Location: Stocks Lane, East Wittering, Chichester, Sussex. Q.2417.

Pilot: Unteroffizier. Franz Sondermeier.

Observer: Unteroffizier. Heinrich Liebermann. – Killed.

Radio/Op: Obergefreiter. Georg Seuss.

Flt/Eng: Flieger. Peter May. – Killed.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Started from Evreux at 22.44 hrs. to bomb an aircraft factory in Birmingham. Four 50 kg bombs in fuselage and two 250 kg bombs on wings. The course taken by this aircraft was Evreux - Cherbourg, landfall west of the Isle of Wight on a direct course to Birmingham at 15,000 ft. En route the aircraft was caught by searchlights and fired at by AA, just before reaching Birmingham they were attacked by a night fighter from behind, the starboard engine being hit, they jettisoned the bombs and turned for home. Nearing the coast and loosing height the starboard engine caught fire, so the crew baled out. Aircraft dived into the ground and was completely burnt out. A few .303 strikes were found in the wing spar.

Markings: Y in yellow. Shield; Death's Head in White. One plate shows airframe or component made by Henschel F.W., licence Junkers.

Damaged by F/Lt J. Cunningham and Sgt J. Phillipson in a Beaufighter (R2098) of No. 604 Squadron over the Midlands and flew on to crash at Stocks Lane. Recorded as the first “kill” by an A1 equipped Beaufighter. Uffz. Sondermeier and Gefr. G. Seuss baled out and taken prisoner. Uffz. Liebermann and Flg. May killed.

Combat report of John “Cats eyes” Cunningham






A very young boy studies the smashed wreckage of the Junkers. (Pat Burgess Collection)


With crowds still coming from all around all interest was with the Junkers. (Pat Burgess Collection)


Another young boy looks at the Junkers tail wheel. (Pat Burgess Collection

Overall view looking at the crash site, the impact area being in the foreground. (Pat Burgess Collection)

Items recovered by the Wealden Aviation Archaeological Group in October 1977 included propeller blades now in the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum.

The team carefully remove the turf before digging commences. (Pat Burgess Collection)

Assorted aircraft wreckage is discovered still buried. (Pat Burgess Collection)

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The surviving Propeller blade and remains of Junkers Jumo 211 motor. (Pat Burgess Collection)

An access panel with instruction label (Achtung). (Pat Burgess Collection)

Small makers labels found on the dig. (Pat Burgess Collection)

Burial detail: Peter May West Thorney, Sussex.

Heinrich Liebermann Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffs, England. Block 1 Grave 74.

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless. Special thanks to the late Pat Burgess for material from his archive and not forgetting Nigel Parker. March 2015