Bf110 of 3/ZG2 lost on 10 Jul 1940

[Black6]

I am interested in what may have been a Bf110 crash on 10 Jul 1940, the aircraft was mentioned in a post from many years back :

[quote]10.07.40_____3./ZG2___Uffz. Brannath and radio operator KIA (routine flight)[quote]

I believe that this was a non-operational test flight and am keen to know the identity of the aircraft and circumstances of the crash which was by the road near Bitsch/Holbach, 20 km south of Pirmasens, if anybody can help please. The aircraft burned. I think the Bf110 may have been Wk Nr 2136 ?

The crew were Uffz (FF) Max Brannath (55566/10), born 6 Jun 1914 at Karlsruhe-Grunwinckel and a Wart, Gefr Hans Geidenberger born 8 Apr 1919
at Bremen, both were killed.

thank you Peter

[John Manrho]

Unfreiwillige Bodenberührung infolge Schlechtwetter.

J.

[Black6]

Thank you John, can you advise on the Wk Nr

[John Manrho]

Nope

[Peter Cook]

This is what I have from the various published sources, but no Werk number:

Mason - 1969 - Battle Over Britain - p. 122
I./ZG 2 - Messerschmitt Bf 110C - Non-Combat Mission - Bad weather flying accident near Bitsch. 100% damage. Two crew members killed.

Ramsey/Cornwell - 1980 - BoB Then and Now - p. 538
3/ZG2 - Messerschmitt Bf 110C - Crashed due to undercarriage failure during forced-landing near Eltsch in deteriorating weather conditions on routine domestic flight. Uffz. Brannath and one NCO killed. Aircraft a write-off.

Vasco/Cornwell - 1995 - Zerstörer - p. 94
3./ZG 2 - Bf 110 C - 100% damage - Uffz. Max Brannath, Pilot, killed; Gefr. Hans Geidenberger, Bf, killed - Crashed due to undercarriage failure during ferry flight from Boblingen in bad weather. Near Eltsch, 20 Km. SW of Pirmasens.

Cull - 2017 – Battle for the Channel - p. 44
Main text - ...a Bf 110 of 3./ZG 2 crashed in bad weather, killing both Uffz Max Brannah and his gunner Gfr Hans Geidenberger

Balss - 2018 - Luftwaffe Losses & Claims - Vol. 3 p. 140
3./ZG 2 - Non-OP - Frankreich
Take off Neufchateau - Near Bitche - Involuntary ground contact in poor weather conditions
Bf 110 C - 100% damage
P Uffz. Max Brannath KIA, W1 Gefr. Hans Geidenberger KIA

Peter

[Black6]

Thanks Peter and John, interested to see Geidenberger listed as Radio/Gunner, I believe he was groundcrew.

[John Vasco]

This is what I have:
3./ZG2 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Crashed during transfer flight from Böblingen to Toussus-le-Noble while attempting forced-landing near Bitsch, 20 km south-west of Pirmasens, in deteriorating weather conditions 2.00 p.m. FF Uffz Max Brannath and Gefr Hans Geidenberger (1.Wart) both killed.

[Black6]

Thanks John, I thought he was a Wart.