Date: 24th February 1944
Time: 10.00 p.m.
Unit: 6 Staffel / Kampfgeschwader 2
Type: Junkers Ju 188A-
Werke/Nr. 260321
Code: U5 + GP
Location: Queens Farm, Shorne, Kent.
Pilot: Leutnant Friedrich Wilhelm von Pawelsz 58215/205 Killed Born 03.01.1921 in Stolp.
Observer: Obergefreiter Bruno Schievelbein 57357/113 Killed Born 22.12.1922 in Neustettin.
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Michael Hofmockel 57357/121 POW Born 23.03.1922 in Ansbach.
Gunner : Unteroffizier Fritz Otto 58209/157 POW Born 07.04.1921 in Königsberg.
Gunner: Gefreiter Adalbert Thimian 57359/588 Killed Born 22.01.1923 in Praust.
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft was shot down by F/Lt R. C. Pargeter and F/Lt R. L. Fell in a Mosquito of No.29 Squadron.
Aircraft broke up in the air with the main wreckage falling at Queens Farm.
This was the third enemy aircraft that Pargeter & Fell had combat with this night. At 21.44 hours encountered what they thought was a Ju 88, strikes hitting the fuselage & wing roots, dived down to 8,000 feet when contact lost.
Six minutes later they had another contact and climbed to 18,000 feet when discovered a Ju 88 held by searchlights.
Attacked enemy aircraft where port engine caught fire and the aircraft fell to the ground in flames and exploded at approximately 10 - 20 miles NE of Brighton.
At around 21.55 hours Mosquito saw another enemy aircraft to the east.
A chase ensued and enemy aircraft wrongly identified as a Me 410 (was infact Pawelsz Ju 188). Several short bursts were given at varying ranges, 200 yds - 50 yds during the dog fight in which the enemy aircraft was constantly in and out of the searchlights, but the A.I. contact was maintained. Finally F/Lt Pargeter from slightly below gave a burst into the belly of the aircraft then pulled up the nose and gave a burst from 50 yds astern seeing the starboard engine and whole of fuselage a sheet of flame. Enemy aircraft went down in a slow spiral and was followed by search-lights and seen to blow up on the ground at 21.59 hours. A fix was then obtained N of West Malling.
The A.I.(k) Report No.92/1944 states the following:
This aircraft was approaching the coast of Kent when a fire occurred in the tail unit. The radio operator and gunner baled out, and the aircraft crashed with the pilot and observer still onboard. According to local reports, some cannon or M.G. fire was heard in the air shortly before the aircraft was seen to crash.The body of the fifth member of the crew, possibly an extra gunner, was found in the wreckage, but his name could not be established.
The crew from L to R: Obgefr Schievelbein, Uffz Hofmockel, Lt Pawelsz, Gefr Thimian and Uffz Otto. (via S. Hall)
The wrecked remains of Ju 188 (U5 + GP) near Queens Fm being inspected by R.A.F. personnel (via S. Parry)
Burial details:
Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffs.
Those who lost their lives can be found in Block 5, Graves 55, 56 & 57.
Researched by Melvin Brownless. Aircrew Remembrance Society July 2009
