Location: U.S.A.A.F. Earls Colne airfield, Essex, England. (M.9046 War Revision 1940)

Pilot: Oberleutnant. Hans Diblik. 53564/236 – Killed. Born 04.05.1923.

Observer: Unteroffizier. Egon Staufenberg. 53564/226 – Killed. Born 22.06.1918.

Radio/Op: Unteroffizier. Hermann Kamradt. 53564/227 – Killed. Born 16.12.1922.

Gunner: Feldwebel. Josef Zimmermann. 53564/220 – Captured POW. Born 27.07.1920.

REASON FOR LOSS:

This aircraft was shot down by F/Lt J. A. S. Hall and F/O Cairns in a Mosquito of No. 488 squadron. Crashed into three Marauder aircraft, caught fire and exploded.

Started from Brussels / Melsbroek to bomb London. This aircraft was on its way to the target when it was held by searchlights; in spite of evasive action it was effectively attacked by a night fighter. The gunner was the only member of the crew to bale out and the aircraft crashed in flames onto a Marauder, with the rest of the crew still on board. One 500 kg bomb exploded, scattering wreckage across the airfield. Markings: The call sign was CR+CK. The upper surfaces were a greenish grey whilst the under surfaces had been sprayed black over yellow. The spinners were dark green with alternate red and light green bands. Engines: Jumo 211 J-1. One engine plate gave 9-211J-1 MZK 211 J-1 No. 15278, manufactured by Junkers. Schwartz wooden propellers fitted. Armament: one 1,000 kg HE, one 500 kg HE and ten 50 kg bombs carried. Two MG 81, one MG 131, twin MG 81. One 1,000 kg HE bomb was found on the airfield.

The total wreck of Diblik’s Ju 88 scattered over the airfield.

Col A. W. Schofield, Lt/Col E. F. Quinn and Brigadier General Harry Johnson inspect the wreckage lying on their
Ninth US Air Force airfield at Earls Colne.

Burial detail:

cc
Hans Diblik Brookwood, Surrey. (King) ccccccccccccccc cccccccc Egon Staufenberg Brookwood, Surrey. (King)

Hermann Kamradt Cannock Chase Block 5 Grave 326.

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless and David King. Special thanks to Nigel Parker. March 2015