WW2 German plane crashes in St Audries Bay, West Somerset, England,

[Svenja]

Hi

I have just found a Verlustliste of the Kampfgeschwader 2
Source: Der Luftkrieg in Europa, 2 Bände, Balke Ulf, 1998
http://www.denkmalprojekt.org/2017/vl-kampfgeschwader-2_a-e_wk2.html

There are mentionned Bruno Adler, Fritz Bartol and Johann Egger,
who all were missed as nightfighter at Watchet on 01./02.11.1941.
Unfortunately without more personal details like date and place of birth.

Maybe this one is the right Bruno Adler, he is also missed in England in 1941!
http://www.denkmalprojekt.org/2011/duttenbrunn_wk1_wk2_bay.html

He is mentionned on a memorial in Duttenbrunn, Markt Zellingen, Landkreis Main-Spessart, Bavaria.
But it is also mentionned that he was a "Heimatvertriebener", so he was born at another place and his family had to leave their hometown at the end of WWII.

Regards
Svenja

[Rootes75]

Have you looked in the book 'Somerset at War'? I have a copy and I recall it being very thorough on listing details of German aircraft brought down over Somerset. It mentions names if possible and also photos of graves etc, I shall have a look tonight.

[Jo.]

This thread intrigued me, as I know St Audries Bay well.

When considering bombing raids, don't forget ROF just outside of Bridgwater was also a target, you also have Westonzoyland Airfield, so ponder if any planes went out from there.

I also wonder whether the Somerset Lights Infantry, might have a record or two buried in their record collection.  As they may have dealt with the service men once found, as I'm should imagine that they would have been in charge of the Donniford Army Camp Just up the road.

As for Newspaper reports.

You have the Taunton Gazzette which is digitised,
Another Taunton newspaper (which isn't digitised but is on microfilm at the record office)
Also,  Brigwater Mercury which the British Newspaper Archieve have digitised some of

[Rootes75]

The book briefly mentions a Dornier being shot down on Nov 1st over St Audries bay but it doesn't mention much more about it.

[IMBER]

I suggest that you approach the CWGC. Obviously German aircrew do not appear on their online records but they do hold lists of such persons and their records of consideration of movement to Cannock Chase etc may have mention of both known and possible burials and even unresolved cases. Certainly worth a try.

Imber

[Walberman]

I think you will find the aircraft you are interested in was a Dornier 217 from 4/KG2.  It was shot down on1st November 1941 and crashed into St Audries Bay.  I have further details if you would like them.