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06.09.1940 3./ZG 26 Messerschmitt Bf 110C-4 Wnr.2146 Uffz. Kiehn Location: Cannons Hill, Coulsdon, Surrey, England. +
Mission: Escort sortie over Kenley aerodrome.

Date: 6th September 1940

Time: 09.35 a.m.

Unit: 3 Staffel./Zerstoerergeschwader 26

Type: Messerschmitt Bf 110C-4

Werke/Nr.2146

Code: U8 + CL

Location: Cannons Hill, Coulsdon, Surrey, England.

Pilot: Unteroffizier. Christoph Kiehn. – Killed.

Radio/Op: Unteroffizier. Egon Neuss. – Slightly wounded POW.

REASON FOR LOSS:


Started from Abbeville. The aircraft was attacked by Hurricanes, the wireless operator being wounded in the hand and the pilot broke off the flight. Shortly afterwards there was an explosion which may have been caused by AA fire. The aircraft went into a spin and the wireless operator baled out from 800 ft. The pilot was killed in the aircraft.

This aircraft was attacked by fighters, possibly Hurricanes of No.111 Squadron, during escort sortie for ErproGr./210 over Kenley. Abandoned following an explosion in the aircraft and crashed on the golf-course at Cannons Hill. Uffz. Kiehn was killed and Uffz. Neuss slightly wounded in hand, baled out low level and was captured.

8 ZG26 Me 110 U8+CL 06.09.40
The aftermath of the crash, just a slit in the ground with very little wreckage on the surface.


Note: A major recovery by the London Air Museum in 1976. Daimler-Benz DB 601 engine excavated together with propeller boss, both undercarriage legs and tyres, tail wheel oleo, complete armament, cockpit instruments, first-aid kit, pilots parachute and port tail fin still bearing traces of Swastika marking. Tail wheel oleo, pilots diary and parachute, together with first-aid kit, seat harness and cockpit instruments now in the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum.

Re-excavated by Chris Bennett in 1984. Daimler-Benz DB 601 engine, propeller boss and blades unearthed together with both engine badges.

9 Grave Uffz Kiehn

Burial details: The only fatality Christoph Kiehn now lies in the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase. Block 5 Grave 65. (Brownless)

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with thanks to Nigel Parker. March 2015