Web
Analytics
25.10.1940 5./JG54 Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 Wnr.5178 Lt. Wagner Location: Lydd Ranges, west of Galloways, Dungeness, Sussex, England.
Mission: Escort for bombers to Chatham, (London), England.

Date: 25
th October 1940

Time: 13.55 hours.

Unit: 5 Staffel./Jagdgeschwader 54

Type: Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4

Werk Nr.5178

Coded: 2 + (Black bordered by white)

Location: Lydd Ranges, west of Galloways, Dungeness, Sussex, England.

Pilot: Leutnant. Ernst Wagner 71123/9 – Captured POW.

REASON FOR LOSS:


Started at 12.35 hrs. escorting bombers to London. Soon after crossing the coast at 26,000 ft. this pilot and his Rottenhund became separated from the rest of the formation by Spitfires. They followed the formation towards London and sighted a squadron of Spitfires below them and while preparing to attack, they, themselves were attacked by Spitfires from above. This pilot was separated from his second and dived for thick cloud and when he emerged he found himself over the sea about 100 km south of Hastings. Being lost, he made for the English Coast but ran out of fuel and crash landed. There were no bullet strikes to be seen.

Markings: 2 in black, bordered in white. Upper half of cowling yellow, lower half orange. Spinner green with white flash and red ring at the tip.Yellow rudder. Engine: DB 601 A, made by Daimler Benz, Genshagen, works no.10039. On the fuselage of this aircraft was a square black patch prepared to receive a shield. The pilot said this was to be a man carrying a ladder, riding on a pig. Armament: two MG 17 and two 20 mm cannon. No ammunition had been used and gun barrel ends were covered in grease-proof paper. Armour; cross bulkhead in fuselage and plate behind pilot's head, but no curved head protection fitted.
This was the pilot’s second sortie of the day.

25.10.40 Lt Wagners Me 109 JG54
School children climb over the wreck of Wagners Bf 109E whilst being displayed to the public.


Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with thanks to Nigel Parker, August 2013.