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Downed German aircraft

Ann Steiner

Ann Steiner

master brummie
Is there a website or list anywhere that chronicles German aircraft downed during the war in the Birmingham area -- locations of where they crashed?

Ann
 
I haven't seen anything myself, and i have looked also. The only lead i would have is via the "bomb map" held in the central library, where downed enemy aircraft were marked on as a little plane icon.
If anybody knows of somewhere with this info, I'd be interested too
 
Take a look at www.couplandbell.com for details of all WW2 crash sites in the West Midlands, including German aircraft. I think this site is being serviced at the moment, so be patient.

I have a feeling that most enemy aircraft downed in the UK during WW2 were moved and scrapped very quickly, without the actual site being recorded in any way. At least that seems to apply to enemy aircraft that came down in accessible areas.

Big Gee
 
Big Gee -- Just found your reply to my post from January. I checked the link that you kindly supplied. While I don't think any of the listed German aircraft were the one I was looking for, it's a fascinating site and one I have bookmarked. Thanks much!

Best,
Ann
 
I always was interested in the BMMO parking lot at Digbeth. During the daytime many relics could be seen parked there.
At some time during WW2, most likely in the later part, I recall seeing a German aircraft which had presumably been shot down and had crashed onto the roof of buildings adjacent to the entrance road to the Digbeth Garage.

** I just spotted another thread about Digbeth and downed aircraft but that seems to focus on an RAF aircraft. I am sure the one I saw was a German aircraft.
 
Hi Ann,

A few years ago I used to subscribe to a newsletter called "Aviation Archeologist" published by these people:-

https://www.aviationarchaeology.org.uk/baacnews.htm

Whilst much of it relates to excavations of sites of downed aircraft, several knowledgeable people who maintained lists of such incidents were mentioned and could be contacted. I think the information is available, but you may not find it online. It's certainly well worth contacting them for suggestions. I've found them very helpful in the past.

EDIT: All now seems to be part of the same site supported by Coupland Bell!

Maurice :cool:
 
I have no idea of "downed" German aircraft, but I do remember, early in the war, seeing a captured Messerschmitt 109 fighter plane on display outside the Hall of Memory in Broad Street. Large crowds saw it and it was displayed, I believe, to raise money for War Bonds. I remember that the plane looked in pretty good condition. Later during the war they also displayed a Lancaster bomber at the same venue.
 
Was it 1977 that hot summer with Ladybirds i did all my courting around Earlswood in my motorbike days i recall they found a crashed german plane?
 
Donbogen said:
Was it 1977 that hot summer with Ladybirds i did all my courting around Earlswood in my motorbike days i recall they found a crashed german plane?
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Not sure which post you are responding to Don? Do you have any further information about a downed German plane and where was this?
 
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BernardR said:
Not sure which post you are responding to Don? Do you have any further information about a downed German plane and where was this?
Click to expand...

No Bernard i know it was the early 70s the water level on the lakes had fallen no aircraft found in water but what was found was police matter i was working on a building site at Drakes Cross the lorry drivers visting that site told use that a German plane had been found at Earlswood they had bits of the plane in there cabs which i now have but they are mixed up with other German plane bits i dug up at a ex Luftwaffe airfield i was based at i have just spoke to my good lady we still have them buried in one of the outhouses may be the story was hearsay these drivers were charaters sorry i can not help you more .
 
Thanks Don - I have checked to see if my memory was correct about the incident and you have the year bang on. A body was found but as it was nothing to do with the Luftwaffe I will forward it to you by Private Message.
 
norfolk brummie said:
I have no idea of "downed" German aircraft, but I do remember, early in the war, seeing a captured Messerschmitt 109 fighter plane on display outside the Hall of Memory in Broad Street. Large crowds saw it and it was displayed, I believe, to raise money for War Bonds. I remember that the plane looked in pretty good condition. Later during the war they also displayed a Lancaster bomber at the same venue.
Click to expand...

norfolk brummie, you're like a breath of fresh air !
I've been talking for ages about seeing a display outside the Hall of Memory, when I was small but no-one knew what I was talking about.
The display I saw included, a Spitfire, a V1 missile and a Bofors AA gun demonstration.
From what you describe, there must've been a number of displays at that location during the war.
 
BernardR said:
Thanks Don - I have checked to see if my memory was correct about the incident and you have the year bang on. A body was found but as it was nothing to do with the Luftwaffe I will forward it to you by Private Message.
Click to expand...

Funnily enough Bernard, (I hope I can get this in OK), I recently found a clipping from one of the Brum newspapers, I do't know what year it's from but it's of interest anyway.

"Rumbush Lane, Earlswood"

In May 1941 a German bomber was shot down in a field near Rumbush Lane.
Three of its crew died instantly while a fourth survived his injuries.
It's thought the Heinkel III plane was the only one to fall on Solihull during WW2.
It had been trying to reach the Austin factory at Longbridge but is thought to have been stopped by shots from a Home Guard Lewis gun.
(I'll do the second part later if I may).
 
You are correct. There were other displays at the Hall of Memory to raise funds for the war, including a Spitfire. I was around 8 years of age at the time, and remember the events.
 
I remember being taken by my father to see a downed German bomber at the Hall of Memory. I cannot remember the type of plane but I have seen a photograph of it printed in the Birmingham Mail in years gone by. I was scouring this site in the hope that someone might have submitted it. So it's still a case of carry on searching. Regards. willey
 
maypolebaz said:
Funnily enough Bernard, (I hope I can get this in OK), I recently found a clipping from one of the Brum newspapers, I do't know what year it's from but it's of interest anyway.

"Rumbush Lane, Earlswood"

In May 1941 a German bomber was shot down in a field near Rumbush Lane.
Three of its crew died instantly while a fourth survived his injuries.
It's thought the Heinkel III plane was the only one to fall on Solihull during WW2.
It had been trying to reach the Austin factory at Longbridge but is thought to have been stopped by shots from a Home Guard Lewis gun.
(I'll do the second part later if I may).
Click to expand...

Second part.

William Perry of Earlswood, a member of the Home Guard, was later fined forty shillings by Solihull Magistrates Court for failing to report finding a scorched pair of gloves belonging to one of the dead flying officers. He had kept them as a memento.
The three bodies were interred at Robin Hood Cemetery where local schoolchildren put flowers on their graves but were later reburied at the German War Cemetery at Cannock Chase.

Hope this helps.
 
maypolebaz said:
Funnily enough Bernard, (I hope I can get this in OK), I recently found a clipping from one of the Brum newspapers, I do't know what year it's from but it's of interest anyway.

"Rumbush Lane, Earlswood"

In May 1941 a German bomber was shot down in a field near Rumbush Lane.
Three of its crew died instantly while a fourth survived his injuries.
It's thought the Heinkel III plane was the only one to fall on Solihull during WW2.
It had been trying to reach the Austin factory at Longbridge but is thought to have been stopped by shots from a Home Guard Lewis gun.
(I'll do the second part later if I may).
Click to expand...
Thanks for that Baz I did find some but not a lot as yet.
 
paul stacey said:
What no photo's surely there must have been at least one Brummie with a box brownie?
Click to expand...

That's a very interesting question, Paul. Of course one can never know what is tucked away in old family albums. But generally speaking it does seem that there are very few private images of exciting local events such as this during the war years. Off-topic to pursue this further but I wonder if the subject might be a suitable subject for a new thread some time.

Chris
 
Hallo Chris,

Re "Rumbush Lane, Earlswood"

I'm surprised you haven't picked up on the Home Guard shooting down a Heinkel with a Lewis !
 
I have a number of books which contain official photos taken during the war but due to censorship their locations are identified as "crashed plane somewhere in midlands", "south coast" etc so we will never know where these photos are from. Also public access to a crash site (as in this case) would have been very difficult.

Colin
 
Im going have to dig out my bits of this plane i will post pics the largest bit has a 303 bullet hole that bit came in a load of top soil delivered to the site at Drakes Cross word got round of the bits of plane i had and a old man who lived in Simms lane was ex home guard said he was first at the crash site he gave me a crew members belt which i still have i will post pic with other bits in near future im busy at mo getting bars ready for season.
 
maypolebaz said:
I'm surprised you haven't picked up on the Home Guard shooting down a Heinkel with a Lewis !
Click to expand...

Most certainly DID pick it up, maypolebaz! Trouble is, corroborating whether what the paper report said was true and finding the evidence. If it were true it would have been a heck of an achievement. If only we knew the individual concerned or at least the city HG unit concerned. What is pretty certain is that some blokes must have been having a go and that's why the paper picked up the possibility of their being responsible.

Chris
 
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