AA32520 Junkers Ju87B-1 Stuka - Uffz Pittroff and Uffz Scubert (Battle of Britain 85)

During the late afternoon of 8th August 1940, more than 80 Ju87 Stukas and their fighter protection left their bases in Northern France to make one final attack of the day against the British Convoy CW9 ‘Peewit’ off the south coast of the Isle of Wight. The area had been attacked mercilessly by German naval and air forces since the early hours. 

Each Luftwaffe raid was met by strong opposition from the Royal Air Force, and this third raid was no exception. As Ju87 Stuka S2+LM was about to launch its diving attack, it suffered engine failure, causing the aircraft to immediately lose height. 

At the same time, a Hawker Hurricane from No.145 Squadron attacked the aircraft, with a short, well-aimed burst from the fighter, killing the rear gunner and severing fuel lines, ensuring the pilot had to immediately look for a suitable place to set the stricken aircraft down. Landing in a field at St Lawrence, just inland from the sea, the aircraft came to rest in a wooded area, but remained relatively intact, incredibly, with its full complement of bombs still in place. 

Significant as one of the Stukas which took part in the devastating raids against Convoy CW9 ‘Peewit’ in the English Channel, this particular aircraft was also the first intact Stuka to fall into British hands, and was immediately prepared for transportation to the mainland for evaluation.