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07.10.1940 6./ZG26 Messerschmitt Bf 110C-7 Wnr.3418 Ofw. Herzog Location: Long Bredy, near Dorchester, Dorset, England.
Mission: Escort sortie II./KG51 - Attack on Yeovil, England.

Date: 7th October 1940

Time: 4.00 p.m.

Unit: 6 Staffel./Zerstoerergeschwader 26

Type: Messerschmitt Bf 110C-7

Werke/Nr.3418

Coded: 3U + GP

Location: Kingston Russell Dairy Farm, Long Breedy, near Dorchester, Dorset, England.

Pilot: Oberfeldwebel. Karl Herzog – Killed. Born 24.12.1912.

Radio/Op: Obergefreiter. Herbert Schilling – Killed. Born 24.07.1913.

REASON FOR LOSS:


This aircraft was shot down by F/Lt M. L. Robinson of No. 609 Squadron during escort sortie with II./Kampfgeschwader 51 on Yeovil. Possibly also attacked by F/Lt F. J. Howell. Messerschmitt Bf 110 crashed and exploded at the dairy farm at 4.00 p.m. Both crewmen being notified as missing in action.

No. 609 Squadron Combat Report: S/Ldr Michael Robinson 07.10.1940.

At 15.24 hours No. 609 Squadron was ordered to patrol base at 20,000 feet. The Squadron was airborne at 16.30 hours with myself leading. Five minutes later we were told to proceed to Portland to intercept E/A flying from South. We headed for Portland, climbing on 238 Squadrons right flank. At about 19,000 feet, bandits were sighted about 15 miles south of us. 238 Squadron suddenly appeared to break up and turn towards the East, and at the same time I saw Me 109's above us and in the sun. It was extremely bright, and as we were heading into the sun it was very difficult to pick out enemy aircraft which for now were ahead of us, also we were rather embarrassed by the Me 109's still above us. I ordered the Squadron into sections line astern and turned underneath the 109's in the direction of the enemy aircraft and then saw a circle of Me 110's directly ahead of us and proceeded to attack. I broke away downwards without seeing the result of the attack and climbed up and engaged a seperated Me 110 astern.

A Hurricane carried out a deflection attack between myself and the Me 110 but I went on firing when the former had broken away, and the Me 110 dived vertically down with his port motor smoking. I then climbed up and asked Bandy control for the position of any E/A. He told me E/A plotted at 15,000 feet over Lyme Regis.

I proceeded to the latter place and found a circle of Me 11o's about 10 miles NW of Portland. I attacked from dead astern and it dived vertically into the ground about 5 miles N of the Coast (Little Breedy).

Signed, Michael Robinson S/Ldr. Red Section, A Flight No. 609 Squadron.

During August 1976 the Wealden Group carried out a major recovery identifying both of the crew. A little later the crew were laid to rest at Cannock Chase Military Cemetery with full military honours.

34 Uniform fragments Ogefr Schilling x2
Luftwaffe uniform fragments belonging to Obgfr. Herbert Schilling , recovered from crash site during 1976 (Hall)


Bf110 07.10.40. x2
A piece of wing or underside fuselage skinning with remains of paint (Brownless)


Bf110 07.10.40.

35 Grave Herzog & Schilling

Burial details: Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffs. Shared grave. Block 8/162 (Brownless).

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with special thanks to Steven Hall (Updated May 2013).