REASON FOR LOSS:

On the morning of the 6th September 1939 aircrew of 1./ZG1 were detailed to fly an escort mission for Ju 87 "Stukas".

The German aircraft came under attack from Polish P.11c fighters and during this combat Major. Hammes Bf110 recieved hits and was seen to go down in a shallow glide. Although effecting a good belly landing Major. Hammes died of wounds sustained and was originally laid to rest in a field grave next to his aircraft. Radio operator Ofw. Steffen was also wounded and taken into captivity by the Poles, returning to Germany when the Polish campaign was concluded.

Major. Hammes Bf 110 pictured in relatively good condition after the landing,

Another view of the cockpit area (Archive)

The original field grave of Major. Karl Hammes (Vasco).

Burial details:

None found on German (VDK) website.

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless A.R. Society with thanks to John Vasco, July 2012.

The British Library is preserving this site for the future in the UK Web Archive at www.webarchive.org.uk All Aircrew Remembered on our Remembrance pages, are therefor not just remembered here, but also subsequently remembered and recorded as part of our nation’s history
and heritage at The British Library.