Date. 19th April 1941
Time. 10.30 p.m.
Unit: 1 Staffel./Kampfgeschwader 76
Type. Junkers Ju 88A-5
Werke Nr. 5151
Coded. F1 + GH
Location. Slaughter Bridge, Slinfold, Sussex.
Pilot: Oberfeldwebel. Heinz Burkart 71034/114 Killed (Born 06.02.1915 in Berlin.)
Observer: Obergefreiter. Rudolf Scheithauer 71034/117 Killed (Born 24.10.1918 in Flöha.)
Radio/Op: Obergefreiter. Bruno Kalmus 71034/118 Killed (03.01.1914 in Goldap.)
Gunner: Oberfeldwebel. Wolfgang Haselsteiner 71034/107 Killed (Born 25.11.1912 in Haibühl.)
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft was shot down by Brooklands AA guns.
A.I.2(g) Report No. 191/1
Confirmation of enemy aircraft brought down.
Ju 88A-1. Crashed on 19.04.41 at 22.30 hours at Slaughter Bridge, Slinfold, Sussex. Map ref: Q.573528.
No identification markings visible. No numbers or dates available beyond one component label marked Siebel F/W. Halle. Both engines buried.
Aircraft is thought to have crashed following fighter action as eye witness heard MG fire.
The aircraft hit the ground at high speed apparently with both engines on. Fire and explosion followed and the wreckage became disintegrated. Pieces of three MG 15 machine guns have been recovered.
One normal 250 kg rack found. Two small pieces of armour plate one being the curved piece for the pilots head 10 mm thick. Crew: Apparently four, all killed in the crash. No further information ascertainable from site inspection.
Extract from A.I.(k) Report No. 169/1941
This aircraft was heard overhead, and was later seen diving steeply enveloped in flames. The crew were inside and on impact there was a large explosion, and they were blown to pieces. It is reported locally that the crash was due to fighter action. Both incendiary and H.E. bombs were dropped in the neighbourhood shortly before the aircraft crashed. A number of documents have been recovered. As soon as a full examination of these has been made a further report will be issued.
NOTE: Major recovery by the Wealden Aviation Archaeological Group produced a dinghy, propellers and other parts.
Pilot of the ill-fated Ju 88, Oberfeldwebel Heinz Burkart. (Haselsteiner via Kaufmann)
Gunner, Oberfeldwebel Wolfgang Haselsteiner. (Haselsteiner via Kaufmann)
Family death notice for Wolfgang Haselsteiner.
The four crew members lie together at Cannock Chase; Block 9. Row 10. Grave 63.
Researched by Melvin Brownless & Rudiger Kaufmann, March 2009
