Location: Fleam Dyke, Six Mile Bottom, Cambridgeshire, England.

Pilot: Feldwebel. Wilhelm Maier.

Observer: Oberleutnant. Joachim von Arnim.

Radio/Op: Unteroffizier. Paul Gersch. – Killed. CC 5/234.

Flt/Eng: Feldwebel. Karl Hauck. - Wounded.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off from Merville aerodrome to bomb Honington aerodrome.This aircraft was picked up by searchlights at 16,000 ft. and dived to 3,000 ft. to evade them. Attacked by a Spitfire at 3,000 ft. while being held by a searchlight but the rear gunner claimed to have shot it down. They were then attacked by another Spitfire and the crew bailed out. The crew had been together since the start of the war and flown 70 operational sorties.

Crew of 5J+AM L-R Karl Hauck, Wilhelm Maier, Joachim von Arnim and Paul Gersch


Left; Radio/Op Uffz. Paul Gersch in the cockpit with pilot Wilhelm Maier

The burnt out remains of the 5J + AM pictured at Fleam Dyke, Cambridgeshire.

Burial detail: Unteroffizier Paul Gersch rests in the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffs, England. Block 5 Grave 234

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with special thanks to Nigel Parker and Simon Parry. March 2015

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