Date: 14th August 1940
Time: 12.10 hours.
Unit: 2 Staffel./Erprobungsgruppe 210
Type: Messerschmitt Me 110D
Werke/Nr. (Not recorded).
Coded: S9 + MK
Location: Manston aerodrome, Kent, England.
Pilot: Unteroffizier. Hans Steding. 53585/? – Killed.
Radio/Op: Gefreiter. Ewald Schank. 53585/? – Baled out and captured.
REASON FOR LOSS:
Started from Benain airfield at 11.30 hrs., refuelling at St Omer, prior to an attack on Manston aerodrome. The diving attack consisted of three aircraft from the first staffel and four from the second, with seven Me 109’s as escort.
Just after dropping the bombs, the aircraft sustained a direct hit from a Bofors AA gun, which caused the aircraft to explode. (According to the diary of Lt Erich Beudel, when this aircraft exploded it brought down S9+NK). Gefr Ewald Schank baled out wounded and upon pulling rip cord passed out only coming to in Manston sick ward.
Armament: four machine guns, belt fed and two cannon recovered. Two external bomb racks under front fuselage near cannon; two 250 kg bombs carried. No bomb sight found, just a mark on the pilots’ windscreen. Markings: shield; a yellow bomb sight over a map of England and Northern Ireland in red, Southern Ireland only in outline.
A soldier examines the wreckage of Hans Steding’s Messerschmitt at Manston. (Parker/Parry).
Burial detail: Uffz. Hans Steding now rests at the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, England. Grave 1/421. (Brownless)
Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless. Special thanks to Nigel Parker, Simon Parry and John Vasco. April 2017.