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Registration or Serial: Coded 4D+EK
Operator: Deutsche Luftwaffe
Operating Base:
Westerland; Kampfgeschwader 30
Adler (Bomber)
Base Location:
Westerland, Isle of Sylt, Northern
Germany.
Current Airport
Status: Operational Civil Airport
Current Airport Name:
Flughaven Sylt (Westerland
- Sylt Airport) (GWT / EDXW)
Aircraft Type & Background
The fastest of the German bombers, the twin-engined Junkers Ju 88
was used to great effect by the Luftwaffe. It could be adapted for
use as a medium bomber, a dive-bomber, a torpedo-bomber, a
reconnaissance aircraft, and a nightfighter.
The Ju 88 was equipped initially with Daimler-Benz DB 600A V-12
engines. In later versions, Junkers Jumo 211-J1 or 211-J2 types were
used. The Ju 88A-1 featured here was equipped with 1,200hp Jumo
211B-1 engines.
The aircraft was equipped with internal bomb bays,
supplemented in later models with provision for bombs carried
externally. Later variants were fitted with increased wingspans,
strengthened landing gear and rocket-assisted take-off equipment.
The Ju 88 accommodated a crew of four.
Aircraft Incident Details
On October 16th 1939,
Luftwaffe Junkers Ju 88A-1 bombers left Westerland on the Isle of
Sylt (Northern Germany) for anti-shipping raids against Britain. An
initial raid targeted Rosyth, damaging three ships. However, two of
the Ju 88's were engaged by fighters of 602 and 603 Squadrons RAF
and shot down by these fighters over the Firth of Forth.
The next day, the
Luftwaffe conducted a raid against ships in Scapa Flow, including
Iron Duke which received two direct hits causing extensive
damage. The battleship was saved from sinking by a tug called to its
assistance.
However, during the
attack, one Ju 88 was struck by anti-aircraft fire from guns on a
islet close to Hoy known as Rysa Little. Consequently, the
bomber—now in flames—crashed
to the ground on the Isle of Hoy, in the vicinity of Pegal Burn.
With much of its bomb load still intact, the aircraft exploded on
impact.
This was the
first enemy bomber to be shot down over British soil by
anti-aircraft guns. According to the
RAF Museum, the bombs exploding on Hoy were considered to be the
first enemy bombs to explode on British soil.
Three of the crew died
in this engagement. The wireless operator / air gunner, however,
survived.
The crew who died
were:
-
Oberleutnant
Walter Flaemig (pilot)
-
Oberfeldweber
Faust (Observer)
-
Unteroffizier
Attenburger (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner)
One crew member
escaped with serious injuries.
Uffz. F. Ambrosius escaped by parachute.
However, he sustained serious injuries when his parachute caught
fire and he landed heavily. After his capture, he spent a month in
hospital.
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