He 111 B3+BL of KG 54

[RudiS]

He 111 B3+BL of KG 54 crash-landed somewhere near Epinoy on may 19th 1940. I'm trying to identify the exact crash location. Many pictures excist of this event. In Luftwaffe on Focus N° 8 even coloured pictures can be found.

In these pictures a church and a water-tower can be seen. Pictures of these can be found in attachment.

The church steeple is very distinctive. It's placed asymmetrical, "outside" the church building, sort to speak.

Can anyone identify this church?

Kind regards,
Rudi.

[Peter Cornwell]

Rudi,

This is what I have at present, hope it helps:

3./KG54 Heinkel He111P-2. Shot down by Hurricanes during sortie east of Arras and belly-landed at Sauchy-Lestrée, south of Douai, 4.00 p.m. Possibly that claimed by P/O Wakeham of No. 145 Squadron. BF Gefr Konrad Sichtar killed, FF Lt Horst Fricke, BO Obergefr Heinz Pitz, and HS Flgr Alois Hofer all captured wounded – later released. Aircraft B3+BL 100% write-off.

If you are able to confirm or correct the exact location I would be pleased to hear from you.

[RudiS]

Peter,

thanks for your input. It's very much appreciated.

Attached are the following images of churches:
- Sauchy-Lestrée, the new church
- Sauchy-Lestrée, the old church
- the church of Sauchy-Cauchy, the "sister-village" of Sauchy-Lestrée.

None of these seem to match the church in the pictures of the crash-landed B3+BL. I've tried the churches of all the neighbouring villages but also came up empty-handed.

So if anyone recognises the church in the crash pictures, I would be very greatfull if he could give me the name of the village.

Kind regards,
Rudi.