Pilot: Feldwebel. Gerhard Scheidt. 60014/ - Captured injured.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Shot down by F/O W. L. McKnight of No.242 Squadron and F/O L. A. Haines of No.19 Squadron.

On a free-lance patrol with twenty four other aircraft from the Gruppe. While flying at 26,000 ft. the formation was attacked by Spitfires and a running fight took place between Southend and Chatham, climbing to 32,000 ft. Although the pilot claime that his aircraft was not hit his engine started to give trouble and he came down to 10,000 ft. when he encountered two Hurricanes which shot up the engine. The pilot bailed out at 1,600 ft. and landed in a tree, sustaining facial injuries, the aircraft dived into the ground and disintegrated. Engine buried. No bullet strikes were found in any of the wreckage. Markings: Nose and fin yellow. Airframe made by Arado Werke, in 1940. Armament: two 20 mm cannon and two MG 17. No armour could be traced.
The pilot's morale was high and had lived in America for some time; his first remark to his interrogator being “When are you going to take this Goddamn thorn out of my cheek”.

Feldwebel. Gerhard Scheidt (via Jeckel)

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with special thanks to Horst Jeckel, June 2013.