Date: 3rd August 1942
Time: 6.15 p.m.
Unit: 7 Staffel/Kampfgeschwader 2
Type: Dornier Do 217 E-2
Werke/Nr. 1225
Code: U5 + AD
Base: Soesterberg, Holland.
Location: Round House Farm, near Cranford, Northamptonshire.
Pilot: Unteroffizier Eugen Beyerer Killed Born 26.12.1917
Observer: Gefreiter Hans Frisch Killed Born 30.08.1920
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Maximilian Zerak Killed Born 25.03.1920
Gunner: Unteroffizier Erich Huwald Killed Born 24.01.1918
REASON FOR LOSS
This aircraft was shot down by F/O Lindsay Black (Blue 2) in a Spitfire Vb of No.485 (NZ) Squadron during combat over Wellingborough, Northamptonshire at Round House Farm, Cranford 18.15 hours.
Extract from No.485 Squadron ORB (Air27/1933) held at the PRO, Kew, London.
Kingscliffe. 03.08.42 17.30 hours. Interception. Blue section (1 P/O Maskill, 2 F/O Black). took off from Docking at 17.30 hours, flew to Wittering and orbited. After various vectors and indications of bandits position, and after seeing bomb bursts on Wellingborough, F/O Black saw an enemy aircraft at 18.12 hours. Getting into position behind and to starboard. He gave a six second burst with cannon and MG, with one third deflection from about 400 yards as enemy aircraft was climbing into cloud, where he disappeared. F/O Black followed into cloud, and soon saw bandit.
Getting into position above and behind, he gave two short bursts with MG from 100 yards, experiencing return fire from dorsal and under guns which however caused no damage. F/O Black turned away and saw enemy aircraft start to dive. When F/O. Black came out of cloud he saw enemy aircraft blazing on the ground. Cloud 10/10, base 500, visibility poor. Position of combat. Wellingborough/Kettering district. Blue section landed at Wittering at 18.25 hours.
Death notice for the pilot, Eugen Beyerer (via Beyerer)
Translation of death notice:
“It is decided in Gods council you have to part from the beloved. For devotional Memory in a prayer for our beloved son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and beloved fiance Eugen Beyerer Unteroffizier bei der Lufwaffe born on 26th of december 1917 in Ostringen / near Heidelberg. Killed in action on 3rd of August in Mid-England.
We beg you, o Lord, allow your servant Eugen’s soul, who agonised a heroes death for his Fatherland, to live in the land of everlasting peace and light and donate to him the communion of your saints. Amen.”
Local newspaper reporting the burial of the four crew members
One of the 500 kg bombs defused by the EOD
Some surviving small relics found at the crash site.
The four crew share the same grave at Cannock Chase
Burial details:
This crew were originally laid to rest in the Cranford Parish Churchyard but were re-interred at the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase,
joint grave; Block 9. Row 6. Grave 35.
