He 111 crash at Ham-Noyon Area, France

[RudiS]

Hi everybody,

I'm looking for more information about a He 111 that crashlanded in or around Ham in France on the 15th of June 1940.

Thanks in advance,
Rudi.

[Chris Goss]

According to Peter Cornwell's book, the only losses of He 111s were at Jussey (2) and between Mornay & Champlitte.

[RudiS]

Thanks for your reply, Chris.

Both places you mentioned are way off, so I presume the date on the picture is wrong.

I'll try to contact a historical society in the area to get the correct date.

Kind regards,
Rudi.

[pilot2]

Hello

No He 111 in Noyon area or in the whole "Département de l'Oise" at this time.

Regards

[RudiS]

Thanks Pilot2.

Could you also check the Somme Département? That's where Ham is located in.

Kind Regards,
Rudi.

[pilot2]

Hello

I don't know if there is a link with this one but it's a picture taken in Ham

http://www.hiboox.com/lang-fr/image....g=66scapk8.jpg



Regards

[RudiS]

At first glance I would say it's the same aircraft. But I'm in the office right now. I'll post my pictures here too as soon I get home.

Nice find by the way. What searchstring did you use in Google to find this one?

Regards,
Rudi.

[Larry Hickey]

bugger,

I recently acquired a different photo of this on eBay, but do not yet have it in hand. The clue to its identity is probably going to be the a/c code, which I haven't been able to yet read--only the Yellow "E." Am most interested in getting this aircraft identified as well. Where does your date come from? A handwritten note on the back of a photo? If so, this aircraft could have come down much earlier than that date as it is obviously undergoing salvage.

Regards,

[RudiS]

Here are the pictures I have. (One is a bit blurry). They are taken from a completely different angle then the one Pilot2 found. I think nevertheless that it's the same aircraft. Unfortunately no identification visible.

The lamppost and the electricity pole at the back of the aircraft seem to be the same (but on my pictures there seems to be roadsigns attached to the post) and the three to the left hand side of the aircraft (from the cockpit's point of view) also appears on my first picture.

The name of the pub in the back is "Goutte d'Or", which can be translated as "golden drop (of liquor)".

The first picture has "15.06.1940 - German reconnaissance plane in Ham" stamped at the back in purple ink.

The second has "Shot down He 111 in the Noyon area" written in pencil on the back.

I've sent out two e-mails to local societies (one that collects old postcards, the other a club of militaria collectors) asking assistance in determining the date and place. No reply yet.

Regards,
Rudi.

[RudiS]

Looking at all of the pictures, I think that :

- the plane crashed in the direct vicinity, but didn't end at this spot by itself (lamppost & electricity pole should have been broken).

- the picture that Pilot2 found is older. It still shows a lot of debry on the road. My 2 pictures don't. Also road signs, that were probably knocked over by the plane, have been put back on the electricity pole.

- the houses in the area show all some or more extend of damage. Some of it may however been caused by the German army when they invaded that area.

Regards,
Rudi.