Date: 14th March 1944
Time: 11.15 p.m.
Unit: 6 Staffel/Kampfgeschwader 6
Type: Junkers Ju 88A-14
Werke/Nr. 550509
Code: Unknown
Location: Woodford Avenue, Gants Hill, near Ilford, Essex.
Pilot: Leutnant Paul Kohn 193/73172 Killed (Born 18.06.1923 in Bildstock/Saar.)
Observer: Unteroffizier Claus Prodehl 184/73172 Killed (Born 31.12.1921 in Berlin/Staaken.)
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Hans Eger 190/73172 Injured/POW (Born 24.06.1922 in Dresden.)
Gunner : Unteroffizier Gerhard Donzyk 212/73172 Killed (Born 30.09.1921 in Baruth.)
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft was shot down by W/Cdr. D. Hayley - Bell DFC and F/O H. W. Uezzell in a Beaufighter Mk VI of No.68 Squadron. Crashed into empty buildings at Woodford Avenue. Uffz Prodehl baled out but seriously injured and died the following day from wounds sustained. Uffz. Eger baled out and captured injured. Lt. Kohn and Uffz. Donzyk were killed in the crash. Aircraft totally destroyed.
The original burial of the three crew members at Becontree Cemetery, March 25th 1944
The crash at Gants Hill (Courtesy of Simon Parry)
Burial details:
Those who lost their lives were originally buried at Becontree Cemetery on March 25th.
After the war these three crew members were re-interred at the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffs.
Uffz Donzyk Block 1. Grave 374, Lt Kohn Block 1. Grave 390 and Uffz Prodehl Block 1. Grave 375.
