Date: 23rd March 1941
Time: 12.30 p.m.
Unit: 4 Staffel/Kampfgeschwader 77
Type: Junkers Ju 88A-5
Werke/Nr. 7103
Code: 3Z + DM
Location: Parsons Farm, Poling, near Arundel, Sussex.
Start: Reims, France.
Pilot: Oberleutnant Werner Lode Unhurt
Observer: Oberfeldwebel Josef Billesfeld Broken leg
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Edwin Waraczynski Unhurt
Gunner : Unteroffizier Franz Wallner Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft started from Reims at about 10.00 hours to attack Aeroplane Factory near Sheffield with 4 x 250 kilo bombs.
From Reims the aircraft flew above the clouds on a north - westerly course to the English coast. From there they turned northwards, and flew by pin-pointing their course at 7,500 feet. Before reaching their objective they were intercepted and turned back. After about half an hour they were again engaged by two or three Spitfires, attacking from above and below. The starboard engine was hit and stopped. The pilot carried on, flying on only the port engine, but shortly afterwards this caught fire. As the aircraft was too low for the crew to bale out, a forced landing was made.
When coming into land the pilot saw a trip wire in front of him, and believing the uprights to be of wood did not bother much about it. One wing of the aircraft was broken off, and it crashed, killing the gunner and injuring the observer. The aircraft was badly damaged, with the front portion burnt out.
Oberleutnant Lode's Ju 88 burns out at Parsons Farm
Burial details:
Uffz Wallner lies in St.Wilfreds RC Cemetery Angmering, Sussex.
