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Me109 recovered at the Somme

Messerschmitt 109G-6
Werknummer (serial): 19877

5./JG2
Pilot: Lt. Hans-Joachim Rimarski (killed)
Date: 19th August 1943

Place: Talmas, Somme

Me109 of JG2

The Somme Aircraft Recovery Group, led by Pierre Ben, found a missing Me109G-6 and its pilot, Leutnant Hans-Joachim Rimarski. The identity of the aircraft was not known when the excavation took place due to the fact that so few records exist for this part of France; locals could only remember that it was a German fighter plane.

The Somme 39-45 recovery team

Messerschmitt 109 G6/R6 Werk Nummer 19877 of 5./JG2 was lost on the 19th August 1943, near Epinoy (Pas de Calais), but was found at Talmas (Somme). The combat occurred during Ramrod 209 – escorting B-26s to Glisy, and this Me109 fell victim to F/Lt Hume in a Spitfire IX of 485 (NZ) Squadron.

The DB605 engine on the move after 63 years in the ground

Combat Report:
“I saw 4 a/c and climbed into the sun to get into position to attack. When I got near enough to recognise them as Spitfires, a Me109, which was going in the opposite direction, half-rolled and jumped them. This E/A did not see me, so I just flew up behind and fired a short burst from about 15° starboard and approximately 100 yards range, and saw a single strike on the starboard wing. I was forced to break left violently to prevent running into him, and called white 2 (P/O Roberts) to finish him off. White 2 was about to open fire when the E/A blew up”.

The work plate giving the number ‘19877’ – the first clue to the mystery Me109

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