German JU88 crashes in Bonby 24th July 1941
During the second World War Germany had stationed in the Netherlands squadrons of aircraft including Junkers JU88's . One night in October 1941 and flying from Gilze Rijen and belonging to NJG2 one such aircraft was piloted by Ogfr Heinrich Ladiges . The plane was to engaged in night intruder operations over the UK which took place from October 1940 to the start of 1942. These operations involved intercepting the returning RAF bombers around their own airfields in Eastern England and also disrupting the bomber training flights and schedule. These operations were curtailed in early 1942 by the Germans due to the perceived lack of results and shortage of aircraft and trained night fighter crews.
The JU88 of Ladiges and crew attacked the airfield at Elsham Wolds at low level at around 02.10 on the 24th July 1941 and crashed at Bonby having been hit by either a fellow JU88, (Ju88C of I/NJG2 on a similar intruder operation as it flew across the airfield) or possibly anti-aircraft fire. Either way the aircraft burst into flames and descended over the crest into the Ancholme valley, hit a tree in the grounds of the Bonby village school and crashed in the fields beyond.
The crew of Ju 88 C-4 0854 R4+LM was as follows and all were killed.
Flugzeugführer/Pilot - Ogfr Heinrich Ladiges,
Bordfunker/Radio Operator - Ogfr Friedrich Heinemann
Bordschütze/ Air Gunner - Fw Josef Beblo
All rest at the German Military Cemetery at Cannock Chase.
Over the years that followed the aircraft has had pieces removed, pictures below show an excavation.
