Date: 6th October 1940
Time: 0.55 a.m.
Unit: 4 Staffel / Kampfgeschwader 30
Type: Junkers Ju 88A-5
Werke/Nr. 8045
Code: 4D + HM
Location: Near Netherstead Farm, Colmworth, Bedfordshire, England.
Pilot: Feldwebel Georg Koschella Mob.Hptl.Nr.62748/26 Killed
Observer: Oberfeldwebel Gerhard Wilkening Mob.Hptl.Nr.I.KG30 Nr.48 Killed
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Alexander Bednarek Mob.Hptl.Nr.62748/22 Killed
Gunner : Unteroffizier Heinz Thal Mob.Hptl.Nr.62748/39 Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
The exact cause of this loss is unknown but eye witnesses state that the aircraft was on fire in the air before it dived steeply into the ground.
This crash site has been excavated twice, on the last attempt in September 1986 some interesting small finds were found by Brian Saddler and his team. Relics included Parachute D ring & clips, oil bottle from gunners tool kit, eye piece from bomb sight and various makers labels.
During my research into this loss I made contact with Mr John Hughes of Colmworth who witnessed the crash of the Junkers 88. He still remembers vividly the events of that night and the aftermath the following day. John has kindly given us permission to publish his account on the ARS website.
Personal account of Mr John Hughes, Colmworth, Bedfordshire.
John Hughes pictured near the crash site October 2008 (Brownless)
If I recall correctly it was about 8.30pm and I was in bed at Three Horse Shoes Farm, Colmworth when I heard an awful screeching sound which made me jump out of bed and rush to the window. The sight I saw was a plane falling out of the sky! A mass of flames and sparks and the dreadful sound as it spiralled down to crash at the old Netherstead Farm on the eastern edge of Colmworth, which does not exist anymore.
It was obvious the screeching sound was the engines of an aeroplane on full power and out of control. This was a Junkers 88, a twin engined light bomber of the Luftwaffe which had been shot down by our fighter planes. The next morning my friend and I went down Honeydon Road and across the fields to where the plane had crashed. The site was roped off and a couple of RAF personnel were on guard, but as we neared the site we could smell the acrid smoke of burnt flesh and parts of the plane that was still smouldering.
Also there were small parts of debris lying outside the roped area and something I shall never forget, a partly gloved hand - someone's son or brother.
The plane was normally crewed by three or four airmen, depending on the armaments carried and to my knowledge there were no survivors.
The RAF A.I.(k) report gives little detail regarding the loss of the aircraft or the crew members. (PRO Kew)
These few fragments were found at the crash site lying on the surface after ploughing during October 2008
The collective grave of the crew at Cannock Chase, Staffs. (via Croft)
Burial details:
This crew are laid to rest in a collective grave at the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire. Block 9. Row 2. Grave 6.
Feldwebel Georg Koschella Mob.Hptl.Nr.62748/26
Born 13.11.1915 in Glasen.
Oberfeldwebel Gerhard Wilkening Mob.Hptl.Nr.I.KG30 Nr.48
Born 17.07.1913 in Neustadt.
Unteroffizier Alexander Bednarek Mob.Hptl.Nr.62748/22Born 04.10.1916 in Bernburg.
Born 04.10.1916 in Bernburg.
Unteroffizier Heinz Thal Mob.Hptl.Nr.62748/39Born 13.07.1911.
Born 13.07.1911.
Researched & compiled by Melvin Brownless (ARS) October 2008
