Bucker Bu131 loss of 1.(F)/123.

[cheesey]

Hello all.

On the 5th November,1940 a Bu131 (WNr.4494) belonging to 1.(F)/123 crashed on the island of Jersey.Cause unknown! The pilot, Oblt.Werner Franken, attempted to bail out but his chute failed to open and he fell to his death. The incident happened on the NW corner of the island at a place called Rozel. Local witnesses stated at the time that the pilot appeared to leave the a/c for no apparent reason!

I have some questions about this incident!

Has anyone any additional information on, or photos of the pilot?

There are some local sources that suggest there may have been two crew onboard, one of which fell into the sea! Could this be true?

Also, why were 1.(F)/123 in possession of a Bucker 131? Was it a squadron hack, a training a/c or did it fulfill some other role?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.......Steve.

[Melvin Brownless]

Hello Steve,

Oblt Werner Vrancken born 24.02.1917 at Altona near Hamburg was on a courier flight for the Staffel when the incident occurred, he was the only fatality. He was buried on the 07.11.40 at the Soldatenfriedhof Versailles - Les Gonards. Row F. Grave 9. I have attached a photo of Oblt Vrancken (correct spelling) and I have two of the burial, if you give me your e-mail address I will send them, too large to post here! If you plan to use these photographs please credit "Aircrew Remembrance Society" it would be appreciated. Hope this helps you.

Kind regards

Melvin

[cheesey]

Superb Melvin, thanks a million. I have sent my e-mail address via pm.

[RossGmann]

For your information

The following Website http://www.hotlinecy.com/KCPix/LuftwaffeRecipients.pdf shows a Werner Franken as a Recipient of the Knight’s Cross on 24/03/1942

A person with the same name also gets a mention in the following http://www.militariacollecting.com/i...ode=linearplus site

Kind regards

Ross