Date: 4th February 1944
Time: 05.40 hours
Unit: 6 Staffel/Kampfgeschwader 2
Type: Junkers Ju 188E-1
Werke/Nr. 260216
Code: U5 + KP
Location: Maplin Sands, Shoeburyness, Essex, England.
Pilot: Unteroffizier Franz Flamme 57357/229 Missing (Born 16.08.1918 in Oberelspe.)
Observer: Obergefreiter Werner Zwintschert 58215/198 Killed (Born 09.10.1919 in Berlin.)
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Wolfgang Niemeyer 57357/424 Missing (Born 15.05.1920 in Hannover.)
Gunner : Obergefreiter Willi Piller 57357/238 Missing (Born 16.06.1921 in Steinschoenau.)
Gunner: Obergefreiter Johann Malecha 58215/210 Missing (Born 22.05.1920 in Richterstal.)
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft was shot down by A.A. fire from sites near Clacton and crashed and disintegrated on Maplin Sands.
Police records at the time state the following; German aircraft, make not known crashed half a mile SE of Eastwick Head MR 457098 and disintegrated. Parts of bodies recovered with German Air Force uniform. Number of crew not known.
A.I.(g) Report No. 8/22 Ju 188.
In the early hours of 4th February 1944, the remains of an aircraft were seen on Maplin Sands, Foulness Island. These were found to be portions of a Ju 188. It is believed that the aircraft had been shot down by A.A. fire on the 28th January 1944. The machine had dived steeply into the sand and disintegrated, and it was only just visible at low water.
The only evidence of identity found at the time was an identification disc bearing the number 58215/198 and this was assumed to have been from an aircraft shot down on the night of 28/29th January. Research by Brian Bines shows that this disc belonged to Obergefreiter Werner Zwintschert, lost during the early hours of the 4th February 1944.
Sources: A.I.(g), WASt and Blitz (Then & Now) Vol.3
Unteroffizier Franz Flamme missing in action
Burial details:
Werner Zwintschert - unknown.
