Ju 88 / Ju 87 loss on 11/12 February 1941

[Andy Saunders]

At 14.00 hrs on 12 Feb 1941 HM Drifter Eager brought down what they identified as a Ju 88 by Lewis gun, Holman Projector and rifle fire off Brightlingsea. Whilst recovering the wreckage they were attacked by a second Ju 88 at 14.05. During the attacks Lance Cpl E Bowles (shown as "12th Command") was seriously wounded.

Can anybody identify the loss?

Also, according to the loss listings in Blitz Then & Now HMS Eager (in fact, HMD Eager) shot down a Ju 87 of 5./St.G 1 off Brightlingsea at 04.00.

Surely the captain of Eager did not get both his aircraft identification and timings wrong?

[Chris Goss]

There are no Ju 88 losses that match but Ju 87 B-2, 0528, J9+DL of 5/StG 1 (Fw Kurt (Richard?) Von Cramm/Uffz Paul Trager were lost attacking Chatham. There are examples of Stukas carrying out occasional nocturnal sories during the Blitz but perhaps 0400/1400 hrs have got mixed up?

[Andy Saunders]

Thank you Chris.

Yes, I am now inclined to the view that the report from Eager must have simply muddled up the times; 14.00 instead of 04.00. In the darkness they must also have thought their attackers were Ju 88s. I think it is the only explanation.