25 April 1944 - Ju 88 (from Lonnewitz) damaged buzzing at low-level Stalag IV-b

[Adriano Baumgartner]

I am finishing the wonderful book “Piece of Cake” by Geoff Taylor.

Somewhere on the middle of the book, he mentions that on the 25th April 1944, Anzac Day, a Junkers Ju 88 from Lonnewitz, buzzed at low level, Stalag IV-b, at Muhlberg-on-Elbe. Then this machine zoomed on the sky and went vertical and returned. But the German pilot misjudged his height and almost killed himself, trying to pull out. He stuck two Prisoners of War (one of them, a Canadian died immediately) and one was wounded (hit by the tail-wheel…apparently survived with a shattered leg), bended the tips of the propellers (one engine was completely damaged, the one who stuck the Canadian who died), bounced through a two double fence of barbed wire (and got barbed wire entangled on the machine) but managed to keep airborne and land safely, back at Lonnewitz. The Warrant-Officer (possibly an Uffz) pilot was put on gaol, lost his rank and was sent as a private to an Infantry Bataillon in Russia.

Is this case known? I mean, is there any record of the incident and the name of the pilot? For those who have the CORGI book, this story is between pages 162 and 164.

https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Cake-Ge.../dp/0552115398

[Strange]

Hello

Try this link: https://www.pegasusarchive.org/pow/frames.htm
Go to camps - stalag - Stalag IV B - Red Cross Report, 17th May 1944
Go to the "information" section. Here is the incident mentioned.

Rgds Strange

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Strange, my deepest gratitude for this precious bit of information.

Just sharing with others: https://www.pegasusarchive.org/pow/frames.htm

1. I regret to report the death of SGT. H.D. MALLORY, R.C.A.F., R.113624, PoW No.222739, and injuries inflicted to SGT. W.W. MASSIE, R.C.A.F., R.150556, PoW No.222744, caused by a low flying Ju 88 aircraft on April 30th, 1944. The aircraft was flying lower than the height of a tree, rose, hopped over it and then descended down over the football ground, killing Sgt H.D. Mallory and injuring Sgt. W.W. Massie. The Court Martial prosecution against the pilot is apparently still pending, Swiss Legation Berlin to enquire.

And more about the shot down of the Canadian who was killed here: https://www.rafcommands.com/database...php?qnum=28341

So the date was 30th April 1944, and not the 25th as informed by Geoff Taylor on his book.

[Strange]

Thanks.
Always nice to be able to contribute in this forum