Mission: Attack on London, England.
Date: 23rd February 1944
Time: 00.30 hours.
Unit: 14 Staffel./Kampfgeschwader 2
Type: Messerschmitt Me 410A
Werke/Nr.420463
Coded: U5 + CE (C in black outlined white)
Location: Bentley Farm, Framfield near Uckfield, Sussex, England.
Pilot: Unteroffizier. Reinhard Eggers 62720/57 – Killed.
Born 20.08.1923 in Hamburg.
Radio/Op: Obergefreiter. Stefan Bednorz 62720/58 – Killed.
Born 11.12.1922 in Hindenburg.
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft was shot down in combat by S/Ldr Caldwell and F/O Rawling in a Mosquito of No.96 Squadron. This was one of four aircraft, which was flying about 23,000 ft. on a NW course when it was attacked by a night-fighter and set on fire. The aircraft went into a steep dive and exploded on impact with the ground, wreckage was scattered over a wide area and only fragments of papers were found.
Extract from Sussex Police Report Ref. CA.3/44/81
(Detail of Occurrence);
This plane was attacked by a night fighter and was seen falling in flames. When it crashed, the bombs on board exploded, throwing portions of wreckage and pieces of the bodies of the airmen nearly 300 yards away. Only small portions of bodies were found (Sufficient to fill a sack quarter full). A military Medical Officer examined the hands and feet which were found and said without question they were from two different bodies. Also portions of two mens identity cards were found. The two occupants were – Uffz. Reinhard Eggers and Ogfr. Stefan Bednorz.
F/Lt Hunt, Tangmere, conducted an enquiry and gave me the information regarding the identity of the plane and occupants. The Home Guard established a guard on the plane until they were relieved by the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.
Signed; W Simpson – Sgt.34
Combat Report of Squadron Leader Caldwell...
Date: 23rd February 1944
Time: 00.30 hours.
Unit: 14 Staffel./Kampfgeschwader 2
Type: Messerschmitt Me 410A
Werke/Nr.420463
Coded: U5 + CE (C in black outlined white)
Location: Bentley Farm, Framfield near Uckfield, Sussex, England.
Pilot: Unteroffizier. Reinhard Eggers 62720/57 – Killed.
Born 20.08.1923 in Hamburg.
Radio/Op: Obergefreiter. Stefan Bednorz 62720/58 – Killed.
Born 11.12.1922 in Hindenburg.
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft was shot down in combat by S/Ldr Caldwell and F/O Rawling in a Mosquito of No.96 Squadron. This was one of four aircraft, which was flying about 23,000 ft. on a NW course when it was attacked by a night-fighter and set on fire. The aircraft went into a steep dive and exploded on impact with the ground, wreckage was scattered over a wide area and only fragments of papers were found.
Extract from Sussex Police Report Ref. CA.3/44/81
(Detail of Occurrence);
This plane was attacked by a night fighter and was seen falling in flames. When it crashed, the bombs on board exploded, throwing portions of wreckage and pieces of the bodies of the airmen nearly 300 yards away. Only small portions of bodies were found (Sufficient to fill a sack quarter full). A military Medical Officer examined the hands and feet which were found and said without question they were from two different bodies. Also portions of two mens identity cards were found. The two occupants were – Uffz. Reinhard Eggers and Ogfr. Stefan Bednorz.
F/Lt Hunt, Tangmere, conducted an enquiry and gave me the information regarding the identity of the plane and occupants. The Home Guard established a guard on the plane until they were relieved by the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.
Signed; W Simpson – Sgt.34
Combat Report of Squadron Leader Caldwell...
Examining the wreckage left in the impact crater (via Parry)
Burial Detail: Both crew members now rest together in a joint grave at the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase. Block 9 Row 8 Grave 45
Researched & compiled by Melvin Brownless with special thanks to Simon Parry (Updated May 2013).
