German – Junkers JU88 – 4D + CH

This Junkers JU88 had to make an emergency landing at Yaverland, which is close to Sandown, on July 24, 1941. The crew, headed by Lt. W. Deiderich, was returning from a raid over Birkenhead when it became disoriented as a result of the RAF’s effective jamming of the returning homing beacons. Because they apparently mistook the Solent for the English Channel, they then proceeded to fly in circles for a number of hours until finally landing in Yaverland.

After touching down, the crew secured the aircraft’s internal charges and then exited the cabin. As they disembarked from the plane, once they understood their error, they issued warnings to the inhabitants of the area in English to stay away from the area. After a few minutes, it detonated, and minutes after that, the blaze completely consumed the aircraft, turning it into a heap of charred remains.

Note: Images of the aircraft displayed reflect the type of aircraft and are not those of the specific.

• http://www.luftwaffephotos.com

• http://www.luftwaffephotos.com
• All images are of similar aircraft and not the specific plane in question.
• Wight Air Wrecks – A T Gilliam ISBN 0-7524-2376-2
• Battle in the Skies – H J Leal (IWCP)