JU 88A-5 Loss 27.9.40

[schnellmeyer]

On 27.9.40 a JU88 A-5 L1+DR (3197) of 7/LG1 was shot down over St.George's Channel by red section of No. 79 Squadron , the crew of four were all killed .
Can anybody please give me more information on this incident , thanks.

[Peter Cornwell]

7./LG1 Junkers Ju88A-5 (3197). Shot down over St Georges’s Channel by Red Section of No.79 Squadron (S/L J.H. Heyworth, P/O R.W. Clarke, and P/O G.H. Nelson-Edwards) during sortie to Warrington and crashed 50 miles north-west of St David’s Head 6.45p.m. BF Uffz Rudi Wächtler killed, FF Fw Josef Krings, BO Uffz Friedrich Wurm, and BS Oberfhr Heinz Vanselow all missing. Aircraft L1+DR 100% write-off.
The body of Rudi Wächtler was washed ashore at Clonellard, north of Courtown Harbour, County Wexford, on October 20 and buried in Clonattin Cemetery at Gorey.

[schnellmeyer]

Many thanks for your help Peter . This unit lost two JU88's around the same time on the mission to bomb Warrington , am I correct in saying this ?

[Peter Cornwell]

Yes, two losses and one returned damaged as follows:

7./LG1 Junkers Ju88A-5 (3183). Forced-landed at Châteaudun damaged in attack by Red Section of No.79 Squadron (S/L J.H. Heyworth, P/O R.W. Clarke, and P/O G.H. Nelson-Edwards) over St George’s Channel during sortie to Warrington 6.45 p.m Crew all unhurt. Aircraft 15% damaged but repairable.

7./LG1 Junkers Ju88A-5 (4153). Shot down over St George’s Channel by Red Section of No.79 Squadron (S/L J.H. Heyworth, P/O R.W. Clarke, and P/O G.H. Nelson-Edwards) during sortie to Warrington and crashed 50 miles north-west of St David’s Head 6.45p.m. FF Oberlt Richard Strasser and BS Uffz Willi Forster both missing, BF Fw Rudolf Söchtig and BO Gefr Wilhelm Lorenz both baled out but killed. Aircraft L1+BR 100% write-off.
The body of Wilhelm Lorenz was washed up at Ardcavan, County Wexford, on October 20, that of Rudolf Söchtig coming ashore at Ennerilly, Red Cross, County Wicklow, on November 18 and buried in Rathnew Cemetery.

[schnellmeyer]

Again many thanks for all your help Peter . It was a bad day at the office for 7./LG1 on this mission !

[Tony Kearns]

Hello Peter,
You have noticed, I am sure, that the three attacking Hurricanes Red section all identified the Ju88's as He III's. I have come across this a number of times.
An interesting point made in S/L Heyworth's combat report was the rescue organisation which he described as practically negligible should a pilot be force to bale out. This was to happen two days later when Nelson-Edwards had to do just that but was lucky to be picked up by a passing vessel.
He also referred to the lack of D/F Fixer in the sector. this explains a lot in my opinion.
Regards
Tony K