Crash of a Heinkel He.111P in Newport: 5 killed
Date & Time:
Sep 13, 1940 at 0315 LT
Operator:
Registration:
1G+DS
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rennes - Rennes
MSN:
2670
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Rennes to bomb dockyards at Bristol, Plymouth, Merseyside, Swansea and Cardiff. While cruising at night, the airplane collided with the cable of a barrage balloon and crashed onto a house located 32 Stow Park Avenue in Newport. Three crew members were killed and a fourth was injured. Two children in the house were also killed.
Crew:
Oblt Harry Wappler, pilot,
Uffz Fritz Berndt, navigator, †
Obfw Johannes Elster, wireless operator and air gunner, †
Uffz Herbert Okulock, bomb aimer. †
Those killed on the ground were:
Malcom Phillips,
Myrtle Phillips.
Crew:
Oblt Harry Wappler, pilot,
Uffz Fritz Berndt, navigator, †
Obfw Johannes Elster, wireless operator and air gunner, †
Uffz Herbert Okulock, bomb aimer. †
Those killed on the ground were:
Malcom Phillips,
Myrtle Phillips.
Probable cause:
In-flight collision with the cable of a barrage balloon.
