A tired old Soldier…

[alanint]

I'm guessing a backyard garden or shed..

[ieyres]

Hi all, thanks for that – please keep it coming ...

I was wondering what that cut in the frame was. Is the Circle S mark proof of a rework of some sort?

A shadow box is on the plan, I have an old 1940's Dinky toy to go in there as well (see picture)

Anyway as promised, here’s the story – lots of blanks, but I’m still researching & have yet to talk to a couple of the people involved……


Rewind back to 1940, France has fallen and The Battle of Britain is at its height, The Luftwaffe is now targeting British fighter stations in its attempt to clear the skies for the planned invasion. Messerschmitt 110 heavy fighters from the 1 Staffel / Zerstoerergeschwader 2 take off from their base in France to escort bombers to an attack on RAF North Weald……..

“German Aircraft loss reported for 2 German Messerschmitt Bf 110's collided at 10.50 on Tuesday 3rd September 1940, both from 1 Staffel / Zerstoerergeschwader 2

BF 110C-4 (2065) Code 3M+EK flown by Fw. Wagenbrett - crashed at Hobbs Cross, Harlow, Essex
BF110C-4 (2133) Code 3M+HL flown by Oblt. Mueller - crashed at Rye Hill, Essex ”
The aircraft were involved with one of the largest attacks on North Weald Fighter station during the Battle of Britain.

source book: The Battle of Britain than and now

Oblt. Mueller bailed out and survived the collision, but the remaining 3 aircrew involved perished. A picture of Mueller’s crashed 110 is visible on the web site listed below. Unfortunately I have not yet found a picture of 3M+EK

http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety...9/mueller.html

This Luger was one of a pair “liberated” from the Wagenbrett / Schubert crash by one of the first people to arrive on the scene, presumably for possible use in the event of the threatened invasion. Interfering with a crash sight was illegal with the authorities at that time, so the pair of guns were buried in his back garden and over time forgotten about.
Many years later (approximately 2005) they were found by the relative of the guy that originally removed them.
He decided to pass them on to a registered firearms dealer & after UK deactivation and a long story one of them has ended up with me.
I believe when it was first sold it had the remnants of the grips and the magazine, however since 2005 these have disappeared. There are still some holes that need to be filled in on the story

I live in Essex, not far from North Weald airfield and have always had a fascination with the Battle of Britain. This Luger to me is a very strong reminder of the enormous struggle that occurred in our skies during those days.

Every time I look at it I can’t help but feel respect and a degree of sadness for all the people on both sides who gave their lives in the conflict.

September the 3rd 2010 is the 70th anniversary of this small event in history, it would be right to pay my respects in someway either at the grave side if they can be found, or at the sight of the crash.

Hope that’s of interest to some people, one of the few advantages of living in the crowded south east of England is that WW2 history is very accessible here.

Thanks again for what ever info you can give.

[ieyres]

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[Norme]

Hi Iain, Great story! You're quite right, the circle S is believed to be a police rework mark. I still have memories of the "Battle of Britain" and the sounds of VI rockets some time later, as a small boy growing up in London. Regards, Norm