Messerschmitt Me 410F 6./KG51 (9K+GP) which was being flown by Lt Wolfgang Wenning over England on an intruder mission when on the early morning of April 27th 1944 it was involved in a mid-air accident with a British transport Airspeed Oxford of 18 AFU. Both aircraft crashed near Frankton, Nr. Rugby England.

Profile 00: This profile is of a Messerschmitt Me 410F Hornisse belonging to 6./KG51 coded (9K+ZP) and was stationed Western Europe 1944 and was flown by Lt Wenning when it crashed in England after a mid-air collision with a British transport Airspeed Oxford.

The impact point of the Me 410 is shown to the south of Frankton, Warwickshire while to the north the Oxford disintegrated over a field.

Hi Matthew,
I have attached an image showing the markings of Halifax LK789.

Also the graves of Lt Wolfgang Wenning and Fw Gustav Delp (bordfunker) at the German wargraves cemetery,Cannock Staffordshire.

The attack of Halifax LK789 took place over Ely, Cambridgshire at 0420hrs, height 1.000 m.

The following extract is taken from the book " TO SEE THE DAWN BREAKING BY W.R CHORLEY" (Page 145).

'Later as the mainforce recrossed the English coast,enemy intruder aircraft intercepted the bomber stream. Carl Larsen saw the end of one bomber; ‘We had our navigation lights on and had just broke open the coffee flasks for some welcome refreshment when tracer fire passed in front of my aircraft and entered the bomber flying on my left hand side. I immediately shouted to my gunners to be on their guard and switched off my lights pretty quickly. The bomber that had been hit was on fire and I watched it go all the way down in a curve to crash near Peterborough.’ Carl Larsen had undoubtedly witnessed the end of a squadron colleague, Pilot Officer Dibbins. Only the rear-gunner, Flight Sergeant Anderson, survived and he was found in a badly wounded state'

Note: crash site later confirmed near Welney, not Peterborough (Mike).

Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 7:29 PM
To: info@asisbiz.com
Subject: RE: Me410 KG51

thanks Matthew,
Great images, could you do me a favour and send one with black spinners?

My interest with KG51 first started after researching the crew of
Halifax
LK789 of 76 Squadron shot down by Lt Wenning 25/4/44. My uncle Sgt N M Harrison was among the crew killed. I have sent the details to the website below. Two nights later Lt Wenning's aircraft 9K+ZP collided with an Oxford over Rugby.

http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com/raf1944/dibbins.html
http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com/raf1944/moore.html

Mike.

AS Me 410A KG51.6 (9K+ZP) 1944

Asisbiz I used a skin from Immel and made this one.

SECRET

CRASHED ENEMY AIRCRAFT
Report Serial No. 236 dated 4th May 1944
Report No. 0/130 - Me 410
At 04.30 hours on 27th April a Me 410 on Intruder operations crashed at Manor Farm, Frankton, Nr. Rugby after being in collision with an Airspeed Oxford. This aircraft is of interest, being the first of the sub-type "F" to crash in this country. The principal difference between this aircraft and other Me 410's examined is an, increase in armament, 4 x MG 151/20 mm, being installed in the nose instead of the usual two.

Identification Markings: 9K + Z? ("Z" in black outlined yellow).
On the base of the tail-fin 42 was painted in black and below this on the fuselarge, 750 in black on a white background.

Camouflage: Blue-grey on the top surfaces, spray-painted black on the undersurfaces.

Armament: Nose: ( 4 x MG151 20 mm. ( 2 x MG 17 7.9 mm. calibre Barbettes: 2 x MG 131 13 mm. calibre

The two, extra MG 151's were mounted in the bomb bay.

Internal Equipment and special points: The radio identified was FuG 10 P, FuG 16, FuBl 2, FuG 25 A and FuG 101 A.
Since the aircraft was operating on a free-lance Intruder patrol it is not obvious why the FuG 25 A was carried.
All the instruments were destroyed.
Two 66 gallon external drop tanks were carried, this being the first occasion on which extra tanks have been seen on a Me 410.
They were carried on special mountings fitted with 'an explosive charge for shearing the single retaining bolt, this being the only method of dropping the tank. On fighter-bombers, such as the Fw 190, the extra tanks are carried. on mountings similar to bomb carriers, from which they can be released mechanically.
Crew: Two, both dead in wreckage.

Hi,
I am researching the career of Lt Wenning an intruder pilot with KG51. I wondered if anyone could help me with a profile of his aircraft, coded 9K+ZP

I understand the aircraft letter 'Z' was black with a yellow outline. I can send the crash report with more detail.
Many thanks,
Mike Harrison

I have attached a map showing the crash site of 9K+ZP and the Oxford of 18 AFU.

Matthew - the uploaded screen shots are jaw dropping.

A bit more info below:-

Claims of Lt Wolfgang Wenning Stab II./KG51
note: Fw Gustav Delp(AG)credited for claim 20.4.44

12.04.44 Fortress II N.Ipswich 300m 00.42 B-17G 42-97556
19.04.44 Halifax N.W Hull England 03.47 115 Sqd Halifax LL867
20.04.44 P-47 N Cambridge 05.10 7(P)AFU Magister II
22.04.44 Halifax Sea 1-10km W-S. Southwold 22.05 B25-unidentified
25.04.44 Halifax 20km N.E Cambridge 1.000m 04.22 76 Sqd Halifax LK789

The link below shows a sample from Theo Boitens book NJWD Vol-2

www.redkitebooks.co.uk/aa/twelveoclockhighNJWDsample3.pdf

Mike.