Junkers Ju88A-1 4D+EK

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Aircraft Type Photo

BELOW: A Junkers Ju88 bomber.

a junkers ju-88 bomber

Photo: 1940. Published in Aircraft of the Fighting Powers Vol I. Ed: H J Cooper, O G Thetford and D A. Russell Harborough Publishing Co, Leicester, England 1940. (Courtesy, Wikipedia)

Aircraft Type and Background

Deutsche Luftwaffe Junkers Ju88A-1 / 4D+EK

The fastest of the German bombers, the twin-engine Junkers Ju88 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 night fighter.

The Ju88 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 Ju88A-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 Ju88 accommodated a crew of four.

Aircraft Incident Details

On October 16th 1939, Luftwaffe Junkers Ju88A-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 Ju88'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 HMS 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 Ju88 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 (as distinct from the earlier air-to-air combat with the RAF over the Firth of Forth).

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.

Aircraft Crew Casualties

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:

Unteroffizier Fritz Ambrosius (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner)

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.

Crash Site Photos

Memorial Photos

BELOW: Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, with the Cross of Sacrifice on the right.

Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery with Cross of Sacrifice on the right of photo

Photo: (©) 2008 Steven Spink

BELOW: It is understood that the two graves shown below at Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery mark the last resting place of two of the three German airmen who died when their Ju88 was brought down over Hoy.

the headstone marking the last resting place of a german soldier / airman

a second german soldier / airman lies buried at this spot

Photos: (©) 2008 Steven Spink

BELOW: A propeller blade from the Ju88 that crashed at Pegal Burn. This blade is now on display in the museum on Hoy.

a propeller blade from the Ju-88. The blade is now at the museum on hoy

Photo: (©) 2008 Steven Spink

BELOW: Pegal Burn, on the Isle of Hoy, Orkney. The Ju88 crashed in this vicinty.

Pegal Burn, Isle of Hoy, Orkney

Photo: (©) 2008 Steven Spink

BELOW: Another view of Pegal Burn, where the Ju88 was brought down by anti-aircraft fire from the battery on Rysa Little.

Another view of Pegal Burn where the Ju88 was brought down by anti-aircraft fire from Rysa Little

Photo: (©) 2008 Steven Spink

Photo Gallery

At the moment, there are no additional crash site photos in the Photo Gallery.

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Crash Date / Site

Accident Date: 17 Oct 1939

Accident Site:

Pegal Burn

(Isle of Hoy)

Region: Orkney (Isle of Hoy)

Nearest town or village:

Lyness

Nearest large town:

None on Hoy. Nearest by ferry to Stromness (N) or Kirkwall (E) on Orkney mainland.

OS Grid Ref. N/A

GPS Ref. N/A

Present Condition: Possibly, a few fragments still onsite; although these may have been removed. Part of a propeller blade is on display at the museum in Hoy.