Heinkel 9/KG53 Loss 24/8/40

[Ivor D]

Heinkel A1+BT crewed by Flugzeugführer Oblt Gerhard Huhn,
Beobachter Fw Gottfried Ultsch
Bordfunker Fw Josef Schmid
Bordmechaniker Fw Walter Jagher,
Bordschütze Gefr Hans Zaunigk,
was brought down in Langford, Nr Maldon, Essex on 24/8/40. Living very close to the crash site I have always held a deep interest in the events of that day but cannot clarify some of the facts due to conflicting reports.

The following is taken from the entry in Volume 2 of Luftwaffe Crash Archive (Page 226)...
Started from Lille at 1500hrs. Flew at 1,300ft to bomb Hornchurch aerodrome, Essex, with a bomb load of twenty 50kg bombs. The aircraft reached its objective but dropped six bombs because it was attacked by Spitfires and shot through port engine which caught fire and the gunner baled out, the remainder of the crew being killed when the aircraft crashed and exploded.
Markings: B in yellow. Camouflage; green upper surface and blue underneath.
Engines: Jumo 211. The gunner had just transferred from 4./KG-76.

My questions are a result of an interview by a local historian of the sole survivor Zaunigk who stated that they never reached their target, they were still en route, never dropped any bombs and were attacked by Hurricanes. He added that he had never been a member of 4./KG-76, this was his first post and his first war flight.

I understand that he may be mistaken on the Spitfire/Hurricane issue but there is some suggestion that P/O John Ellacombe of 56 Squadron was involved.

Can anyone add to or help re these issues? Can anyone add details of the raid to fill out the events of the day please?

[gedburke3]

Hi Ivor,
John Ellacombe flew Hurricanes with 151 Squadron.
He did claim a He111 destroyed and another damaged on August 24th.
According to his combat report the He111 force landed in a field north of Shoeburyness.
He said the crew of 5 scrambled out and appeared unhurt.
Does that tie in with you location?
regards
Gerry

[Ivor D]

No, it's a long way south of our location. It just seems that a lot of accounts are at odds. What is not at odds is the fact that the aircraft exploded on the ground. So again, does not sound like that claim. Four of the crew died in the explosion, only Zaunigk escaped as he had bailed out over Heybridge just prior to the crash.

Thanks for the reply though.

[Brian Bines]

Ivor, there was a 1987 booklet called ' Heinkels over Heybridge' which dealt with this crash with photos of the crash site, and of Zaunigk plus a location map, F/O Blair of 151 Sqd. credited with shooting down A1+BT,

Regards
Brian Bines

[Chris Goss]

151 Sqn's locations are pretty vague this day with four west of North Weald, one SE, one near and one east of North Weald. Suggest a look at the combat reports at the NA will confirm one way or another

[Ivor D]

Thank you. I shall sort a day out for the trip. Grateful for the reply. Just for info the survivor, Zaunigk, passed away just two years ago. On to the NA it is then.

[Ivor D]

Originally Posted by Brian Bines

Ivor, there was a 1987 booklet called ' Heinkels over Heybridge' which dealt with this crash with photos of the crash site, and of Zaunigk plus a location map, F/O Blair of 151 Sqd. credited with shooting down A1+BT,

Regards
Brian Bines

Thank you Brian, I visited the author last week as he lives quite close. As you know he interviewed the survivor Zaunigk , hence my queries arising. Thanks for the info and reply.

[Chris Goss]

You do not need to visit the NA in person:


http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/h...rts-1939-1945/

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

To save you a search:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...ils/r/D7443345 - Hit preview an image of this record - see: Image 4 of 9. (if you can read the appalling scribble).

Col.

[Ivor D]

Thank you very much. Your correct about the handwriting. I am very grateful.