris,
thank you for your clarification. It is obviously Graf's crash landing after all.

[RSwank]

Hans Graf Grave:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79159834/hans-graf


Two other Luftwaffe airmen who died the same day and are in the same cemetery as Graf. They were members of his crew per post 11 below.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...walter-floeter

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...BCnther-czepik

[BrianC]

Hi guys

Rolland, Charles and Chris. Thanks guys, what a team!

The survivor, who had baled out and was captured, was Gfr Günther Fleischmann. Do we have his account anywhere?

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

Attempts to contact Fleischmann many years ago came to nothing so no account. Early days for K Reports so nothing at all of substance

[FrankieS]

hi all,

Just to add some more info (though I think Chris knows better ...)

BArch RL 2-III/1174:

On 15.08.1940 on page 68 there is an addendum for 12.08.1940:
63.) 12.8. III./Z. G. 76 Feindflug Unbekannt Unbekannt Bf 110 C2 100% Bf 110 C2 100% 1 dead (Hptm. Graf Hoyer St. Kap) - 1 missing


bye
FrankieS

[Chris Goss]

Indeed but he came down in the sea and is missing. Furthermore crew of two only so definitely not connected