Archive Report: Axis Forces 1914-1918 1935-1945
Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources,
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02.09.1940 Stab II./ZG 76 Bf110C M8+DM 3226 Oblt. Karl Wrede
Operation: Escort
Date: 02nd September 1940 (Monday)
Unit: No. Stab II./ZG 76
Type: BF110C
Werke No: 3226
Code: MB+DM
Location: Frith Farm, Billericay, Essex
Pilot: Oblt. Karl Wrede Age 25. Killed
W/Op/Air Gnr: Uffz. Richard Kukawka Age 24. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
There were Luftwaffe raids on both the morning and afternoon on this day. The morning raids targeted various RAF airfields. The afternoon raids were directed at the London dock area.
However none of the Squadron reports or Battle of Britain Historical sites mentions this occurrence. It leads to conjecture that this Bf110 was not shot down by aircraft but possibly it was hit by Anti-Aircraft guns. Frequently AA gun sites could not identify where an aircraft crashed.
Burial details:
Oblt. Karl Wrede. Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery. Plot 1. Row 10. Grave 371. Born on 02nd May 1915.
Uffz. Richard Kukawka. Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery. Plot 1. Row 10. Grave 373. Born on 11th February 1916 (see Kracker Luftwaffe Archive on this site)
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Eric Lamb and the Basildon Heritage and Museum Group for information and photographs.
Acknowledgements:
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include:
Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
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