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Airman's Grave

Airman's Grave

Type: Attraction
Location: By the side of the path
On the Trail
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Description

Memorial to a German pilot

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Grid Reference: SU824170 (OS Map)

Facilities and additional information

By the side of the path is a memorial to Hauptmann Joseph Oestermann 1915 - 1940. Oestermann was flying a Ju88 bomber on Alder Tag (Eagle Day - the first day of the Battle of Britain) on 13th August 1940. He was part of Luftwaffe KG 54 (Bomber Group 54). Very early in the morning he was shot down, probably by Pilot Officer Mayers of 601 Sq flying a Hurricane fighter from nearby Tangmere airfield. The other two crew of the Ju88 bailed out and were captured. Hauptmann Oestermann was one of the very first Germans to be killed during Hitler's ultimately unsuccessful attempt to bomb Britain into submission to the Nazis. P/O Mayers himself was shot down by a Bf 110 of ZG2 (Heavy Fighter Group 2) later that day, over the channel. He suffered leg injuries but survived.

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