Date: 24th February 1944
Time: 9.58 p.m.
Unit: 8 Staffel/Kampfgeschwader 6
Type: Junkers Ju 88A-4
Werke/Nr. 710409
Code: 3E + PS
Location: Hale Farm, Lyewood Common, Withyham, Sussex.
Pilot: Feldwebel Gerhard Wuetzig 53564/156 Killed (Born 16.07.1922 in Riesa.)
Observer: Unteroffizier Albert Hessmann 53564/157 Killed (Born 06.10.1920 in Dusseldorf.)
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier Eberhard Wulf 53564/158 POW (Born 20.05.1919 in Wamel/Soest.)
Gunner: Obergefreiter Albert Gruendler 53564/159 POW (Born 25.06.1923 in Weil/Rhein.)
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 crashed in flames.
The radio operator and gunner baled out while the bodies of the pilot and observer were found in the wreckage. All members of the crew had the EK.I (Iron Cross 1st Class) and the pilot and observer held the Bronze (20) warflights badge.
A.I.(g) Report States: The aircraft seemed to have pancaked in a small hollow, and would have been intact had fire not broken out. The whole of the cockpit and centre section were destroyed, but the remainder was only slightly damaged.
Identification markings; 3E + PS (P black outlined in red). There was no works No. on the fin but from various pieces of wreckage it is thought to have been 710409. Camouflage; Black underneath, sides of the fuselage and top wing surfaces were olive green with greeny-grey wavy lines superimposed.
On the lower half of the fin and rudder the wavy lines were blue-grey.
Engines; Jumo 211J. Starboard engine No. 1041302931. Maker J.F.S. Port engine No. 3604. Armament; No guns were found in the wreckage, but it is possible that they had been jettisoned as two of the crew had baled out. Internal Equipment; FuG 10P, FuG 16, Fug 101A and FuB1 2F. Usual dive-bombing equipment, Stuvi 5b sighting head and BZA computer were carried. No balloon cable cutter was fitted to the leading edge of the mainplane.
De-icing was by hot air on the mainplanes. Goodrich type on the tailplane.
The burnt out wreck of Feldwebel Wuetzig's Ju 88A-4 at Hale Farm
Burial details:
Gerhard Wuetzig and Albert Hessmann now lie together at the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffs. Block 9 Grave 44.
