Web
Analytics
08.07.1940 4./JG51 Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Wnr.1162 Lt. Boehm Location: Bladbean Hill, Elham, Kent, England.
Mission: R.A.F. Aerodromes, England.

Date: 8th July 1940

Time: 3.45 p.m.

Unit: 4 Staffel./Jagdgeschwader 51

Type: Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3

Werke/Nr.1162

Coded: 4 + (White)

Location: Bladbean Hill, Elham, Kent, England.

Pilot: Leutnant. Johann Boehm – Captured POW.

REASON FOR LOSS:


This aircraft was damaged in combat by Sergeant E. A. (Boy) Mould in a Spitfire of No.74 Squadron. Probably took off from Desvres, near Boulogne. In a formation of four aircraft, flying in line astern chasing a Spitfire, this aircraft was caught from below by another Spitfire which shot into the engine. The pilot put the aircraft into a dive to escape but was hit in the non self-sealing fuel tank and crash landed with undercarriage retracted.

Markings: 4 in white with red border. Aircraft had a staffel sign of a Raven with spectacles and an umbrella under its arm. Built by Erla Maschinwerke. Armament: two 20 mm cannon and two 7.9 MG. The pilot had been in the air force for two years and had carried out ninety-five War Flights.and forced to land at Bladbean Hill, pilot taken prisoner. Aircraft captured damaged. This was the first German fighter to be shot down over the UK.

COMBAT REPORT Sgt E. A. Mould 1940

I was Red leader of “A” flight No.74 Squadron, with No. 2 of Blue Section also in company. The four of us were on interception patrol over Dover when I sighted four Me 109s flying in line astern on my starboard beam. I gave the order, Line astern and turned to starboard, climbing up under the tail of the rear Me 109. I gave him a short 30 degree deflection shot and he immediately half-rolled and dived to ground level followed by Red 2.

In trying to follow him I blacked myself out and lost sight of him, but I saw another Me 109 also flying at low level so I dived on him from about 3,000 feet. He immediately dived to ground level and used evasive tactics by flying along the valleys behind Dover and Folkestone, which only allowed me to fire short deflection bursts at him. After two of these bursts smoke or vapour came from the radiator beneath his port wing and other bursts appeared to enter the fuselage. He eventually landed with his wheels up as I fired my last burst at him in a field near Elham. The pilot was apparantly uninjured and I circled round him till he was taken prisoner.

(1) Lt Boehme 109E
Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Wnr.1162 pictured shortly after landing at Bladbean Hill.


(2) shot down by Spitfires of No 74 Squadron over Kent on the afternoon of 8 July 1940.

(3) 109-front


(4)

(5)ccc(6)
Leutnant Boehm pictured shortly after capture being held under guard in a tent at Brome Park


(7)
Eventually being taken away for interrogation.


(8)
Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Wnr.1162 being dismantled at Bladbean Hill (via King)


Researched & compiled by Melvin Brownless & David King, updated August 2013.