The crash of this Bernberg built Junkers Ju88 aircraft occurred near Whitby on Hutton Mulgrave Moor on 4th June 1941 at 00.30hrs when it flew into the moor whilst intending to intercept British bombers returning from operations, it was believed that bad visibility was the cause of the crash with the aircraft simply not flying high enough at the time. All three of the crew died when their aircraft disintergrated on impact with the ground on Hutton Mulgrave Moor but the wreckage did not catch fire. Bill Normans "Broken Eagles" book gives the full story and I do not wish to copy his work. Police records state that two airmen died in the impact and the other was was badly injured, the latter died soon after at 07.00hrs. A bomb from this aircraft was released seconds before impact with the moor and it caused damage to nearby Kitter Green farm. The crater is still said to be partly visible today. Various documents were recovered from the wreckage detailing the crews activities over the previous months. Various maps were also found as were code tables.
A log-book belonging to one of the crew was also found, the crew had destroyed at least four aircraft on the ground at Middleton Sands, shot at a Wellington and shot down another four un-named bomber aircraft (there is no listing for any enemy action losses in W R Chorley's Bomber Command Losses book on these nights for this aircraft however). The W/T training log book was also recovered from the wreckage. On 8th April 1941 the pilot made claims in shooting down a Hereford and a Hudson near Wells-next-Sea, on 3rd May 1941 a Hereford near Church Fenton. There was however no loss near Church Fenton down to enemy action on this night, he must have been mistaken about the aircraft type and location.
Pilot - Lt Johannes Feuerbaum (Luftwaffe). Aged 24. Buried Thornaby on Tees Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Wireless Operator - Gefr Gerhard Denzin (Luftwaffe). Aged 31. Buried Thornaby on Tees Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Air Gunner - Gefr Rudolf Peters (Luftwaffe). Aged 19. Buried Thornaby on Tees Cemetery, Yorkshire.
The three airmen's headstones at Thornaby on Tees Cemetery.
In the years following the crash following deep ploughing was undertaken and woodland was planted across the site. Whilst this was being done the larger sections of remaining wreckage were taken from the site, propped up against existing trees and used for shooting practice. I have searched the woodland for signs of this aircraft but have not located anything to date. Hutton Mulgrave Moor now forms part of the Skelder Plantation.