timobeanie
Recruit
- 1
- Oct 12, 2026
I am seeking the exact details of Hauptmann Heinz Harmstorf's combat claim on the night of 5/6 July 1942 of a Wellington bomber near El Daba in Egypt. The location of the attack was designated within the Mediterranean/North African grid sector Planquadrat 20 East / 4820 (the coastal frontline sector encompassing the El Daba and forward El Alamein tactical zones in Egypt).
I understand the details are preserved via the Reich Air Ministry (Reichsluftfahrtministerium) and Luftwaffe night-fighter command data.
Operating under visual guidance and localized searchlight coordination (as advanced airborne radar deployment was still in its infancy in the North African theater), Harmstorf's heavy-cannon-armed Ju 88 stalked the low-flying Wellington DV508 as it targets motor transport columns. The interception occurred at 02:46 AM, causing the Wellington to crash in the forward desert lines (according to RAF records) where it was entirely consumed, leaving no traces for recovery teams. The German location was thought to be over the sea near the coast of El Daba. I would like to know the exact location if that was possible.
I am seeking any official information on this encounter from the German side.
Many thanks.
I understand the details are preserved via the Reich Air Ministry (Reichsluftfahrtministerium) and Luftwaffe night-fighter command data.
Operating under visual guidance and localized searchlight coordination (as advanced airborne radar deployment was still in its infancy in the North African theater), Harmstorf's heavy-cannon-armed Ju 88 stalked the low-flying Wellington DV508 as it targets motor transport columns. The interception occurred at 02:46 AM, causing the Wellington to crash in the forward desert lines (according to RAF records) where it was entirely consumed, leaving no traces for recovery teams. The German location was thought to be over the sea near the coast of El Daba. I would like to know the exact location if that was possible.
I am seeking any official information on this encounter from the German side.
Many thanks.
