Help Please – Dornier 17 shot down at RAF Hawarden

Thanks Dean,

An interesting story. I am still unsure if this is the same incident that Bill Wells witnessed. I have typed out what he wrote in 1982 now, which I’ll paste below. Also when I interviewed him last year he told me the story personally. I haven’t transcribed the tape yet but I recall it being much the same as his written account.

Here’s what Bill wrote:

“That evening proof came that this beautiful machine was also effective and deadly. It was the custom, after flying for the day had finished, to assemble at the tent which was our bar, for a glass of beer and a chat with the instructors. It was the order of the day that two Spitfires should be kept nearby fully armed and at Readiness during all daylight hours. It was not yet dark and there was a low cloud base at some 1,500 feet, I suppose. Suddenly while we were looking out of the tent, there was a loud burst of heavy machine gun fire and we saw that a Dornier 17 had slipped out of the cloud, apparently without noticing us, and was machine gunning certain factories, which stood at the far side of the airfield.

In a flash the Duty Instructor practically jumped into the nearest Spitfire and within seconds it seemed, was roaring across our grass airfield, without regard for wind direction, straight towards the Dornier, which was just starting a second attack. The latter obviously never knew what hit him, because the Spitfire was still climbing towards him, firing as it came. We could all see the flashing of the de Wilde incendiary ammunition striking the Dornier and its near engine, which almost at once burst into flames. Within two or three minutes the enemy aircraft had crashed just off the airfield and the Spitfire was taxiing back to its Readiness position.

I need hardly say that there were very hearty cheers for both the pilot and the Spitfire, and that night we drank rather more beer than we usually did. It seemed a very good end to a splendid day, and one which I have never forgotten.”

It is indeed mentioned in “Spirit of the Blue”. I won’t type it all out but just mention the salient points.

It occurred at approx. 1930 hrs, weather good, 14/08/40.

Peter Ayerst, Hallings-Pott (sp?) & McLean all heard explosions and saw an (only one) aircraft “5 miles away”. The bombs were being dropped on the training school at RAF Sealand. All 3 scrambled (the aircraft were just being put away for the day).

Heinkel He111 was spotted at 2000′ over Sealand, about to start a second run. Hollings-Pott & Mclean attacked and scored minor hits. Peter attacked and must have hit engines as it rapidly lost height. Other 2 Spits returned home, Peter stayed with Heinkel to watch it crash land. It was witnessed by 16 year-old Syd Lawrence (the band-leader). The aircraft shot past the bottom of Salisbury Street, Shotton at about 9pm, no more than 20′ above the ground pursued by Peter’s spit. Heinkel flew under some pylons, nice wheels up landing and stopped 50yds short of a farmhouse. The 4 crew were made POW’s but had planted detonators which blew up and only the tail and half of the fuselage remained. The next day the 3 Spit pilots and others travelled the 5 miles to view the wreck.

German crew – Fw. Heinrich Rodder (Nav.); Oblt. Artur Wiesemann (pilot); Uffz. Walter Schaum (Flt. Mech.); Uffz. Heinz Kochy (Radio Op.)

All 4 Germans met up with Peter Ayerst in 1988 and the Germans also gave their side of events, confirming the above – target was RAF Sealand, damaged caused to Guardroom, Sgts. Mess; and Airmen’s block. Were part of 3 aircraft formation, other 2 shot down over Devon. They said they didn’t see the Spitfire’s from Hawarden coming – they thought the shadow on the cloud was their own aircraft – D’OH!

From BoB; Then & Now:

“8/KG27 Heinkel He IIIP (2624). Failed to return from reconnaissance sortie NE of Exeter and engagement with fighters. Crashed on Border House Farm near Chester. (lists crew – also has 5th crew member Uffz. Ullman (POW)). Aircraft 1G+FS a write-off.

Site excavated by the Warplane Wreck Investgation Group and some charred and shattered components from the straboard engine unearthed. Some relics subsequently presented to the surviving pilot who was contacted in Hagen, W. Germany”

Interesting to see how Blitz T & N and BoB T & N accounts vary slightly.

I would imagine this could be confirmed easily elsewhere too.

Hope this is of help. If you want more specifics, get back to me.

Oh, BTW, thought this may be of interest to remove any doubt of the aircraft type, here’s a picture of the crash from BoB: Then & Now MkV…..Apolgies that it is a picture of a picture but as you can appreciate, fitting the book on my scanner would be rather tricky!

Dean

Thanks guys. Hmm, so no Dornier. The piece I have was written by Bill in 1982 so 42 years may have blurred the memory I guess.

I don’t think it can have been the Heinkel because the plane didn’t attack the airfield. Bill wrote that it was attacking nearby factories, and he remarks the bomber pilot must have been unaware that the Spitfire was even coming.

The Spitfire was indeed from their ‘unofficial Battle Flight’ I guess as he wrote that two No 7 OTU Spits were kept armed and ready for action on the airfield at all times during daylight hours.

If only I knew the dates that Bill was at Hawarden, but alas he somehow lost his logbook. He went from there to 266 Sqn at Wittering, and a few weeks later to 41 Sqn at Hornchurch, and he was active during the Battle of Britain with 41 Sqn, so does anyone know the dates he joined these squadrons perhaps?

Thanks again.
Dave

From ‘The Blitz, then & now, vol one’.

14th August 1940

‘8/KG27 Heinkel He111P (2624) Intercepted by Hurricanes of No 213 squadron during sortie to attack Hawarden airfield. Also engaged by Spitfires of No 7 OTU, and shot down by Wing Commander J Hallings-Pot, Squadron Leader J McLean, and Pilot Officer P Ayerst. Force landed at Border House Farm near Chester 9 pm and set alight by crew. Oberlt A Weisemann, Fw H Rodder, Uffz W Schaum, Uffz G Ullmann and Uffz H k Kochy captured unhurt, aircraft 1G+FS a write-off’

Followin this link to a webpage with an interview with Peter Ayerst that you can listen to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/926457.stm The link is on the left hand side of the page about a third down.

It’s probably also worth a look at Peter’s Recent biography ‘Spirit of the Blue’, he’s bound to mention the incident there.

Geoff.

Dave, I don’t know if any of this will help. It’s from Action Stations 3.
7 OTU kept an unofficial “Battle Flight” of 3 permanently armed Spitfires for use by any of the instructors.
14/08/40 He111 shot down and crashed at Saltney.
7/09/40 Ju88 from Buc nr Paris shot down by Sgt L.S. Pilkington DFM (ex 73 Sqn) crashed in Merionethshire, crew captured.
18/09/40 Do215 shot down into the sea off Anglesey.
The book says the Do215 was the last one and it appears those three were the only incidents.