Date: 13th August 1940
Time: 8.30 a.m.
Unit: Stab.Staffel./ Kampfgeschwader 2
Type: Dornier Do 17Z
Werke/Nr. (Not known)
Coded: U5 + KA
Location: Pherbec Bridge, Barham, Kent, England.
Pilot: Oberleutnant. Heinz Schlegel. – Captured.
Observer: Oberleutnant. Gerhard Osswald. (Staffelfuehrer) – Captured injured.
Observer 2: Oberfeldwebel. Ernst Holtz. – Captured injured.
Radio/Op: Oberfeldwebel. Gustav Babbe. – Captured injured.
REASON FOR LOSS:
Started from St Leger, near Arras at 06.30 hrs. to bomb Eastchurch aerodrome, with ten 50 kg bombs. Flying westwards over the Thames Estuary, was attacked by a Spitfire that came out of the sun and put shots into the tail and motor. Aircraft forced landed and broke in half across the Canterbury-Folkestone railway line at Pherbec Bridge.
Markings: K in green. Shield: bomb falling from a cloud with man sitting on it, holding a telescope.
The wreck of Heinz Schlegel rests broken at Pherbec Bridge, Barham, Kent.
Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless, with special thanks to Nigel Parker. (June 2014).