Date: 14/15th March 1944 (Tuesday/Wednesday)
Time: 22.25 hours.
Unit: 7 Staffel/Kampfgeschwader 2
Type: Dornier Do 217 M-1
Werke/Nr. 6335
Code: U5 + MR
Location: Near R.A.F. Friston, Eastbourne, Sussex
Pilot: Unteroffizier Herbert Ballwieser 57359/585 Killed
Born 12.09.1921 in Nuremberg
Observer: Oberfeldwebel Werner Hofmann 57359/630 Killed
Born 29.09.1916 in Schoeneck (Sachsen)
Radio/Op: Gefreiter Albert Rasch 57359/611 Killed
Born 15.11.1923 in Hallstadt (Bamberg)
Gunner: Unteroffizier Helmut Lenz 57359/407 Killed
Born 28.09.1920 in Netzbruch
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft was shot down by AA fire from the guns of 71 A.A Brigade with 26 rounds of 3.7in H.E. (High Explosive)
RAF Intelligence A.I.1(k) reported: The local A.A. states that they engaged this aircraft at a height of about 23,000 feet at 22.25 hrs. following this engagement, the aircraft caught fire, it dived into the ground at high speed. The wreckage was buried in a deep crater and burned for many hours - consequently few documents of value were recovered. The aircraft was presumably on its way to the target since the remains of a A.B.B. 500 was found.
L to R: Albert Rasch, Herbert Ballwieser, Werner Hofmann and Helmut Lenz
Crash site near R.A.F. Friston
Crash site today (A.R. Society archives)
Left: Death notice Albert Rasch and right: Crew originally buried Friston (St.Mary) Churchyard
Burial details:
This crew are laid to rest in the same grave at the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffs. Block 9. Row 10. Grave 62
Researched by Melvin Brownless (A.R. Society)
