A rare small crash relic from Junkers Ju 88A-1, Werk Nr. 3168 of Kampfgeschwader 77, which crashed at Pitsea Marshes, near Basildon, Essex.

Reason for Loss:

Date: 17:40hrs, 18th September 1940
Unit: 9./KG 77
Type: Junkers Ju 88A-1
Werke/Nr: 3168
Coded: "3Z + FT"
Crew: Fw. O. Wahl, Fw. O. Graf, Gefr. H. Buschbeck and Gefr. P. Lesker
Location: Vange Creek, Pitsea Marshes, near Basildon, Essex.

Junkers Ju 88A-1 W.Nr. 3168 of 9./KG 77 took part in a large Luftwaffe raid on 18 September 1940, during which Ju 88s of III./KG 77 attacked targets in the Thames Estuary and London rail infrastructure. During the return engagement, the aircraft was intercepted and shot down by Hurricanes of No. 310 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF. The damaged bomber was seen circling at very low altitude over the Benfleet and Vange area before crashing at Vange Creek on Pitsea Marshes at approximately 17:40 hrs. Fw. O. Wahl, Gefr. H. Buschbeck and Gefr. P. Lesker were killed, while Fw. O. Graf successfully baled out and was taken prisoner.

The piece even has more of the original paint still present on it. 

The dimension of the panel measures approx. 11 x 14 cm.