6 Group Unavailable
The outbound flight took AE300 across the North Sea, north of the island of Sylt, across Jylland and south over the Baltic to Rostock where the target was the U-boat pens.
Altitude was about 16.000 ft with a thin layer of clouds with gaps through which the crew could see the coastline and finally the target below.
After attacking the target the crew resumed their homeward journey heading north over the Baltic. The flight was beautiful with a bright moon. About 10-15 minutes after leaving the target area Wireless operator/ Mid upper gunner Philson noticed something that required his attention. With the captains permission he unplugged his intercom and temporary left his position. After about 30 seconds he returned to his position just in time to hear the Under gunner reporting an unidentified aircraft on a converging course beneath AE300. The captain changed course a few degrees and lost about 500 ft but that was too little, too late. Suddenly there was a explosion on the starboard wing and EA300 dived going down from 16000 ft to 6000 ft. AE300 continued in a westerly direction away from the scene of the attack to avoid a follow-up. When the captain finally leveled out and the crew took stock of the situation it became obvious that they could not reach England. The starboard engine was dead and they were losing fuel from the starboard wing tanks. Fortunately there was no fire. As they could not reach England and would not be able to take evasive action in case of yet another attack also heading for Sweden was ruled out.
In the meantime Philson had been sending ?SOS? and telling base that the starboard engine was out. Their position was plotted to a position 50 miles off the island of Sylt. It was decided to return to Denmark and abandon the aircraft.
The first to leave the aircraft was Sgt. Davies followed by Sgt. Felson and Sgt. Dunn. The last man to leave was W/O Bannister. At 03:25 AE300 crashed into a field belonging to farmer Herman ?stergaard near Hostrup, 10 miles east north east of Vejle. When the crash was reported to the police a search for the flyers was stated. Apart from the Danish police, German soldiers from the Observation post ?Lottrup? near Gramrode and from FLUKO Vejle under the command of Hauptman Evers and Leutnant Hase took part.AirWar over Denmark
