Identity of Wellington shot down on Borkum Island?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

A couple of photos of a Wellington shot down on Borkum Island plus photos of the funeral of the Wellington crew on Borkum were recently sold on Ebay. I have trouble identifying this Wimpey and the crew, who can help?

Cheers, Theo

[BigWeeker]

Hello, Theo
Interesting. To me, the photo of the burial suggests it was after an early fighter v bomber action. During the Battle of Heligoland Bight, 18 December 1939, many Wellingtons were shot down. One of those was N2936 which crash landed on the island of Borkum. Two of the crew were killed. Other aircraft also crashed into the sea, but only a very few bodies were recovered. Could that explain why three bodies were buried, as part of a joint burial service.. Just a thought.
This info is from Chorley’s BCL, 1939/40
Atb
Andy

[Theo Boiten]

Hello Andy -thanks for sharing these interesting thoughts re the photos of the Wimpey on Borkum. On one of the photos one can clearly see that this Wellington had twin machine guns in the nose turret (see blow up from the original photo); did the 37 Squadron Wellingtons in December 1939 have twin machine guns in their nose turrets?

Cheers, Theo

[SteveR]

Theo,

Yes, all of 37 Squadron's Wellingtons on the 18 December 1939 mission were Mark IAs, with twin .303s in the Frazer Nash turret in the nose.

[BigWeeker]

Well done SteveR - beat me to it!!
Andy

[Theo Boiten]

Excellent -thanks for that!

The only possible other candidate is the following:

6-7 June 1942

Oblt. Rudolf Schoenert: 17 4./NJG2 (det. 4./NJG3) Wellington Borkum (Jaguar): 4.900 m. 02.27 301 Sqn Wellington R1390

I believe though that R1390 crashed in the sea near Borkum, perhaps others can confirm this. (One of the Polish crew survived, F/Lt. M. Kowalowka; is there a survivors account by this man?).

Cheers, Theo

[Alain57]

Hello ,
Kowalówka Mieczysław
P-1603 / 783501
19.09.1917
Osielec Sucha Besk. Poland
Leicester, U.K
Stalag Luft 3/551

Greets
Alain57

[BigWeeker]

Looking at those thumbnail photos, it appears that all the wreckage was contained on land rather than having been dragged from the sea to a beach-site.....
Andy

[Horst Weber]

Originally Posted by BigWeeker

Hello, Theo
Interesting. To me, the photo of the burial suggests it was after an early fighter v bomber action. During the Battle of Heligoland Bight, 18 December 1939, many Wellingtons were shot down. One of those was N2936 which crash landed on the island of Borkum. Two of the crew were killed. Other aircraft also crashed into the sea, but only a very few bodies were recovered. Could that explain why three bodies were buried, as part of a joint burial service.. Just a thought.
This info is from Chorley’s BCL, 1939/40
Atb
Andy

Good evening Andy !

Your thoughts are right. Sgt. T. W. Holley and Cpl. F. J. Taylor (Wellington N2936) were initially buried at the Lutheran cemetary of Borkum at row 1, graves # 317 and 318.

A third victim of that day, Sgt. A. J. Tilley (Wellington N2935) was buried at the same cemetary at row 1, grave # 320.

So it must be strongly assumed, that these three airmen's funeral is seen on the photo and the crash-landed wellinton is N2936.

Best wishes !

Horst Weber

[Chris Goss]

So this chap could be one of the survivors-Ruse, May or Jones?