Great Wakering Star Lane Plane Guarded 1940

A Messerschmitt Bf 110 German twin engine heavy fighter plane crash landed in the field to the west of Star Lane brickworks in Great Wakering on a mid morning in July 1940.  Len Knight said “I was 15 years old and when I saw this plane come down I was on the scene within 5-10 minutes on my bicycle.  The pilot was being guarded by one of the farmer’s men brandishing a large pitchfork.  The observer was still in his seat bleeding heavily from a machine gun round.”  The plane was soon guarded to deter treasure hunters from taking parts for souvenirs or other purposes.