Identity of He177 or Ju88 destroyed 24/2/44?

[Danny Hill]

Hello there,

I was wondering if anyone might know the identity of a He177 or Ju88 / 188 claimed as probably destroyed around 23.20 hrs on the night of 24/2/44 around Tunbridge Wells area by a British nightfighter of 96 sqn.

It is possible that this aircraft was a He177 (radar op identified it as such, after claiming he had a good plan view as they broke away, and stated that the nose was too long for Ju88, and had squarish wing-tips) but pilot was convinced it was a Ju88 or 188.

Pilot claims after his attacks, where he saw "many strikes on centre section and cockpit, followed by a reddish glow" he saw the aircraft going down steeply, held by the searchlights with smoke from both engines, then shortly afterwards saw an aircraft with an engine on fire crash into the ground.

He adds a note where he states: "Both ranges at which combat took place were estimated in relationship between wingspan and ring of reflector sight for an aircraft of 65ft (Ju88).However, operator states that when I opened fire, range according to A.I. was 1000ft. This would indicate a wingspan of almost double that of a Ju88, and points to He177."

To confuse the matter further, the pilot finally claims a Ju88 probable, the radar op claims a He177 probable!

Information on either damaged or missing Ju88's, 188's or He177's from this night would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Danny