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03.07.1940 8./KG77 Dornier Do 17Z Wnr.2642 Uffz. Brandes Location: Paddock Wood, near Tonbridge, Kent, England.
Mission: R.A.F. Airfields, southern England.

Date: 3
rd July 1940

Time: 17.00 hours.

Unit: 8 Staffel./Kampfgeschwader 77

Type: Dornier Do 17Z

Werk Nr.2642

Coded: 3Z + GS

Location: Paddock Wood, near Tonbridge, Kent, England.

Pilot: Unteroffizier. Richard Brandes. - Wounded.

Observer: Oberleutnant. Hans-Georg Gallion. - Badly wounded.

Radio/Op: Obergefreiter. Erich Hoffmann. – Killed.
CC 1/248.

Flt/Eng: Unteroffizier. Waldermar Theilig. – Killed. CC 1/249.

REASON FOR LOSS:


Intercepted over Tonbridge by three Hurricanes at 8,000 ft. and jettisoned their remaining bomb load of nine 50 kg bombs (having previously dropped six 50 kg over Kenley airfield). The first attack killed the rear gunner and the pilot made for some clouds but a further two attacks were made before the aircraft crashed in a hop field, killing the wireless operator. Although the nose of the aircraft was badly smashed, it did not catch fire and the engines were virtually undamaged. Markings: a white shield bearing a black eagle was painted on either side of the nose. Armament: the aircraft was fitted with six MG's, one in nose, two side top, one rear top and two lower. Armour plate was fitted behind the pilot and the wireless operator.

Do 17 x1

Do 17 x2

Do17 x3
The smashed cockpit area.


Do 17 x4
An armed guard points at the riddled fuselage.

Do 17 x5
Remains of the parachute and pack belonging to one of those who was killed.

Do 17 x6
The fuselage of 3Z + GS ends up at the scrap metal recycling depot to be melted down.

Cannock Chase Cemetery x7

Burial detail: Those who losr their lives now rest in the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffs, England. Erich Hoffmann. Block 1 Grave 248. Waldermar Theilig, Block 1 Grave 249.

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless June 2013.