Date: 18th April 1941
Time: 2.00 a.m.
Unit: 2 Staffel / Kampfgeschwader 54
Type: Junkers Ju 88A-5
Werke/Nr. 6025
Code: B3 + GK
Location: Thorney Island airfield.
Pilot: Oberfeldwebel Heinrich Meier Killed (Born 10.11.1912 in Rolfshagen.)
Observer: Unteroffizier Werner Dietzel Killed (Born 27.05.1915 in Chemnitz.)
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Richard Rothenpieler Killed (Born 16.03.1915 in Rüppershausen.)
Gunner : Oberfeldwebel Georg Hocke Killed (Born 11.01.1915 in Niedervorschütz.)
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft was shot down by A.A. fire during an attack on Portsmouth. It dived into the ground with engines full on, blew up on impact and the remnants caught fire. The crew were still in the aircraft.
Heinrich Meier pictured here whilst serving in the Army (Meier via Kaufmann)
Heinrich in the Luftwaffe (Meier via Kaufmann)
R.A.F. burial party leave Thorney Island aerodrome en-route to St. Nicholas Churchyard.
Burial details:
This crew are all laid to rest in St. Nicholas Churchyard, West Thorney, Sussex.
