Date: 26th August 1940
Time: 16.30 hours.
Unit: 4 Staffel/Kampfgeschwader 55
Type: Heinkel He 111P
Werke/Nr. 2124
Code: G1 + DM
Location: On beach, Bracklesham, East Wittering, Sussex. England.
Pilot: Leutnant Albert Metzger 67019/103 POW (slightly wounded)
Observer: Unteroffizier Rolf Schandner 67019/22 Killed
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Rudi Paas 67019/30 Killed
Flt/Engineer: Feldwebel Julius Urhahn 67019/37 Killed
Gunner: Flieger Rudolf Fessel 67019/102 Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft was shot down by Sgt B. E. P. Whall in a Spitfire from No.602 Squadron during attack on Portsmouth Harbour. Leutnant Metzger force landed on the beach at Bracklesham, East Wittering. The pilot escaped with his life while attempting to land, 500 bullet strikes were found to have hit the aircraft, many coming from the ground troops who succesfully stopped the surviving crew members from setting light to their aircraft.
Like a wounded whale, Lt Metzger's He 111 waits for the tide to turn, eventually the aircraft is wrecked by the sea.
Troops examine the bullet strikes in the cockpit area.
Burial details:
Those who lost their lives now lie in the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase.
