Can anyone supply any information on either of these aircraft coming down on the beach at Minnis Bay (near Birchington) in Kent during WW2?
Air Historian John Williams did mention that a Heinkel came down here and was recovered at the time but I cannot get hold of him – the phone number I have for him doesn’t work anymore.
By: Whitley_Project - 27th August 2013 at 12:48
Thanks Ross
By: Ross_McNeill - 26th August 2013 at 18:59
Hudson T9382, No.206 Sqn Took off RAF Bircham Newton at 17:25 hrs on 16th Nov 1940
F/L B O Dias
P/O M K Warren
Sgt Chufield
Sgt V C D Hayward
When over the target a shell hit one engine. F/L Dias jettisoned the bombs and turned for home. The crew tried to make for Manston but the other engine failed and the Hudson was forced landed in the sea, 20:15 hrs, at Birchington, Kent. The airmen waded ashore with only Sgt Hayward sustaining a sprained ankle and catching a chill.
Regards
Ross
By: Whitley_Project - 26th August 2013 at 16:59
Hi Ross – the aircraft looks American. Could you give me the details of the Hudson please? This fits with some of the parts found…
By: Peter D Evans - 12th May 2013 at 11:53
Some additional details I have with regards the He111:
Cheers
Pete
By: Ross_McNeill - 12th May 2013 at 09:35
In that case it’s neither the Blenheim or Heinkel I’ve listed as these were off shore. Only the Hudson was in the surf line.
Heinkel Werk No.2632
SEPTEMBER 5TH. – MARGATE, KENT.
At about 3.30 P.M. a telephone message was received from the coastguard that an aeroplane had crashed into the sea about two hundred yards west of the Hook Beacon. A light S.S.E. wind was blowing, with a smooth sea. The motor life-boat J. B. Proudfoot, on temporary duty at the station, left at 3.35 P.M. The honorary secretary, Mr. A. C. Robinson, was on board. She found the wreckage of a German aeroplane, and brought it ashore for identification. – Rewards, £5 12s. 6d.
HERNE BAY, KENT.
At 3.30 in the afternoon of the 5th September, 1940, an aeroplane which was being chased by British aircraft was seen to crash 200 yards west of Margate Hook Beacon. The weather was fair. Three men went out in a motor boat, but only found oil coming to the surface. Margate life-boat also went out and picked up some wreckage. – Rewards, £1 2s. 6d. And 2s. 6d. For fuel used.
Blenheim L8679
“Aug 10th – Margate, Kent.
Just after midnight the officer in charge of troops on the jetty informed the coxswain that he could hear calls for help from the water. The night was very dark. An air raid was in progress and bombs were falling. The coxswain at once mustered his crew and the motor lifeboat ‘J B Proudfoot’ on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 00:25 am. Half a mile off shore the lifeboat found a British pilot who was nearing collapse, but was kept afloat by his lifebelt. She picked him up, and he was given rum and every attention. The lifeboat landed him at 00:45 am and put out for another search. She found nothing and was rehoused at 01:30 am.
Rewards: £11 5s.”
(Source RNLI Records of Service 1939-46)
Ross
By: Whitley_Project - 11th May 2013 at 23:56
Thanks Ross
As far as I know the Heinkel and Blenhein came down on the beach itself. Do you know which blenheim it was?
Thanks in advance
By: Ross_McNeill - 10th May 2013 at 21:10
Hi Elliot,
I’ve a Hudson at Birchington where the crew waded ashore and a Blenheim off Westgate where one crewman was rescued by RNLI and the other made it ashore unaided.
Either of these fit what you are looking for?
As for the Heinkel then it was possibly the Heinkel He 111H-2 from 7./KG53 that crashed just west of Margate Hook Beacon.
Ross
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May 10, 2013 at 8:06 pm