Crashed bomber became a spot for eager sightseers
Historian Malcolm Goode looks back at events 80 years ago in June 1941 - the month when a German bomber was shot down over Burton.
THE invasion of Russia by German forces at the end of June 1941 was a pivotal moment during the Second World War.
As one battle ended for soldiers on all sides in Crete, another was about to unfold.
On June 2, 1941, the fighting in Crete came to an end, the Allies had lost a total of 16,500 men of all three services which included Australians and New Zealanders.
The Germans were estimated to have lost more than 6,000 men, Many of these were highly trained paratroopers who were intended for operation Babarossa – the invasion of Russia.
This was to cause Hitler problems in the weeks and months ahead.
On June 17, Adolf Hitler finally gave orders for the invasion of the Soviet Union.
Operation Barbarossa was set to begin in the early hours of June 22.
Hitler had an extreme hatred of the Slav people and the communist rule. His aims and objectives were to enslave the “inferior” Slav peoples, exploit their resources and occupy their lands as part of his Lebensraum (“living space”) policy for the Aryan (German) race.
The invasion of Russia finally got under way as planned on June 22, which came as a complete surprise to everyone.
The Germans had gathered a huge army of three million men, 3,000 tanks, 7,000 large pieces of artillery and approximately 2,500 aeroplanes.
The Wermacht poured east from Poland and other occupied counties, driving the Russians back with great ease. Although Joseph Stalin had raised a bigger army, unfortunately their equipment, with the exception of their tanks, was not nearly as good as that of the Germans.
Three German army groups began the invasion of the USSR, their commanders were Generals Leeb, von Runstedt and Bock, all of whom had gained valuable experience leading the Blitzkrieg to victory over France in June 1940.
However, almost to the surprise of the Germans, the Russians fought fiercely to defend their homeland causing many casualties to the invading forces.
As they retreated the Russian troops developed a “scorched earth” policy burning houses and fields of crops so as to leave nothing of any use to the Germans.
As was to be the case all the way through until May 1945, many atrocities were carried out. The Germans killed Russian civilians as well as soldiers. Both sides ignored the Geneva Convention rules and shot prisoners both military and civilian.
At the end of the month a photograph of a plane wreck appeared in the Burton Observer newspaper but as was the requirement under Defence of the Realm Act, the editors of the day were not allowed to give any details as to its whereabouts.
Today, 80 years on, we are able to say that this particular aircraft was with a number of other Heinkel 111 Bombers on a bombing mission to Liverpool when it was shot down by a British Bristol Beaufighter of 25 Squadron.
The Heinkel was abandoned by its crew of four, and it crashed at Lullington near Burton.
One member of the crew was killed when his parachute failed to open, the other three members survived but were injured and taken prisoners of war.
The Remains of the crashed aircraft proved to be quite an attraction for sightseers.
ROLL OF HONOUR NEAL, STANLEY ARTHUR:
Private, 1st Regiment Reconnaissance Corps died on June 1, 1941. Son of Sydney and Florence Harriett Neal, of Leicester Street, Burton. A verdict of suicide while his mind was temporarily deranged, was recorded. WADDELL, TOM RONALDSON: Private, New Zealand Infantry. Died on June 2, aged 25. Son of Dr Thomas Mayne Ried Waddell and Ethel Waddell (née Ronaldson).
Listed on the Burton Boys Grammar School War Memorial.
MORRIS, GEORGE AUBREY:
Private, South Staffordshire Regiment, died on June 9, age 26. Son of Harriett Morris and the late John Morris of Dale Street, Burton. George died in a Military Hospital after a long illness.
MORRIS, EDWARD GIBSON: Bombardier, 33 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, died on June 12, aged 34. Second son of Mr and Mrs Morris of Sydney Street, Burton. Edward Morris died as a result of a road accident. He left a wife and one child.
DUGAN, JOHN FREDERICK: Private, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, died on June 13, age 19. Son of Frederick and Ivy Dugan of Manor Road, Stapenhill. Private Dugan was killed in a motor cycle accident in Haverford West, Pembrokeshire, his role with the RAOC was as a motorcycle tester. PHELPS, JOSEPH WILLIAM HOWELL: Sergeant. 21 Squadron, RAFVR. Killed in action on June 16 aged 20. Only son of Mr and Mrs Phelps of Eldon Street, Winshill.