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02.03.1944 2./KG100 Heinkel He 177A-3 Wnr.332206 Lt. Goetze Location: Hammer Wood, East Grinstead, Sussex, England. +
Mission: Attack on London, England.

Date: 2nd March 1944

Time: 03.15 a.m.

Unit: 2 Staffel./Kampfgeschwader 100

Type: Heinkel He 177A-3

Werke Nr. 332206

Coded: 5J + KK (KK black outlined in white).

Location: Hammer Wood, near East Grinstead, Sussex, England.

Pilot: Leutnant. Kurt Goetze. 68578/92 – Killed. Born 27.10.1922 in Berlin.

Observer: Unteroffizier. Friedrich Emmerich. 55537/151 - Injured POW. Born 30.04.1921 in Bergen-Enkheim.

Radio/Op: Unteroffizier. Andreas Stuckenberg. D65514/12 - Killed. Born 27.03.1920 in Muenchen.

Flt/Engineer: Unteroffizier. Heinz Pohl. 68578/189 - Injured POW. Born 26.10.1922 in Rostken.

Gunner: Unteroffizier. Ferdinand Klari. 68578/187 – POW. Born 08.05.1922 in Erkenschwick.

Gunner: Obergefreiter. Willi Fischer. 55530/120 - Seriously Injured. Born 10.04.1920 in Kiel.

REASON FOR LOSS:


This aircraft was shot down by W/C G. H. Goodman and F/O W. F. E, Thomas in a Mosquito Mk XIII of No.151 Squadron. Their Mosquito was damaged when hit by flying debris from the exploding Heinkel. Ogfr. Willi Fischer lost both of his legs later in hospital from severe injuries sustained.

Started from Chateaudun at about 01.30 hrs. to attack London. About fifteen aircraft from I./KG 100 took part in this operation. From a captured map the course from Chateaudun to M/F beacon No.8 at Cherbourg and thence to a turning point about six miles WSW of Watford. The run over London was to be made on a bearing of 116°T to a second turning point at Maidstone, and from there the course was straight back to Chateaudun.

The target in London was north of the Thames and was to be marked by a cluster of red flares. 6N+KK was the second or third aircraft to take off and it was flying over Sussex at about 20,000 ft. on its way to the target when there was a sudden loud explosion and the aircraft caught fire.

The upper gunner thought that the explosion was an oxygen bottle having been hit but none of the survivors knew whether this was due to a night fighter or to AA fire. Orders were given to bale out and the observer, bordmechaniker and tail-gunner were captured more or less unhurt. The upper gunner was seriously injured and the pilot and wireless operator were killed. The aircraft came down in flames; it commenced to break up before it hit the ground and wreckage was scattered over an area of half a mile square. Two 1,000 kg bombs were found in a wood. Markings: KK black outlined in white but one document and a P/W. gave the markings as 5J+KK. Call sign TI+FQ. Under surfaces spray painted black, sides and upper surfaces spray painted a mottled grey blue. Engines: DB 610 fitted with four bladed metal propellers.

Armament: four 1,000 kg bombs carried. Twin MG131 in dorsal turret, one MG131 in large armoured shield probably from ventral position. Ammunition for a 20 mm gun found.

Equipment: Communications equipment FuG 10, FuG 16, Fubl 2F, blind landing apparatus and a separate Peilgerat 6 DF receiver were also carried. A mounting for a FuG 25 also found. Wiring and mounting for FuG 216, the latest tail warning device were installed and the aerial arrays were built into the wings. The radio altimeter was a conversion from FuG 101 to FuG 101A.

This was a very highly experienced crew and all of them apart from the observer held the Gold (110) War Flights Badge.

1
The tail of the aircraft in the hands of the local police (Parry)


2
Another view of wreckage at the crash site in Hammer Woods (Parry)


3
Scattered ammunition was found in the woodland by the authorities (Parry)


4 Willi Fischercc5 Willi Fischer
Willi Fischer in flight gear and with his legs! (Hall)


6 Willi with no legs
Willi had to have both legs amputated due to injuries sustained in the crash (Hall)


7 Willi with wife
Willi Fischer pictured here after his return home from Sweden (Hall)


Burial Detail:

8 Gravecc9 Grave
Kurt Goetze and Andreas Stuckenberg rest in the German Military Cemetery at Cannock Chase, Staffs, England.


Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with thanks to Simon Parry and Steven Hall. Updated July 2014.

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