Date: 23rd May 1943
Time: 13.00 hours.
Unit: 15 Staffel/Schnellkampfgeschwader 10
Type: Focke Wulf Fw 190A-5
Werke/Nr. 50136
Coded: + H (White)
Location: 34 Grove Road, Eastcliffe, Bournemouth, Hants.
Pilot: Unteroffizier Friedrich Schmidt Fl.Ausb.Rgt.32.Nr.809 Killed (Born 19.01.1922 in Herne/Westf.)
REASON FOR LOSS:
From A.I.(k) Report No.237/1943
This aircraft, which crossed the coast at roof-top level, was shot down by a machine gun post on the roof of Eastcliffe Court, Bournemouth.
It crashed on a nearby house and was completely burned out, the pilot being killed. A 500 kg U.X.B., which was observed amongst the wreckage, exploded some 45 minutes later. The only documents recovered from the crash was a charred portion of a diary, which sufficed to give the undernoted details of the pilot's career and establish the identity of his unit.
1st-2nd Jan 1943 In Cambrai.
5th In Antwerp.
9th Laon.
16th Lt Mertens crashes near Rebbel - killed.
18th Force landing in Comines.
20th Lt Deziers body recovered.
22nd Another aircraft crashes. Pilot dead.
Gefreiter Siegel force lands unhurt.
23rd Short flight in Arado Ar 96.
25th Burial of ..............
26th A Feldwebel and a Unteroffizier crash. Both killed.
27th Flight.
1st-28th Feb 1943
Ten practice flights with the Me 109D & E also bombing and firing practice.
2nd March 1943
Firing practice. Landed safely in bad weather with the Me 109D. Got down safely.
5th Braun crashes in Me 109E at take-off.
6th Bombing practice.
13th Go on leave.
3rd April 1943
Leave ends.
5th Leave Berlin 2245 hours Anhaelter.
6th Arrive Paris East at 2045 hours. Leave Paris/Austerlitz 2300 hours.
7th Arrive Bordeaux 0700 hours. Arrive Cognac 1900 hours.
13th First flight out to sea.
17th Hauptmann Kellenberger in the drink. One wheel and a cushion recovered.
20th New Schwarm leaders arrive, including Oberfeldwebel Peterbusch. 15 victories, holder of the Ritterkreuz (Knights Cross).
23rd Touching down, left tyre bursts - 15% damage.
24th Saeckl buried.
27th Daily practice flights.
28th Bernd crashes, 85% damage. Uninjured.
30th Hauptmann Kellenberger washed up.
3rd May 1943
Go to Royan - Hauptmann Kellenberger buried.
4th Escort "Sperrbrecher 5" from Royan to La Rochelle. Explode three mines. Brought out an Italian U-boat.
7th Leave Cognac.
8th Posted to Caen.
10th Arrived Caen - 15th Staffel.
11th Flight with Staffelkapitaen.
12th Flight.
14th Put a Fw 190 on its nose.
15th Battle HQ. Inauguration ceremony. Tommy makes his first attack.
17th Pamphlets - (Apparently an R.A.F. nickel raid in the vicinity).
18th The Castle is officially opened.
19th Bernd force-lands on the airfield. No damage.
22nd Tommy delivers a night attack.
Canadian Servicemen doing their bit to clear the wreckage of Uffz Schmidt's machine (Photo R Coles)
Burial detail:
Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffs. Block 6. Grave 233.
