Date: 14/15th March 1944
Time: 11.03 p.m.
Unit: 4 Staffel/Kampfgeschwader 2
Type: Junkers Ju 188E-1
Werke/Nr. 260238
Code: U5 + BM
Location: White House Farm, Great Leighs near Chelmsford, Essex
Pilot: Leutnant Horst Becker (21) 57 357/141 Killed (Born 24.04.1922 in Bluesenbach/Cologne.)
Observer: Unteroffizier Gerhard Bartolain (21) 69645/216 Killed (Born 18.04.1922 in Walter-Kehmen, Krs. Gumbinnen.)
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Albert Lange (23) 58214/192 Killed (Born 19.01.1921 in Hamm/Westf.)
Gunner 1: Unteroffizier Guenter Goecking (23) 58214/267 Killed (Born 01.09.1920 in Dortmund.)
Gunner 2: Oberfeldwebel Heinrich Litschke (28) 58213/190 Killed (Born 23.10.1916 in Recklinghausen.)
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft was shot down by S/L Edward. N. Bunting DFC and F/L C. P. Reed DFC in a Mosquito (MM 476) of No.488 Squadron.
Great Leigh's Ju 188 (U5 + BM) pictured shortly before the crash
Extract from Form (F) Personal Combat Report 488 (NZ) Squadron S/L Bunting.
One Mosquito XIII S/L E. N. Bunting DFC (Pilot) and F/Lt C. P. Reed DFC (Nav/R) was airborne Bradwell Bay 21.55 hours under North Weald control (Controller F/Lt Fox-Male). On going over to searchlights pilot gave Gauntlet and investigated an area of several beams, picking up a contact with the enemy aircraft dropping window (silver foil strips). S/L Bunting continues as follows:- I climbed from 16,000 feet to 20/21,000 on making contact which was at three miles range, 25 degrees above, 20 degrees off and estimated the enemy aircraft to be travelling at 160/170 mph. During the chase I was lit by searchlights many times, but closed in and obtained a visual at 300 yards of a Ju 188 doing mild evasive. I opened fire from 120 yards, dead astern with a two and a half second burst observing strikes on the starboard engine and a big fire started on the wing outboard of the starboard engine. The starboard engine began to burn and the enemy aircraft went down vertically to starboard. The fire went out temporarily but shortly afterwards there was a large flash from the ground.
I orbited and gave fix which control confirm as M.1735 and this is now known to be the position at which a Ju 188 has been found near Great Leigh's.
I claim a Ju 188 destroyed. Cannon: HE/SAPI. 25 rounds each. No stoppages. Landed base 2359.
The gunner, Oberfeldwebel Heinz Litschke of the ill-fated Ju 188 (U5 + BM) which crashed at Great Leighs, Essex
Three other unidentified crew members believed to be from the U5 + BM
Burial details:
This crew now rest in the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffs.
Horst Becker & Heinz Litschke 155-5-156
Guenter Goecking & Gerhard Bartolain 157-5-158
Albert Lange 153-5-154
