Date: 2nd March 1944
Unit: 2 Staffel/Kampfgeschwader 100
Time: 03.15 a.m
Type: Heinkel He 177A-3
Werke Nr. 332206
Code: 5J + KK (KK black outlined in white).
Location: Hammer Wood, near East Grinstead, Sussex. England.
Pilot: Leutnant Kurt Goetze 68578/92 Killed (Born 27.10.1922 in Berlin)
Observer: Unteroffizier Friedrich Emmerich 55537/151 Injured POW (Born 30.04.1921 in Bergen-Enkheim)
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Andreas Stuckenberg D65514/12 Killed (Born 27.03.1920 in Muenchen)
Flt/Engineer: Unteroffizier Heinz Pohl 68578/189 Injured POW (Born 26.10.1922 in Rostken)
Gunner: Unteroffizier Ferdinand Klari 68578/187 POW (Born 08.05.1922 in Erkenschwick)
Gunner: Obergefreiter Willi Fischer 55530/120 Seriously Injured (Born 10.04.1920 in Kiel)
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft was shot down by W/C G. H. Goodman and F/O W. F. E, Thomas in a Mosquito Mk XIII of No.151 Squadron. Their Mosquito was damaged when hit by flying debris from the exploding Heinkel. NOTE: Ogfr Willi Fischer lost both of his legs later in hospital from severe injuries sustained.
Obergefreiter Willi Fischer pictured here after his return home from Sweden. Willi had to have both legs amputated due to injuries sustained in the crash.(Fischer via Hall)
Extracted from A.I.1.(g) Report No.8/63
This aircraft was attacked by a night fighter, 20 mm strikes being seen in the rear portion of the fuselage, and crashed in Hammer Wood, near East Grinstead at 03.15 hours on the 2nd March. The aircraft broke up in the air and was widely scattered throughout the wood; both engines and most of the mainplane, however fell together and was badly burnt. Two unexploded bombs, believed to be 1,000 Kg were found buried in the wood, but Prisoners stated that four 1,000 Kgs bombs were carried.
Identification Markings.
6N + KK (KK black outlined in white).
One document and a P/W give the markings a 5J + KK
Call sign TI + FQ
Works No. 332206
Camouflage.
Under surfaces spray painted black, sides and upper surfaces spray painted a mottled grey-blue.
Engines.
DB 610 fitted with four bladed metal propellers. The engines are badly burnt and details are not yet available.
The wreck of Lt. Goetze's He 177 in Hammer Wood, East Grinstead. (via S. Parry)
Local police officers with the tail fin found in Hammer Wood. (via S. Parry)
Obergefreiter Willi Fischer survived the warObergefreiter.(Fischer via Hall)
BURIAL DETAIL
Both Kurt Goetze and Andreas Stuckenberg lie in the German Military Cemetery at Cannock Chase, Staffs.
