RECENT STORMS and tidal erosion have uncovered the wreckage of a Luftwaffe bomber shot down at Blakeney on the Norfolk coast just prior to the Battle of Britain, reports James McNally.
On 19 June 1940, twelve Heinkel He 111 aircraft of Stab.II/KG4 were detailed to carry out a nighttime attack on the RAF airfields at Honington and Mildenhall and which would result in the loss of five of the raiding force. The attack was undertaken under cover of darkness on the basis that the RAF’s night-fighter defences were inadequate to non-existent. As it happened, and although there was good reason to doubt the efficacy of the RAF’s night fighters at this time, the defenders just happened to be up in force that night.
Although not designed or suited for night-fighting, Spitfires of 19 and 74 Squadrons were sent up on interception patrols, along with Blenheim night-fighters of 23 Squadron. In total, five of the raiders were shot down, although return fire also brought down two Blenheims which resulted in the deaths of three of the crew
At Blakeney, or more specifically at The Hood, Cley-next-the-Sea, one of the aircraft, 5J+DM, W.Nr 8747, was ditched at the water’s edge just before 01:00 by the pilot, Oblt Ulrich J…
