Ju88 4D+?M near Barmston, Bridlington.
On 15th August 1940 many Luftwaffe aircraft were in the process of attacking Driffield airfield when
this aeroplane was shot down by a Hurricane pilot and crashed near Auburn Farm, close to the cliff top near
Fraisthorpe to the south of Bridlington. Although it contains a number of incorrect assumptions a
witnesses account for this incident has been located in the Civil Defence File for the Bridlington area.
A Mr Smith, of Auburn Farm, Fraisthorpe was quoted in the report "On 15th August 1940, at about 1 pm.
one aircraft with two engines came in low over the farm. It was shot at by a single "Spitfire" which gave a quick burst then
flew off towards Barmston over the sea. The bomber seemed to gain height in a starboard turn and black
smoke issued from both engines. He turned and headed for the farm. He turned to starboard and dived into
the ground. The wreckage was scattered over the other side of Earl's Dyke. One engine went into the next
field. The crash was in a cornfield. All the crew were killed."
Further research has found that one of the crew, the wireless operator, had attempted to bale out at low level
but his parachute caught in the tail of the aircraft and he was dragged down and killed when the aircraft crashed.
The other three crew were believed to have been still inside the aircraft when it struck the ground. The resulting
explosion killed all three instantly and it was only after careful investigation that their remains were located.
Only the observers body was identified from these three airmen and all three were buried in separate graves in
Bridlington Cemetery with that of another Luftwaffe airman killed on this date. After the War their remains were
taken to the large German cemetery at Cannock Chase however the pilot was then identified and buried under
his correct name. The fourth member of the crew's body was never identified and he is technically recorded
as missing. His remains must also have been taken to Cannock Chase but they are not buried with the other
three members of his crew.
Pilot - Fw Rudolf Bihr. Initially buried Bridlington cemetery, now buried Cannock Chase Cemetery, Staffordshire.
Observer - Fw Robert Pohl (62748-15). Initially buried Bridlington cemetery, now buried Cannock Chase Cemetery, Staffordshire.
Wireless Operator - Uffz Severin Kursch (62748-23). Listed as "Hursch" in burial index. Initially buried Bridlington cemetery, now buried Cannock Chase Cemetery, Staffordshire.
Gunner - Uffz Arnulf Neumeyer. "Recorded as Missing". Initially buried Bridlington cemetery as unidentified, now buried Cannock Chase Cemetery, Staffordshire.
The graves of the four airmen killed in this incident.
Air historians Albert Pritchard, Eric Barton and Ken Reast located small fragments on the surface at the crash site in 2003 with permission from the landowner, confirming the crash location. The item shown in the photograph above shows a fragment retained by Eric after his visit, personally I don't think that this one fragment alone confirms the site location but as I do not know what else was found who am I to argue.
P/O Donald Scott was awarded the DFC for services in the Battle of Britain, Gazetted on 24th September
1940 the citation reads.."Pilot Officer Scott has destroyed five enemy aircraft and severely damaged three others.
He has flown with his squadron continuously over a considerable period and has displayed great gallantry at all times."
He was also Mentioned in Despatches on 1st January 1941. Having risen through the ranks to S/Ldr (temporary) on 1st
January 1944 he served in North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. He survived the War and returned home to his
native Dumbarton and worked for the sewing machine company Singer before retiring. He died in February 2002.
This Junkers Ju88 was shot down by P/O Donald S Scott RAF (40569) flying a 73 Squadron Hurricane;
not a Spitfire as the witness believed, as quoted above. His name is also incorrectly quoted as being
"Sgt Douglas Scott" in some modern publications.