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13.02.1944 5./KG6 Junkers Ju 88A-4 Wnr.043868 Lt. Ruhland Location: Bogshole, near Whitstable, Kent, England.
Mission: Attack on London, England.

Date: 13
th February 1944

Time: 20.40 hours

Unit: 5 Staffel./Kampfgeschwader 6

Type: Junkers Ju 88A-4

Werke/Nr.043868

Coded: 3E + DC

Location: Burgess Farm, Bogshole, near Whitstable, Kent, England.

Pilot: Leutnant Egon Ruhland 73045/205 – Killed. Born 21.08.1921 in München.

Observer: Obergefreiter. Karl Keim 73045/203 – Killed. Born 13.08.1921 in Wattenscheid.

Radio/Op: Unteroffizier. Eberhard Fichtner 53504/133 - Injured POW. Born 12.08.1920 in Werdau.

Gunner: Unteroffizier. Walter Ortlieb 57331/35 – Killed. Born 02.08.1918 in Stuttgart.

REASON FOR LOSS:


This aircraft was shot down by AA fire, although it was also claimed by a night fighter. The aircraft stalled at low altitude, pancaked and was completely burnt out. Markings: DC in black, outlined in blue. Call sign KG+KJ and works number from log book 088043868 manufactured by Henschel AG, Schonfeld bei Teltow. The camouflage was most unusual as both top and bottom surfaces were the same, namely dark green mottled with a light greenish blue. Engines: Jumo 211. Port MZK 403 KUJ 341, starboard MZM 5076. Armament: dorsal two MG 81, ventral twin MG 81. Equipment: no cable cutter fitted. Lotfe 7c and BZA bomb sights fitted. Radio equipment FuG 10P, FuG 16, E.Bl.3F and FuG 101A.

The sole survivor, the wireless operator bailed out from 1,500 ft. although observer also bailed out but was killed.

According to eye-witness accounts, this aircraft was shot down by A.A.; but in fact it was claimed by a Mosquito night fighter. It crashed and was completely burnt out. The sole survivor, the radio operator, bailed out from 1,500 feet and is now in hospital with serious injuries. Another member of the crew attempted to bail out but was killed, and the remaining two were killed in the crash. Credited to W/C E. D. Crew and Navigator W/O W. R. Croysdill D.F.M.in a Mosquito night fighter of No.96 Squadron at 20.40 hours.

1 Karlcc2 Karl Keim
Obergefreiter Karl Keim killed in action (via G. Keim)


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4
2003 Crash site location at Burgess Farm, near Whitstable, Kent (Brownless).


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Burial details:

Those who were killed now lie at the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffs. Ruhland. Block 1 Grave 407, Keim. Block 1 Grave 408, Ortlieb. Block 1 Grave 409.

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless 2003, with special thanks to Gerhard Keim, updated August 2013.

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