| A Messerschmitt Bf-109E-4 aircraft, Werknummer “factory number”) 5587, force landed on the Solton Manor, Solton Lane, East Langdon, Dover estate after an engagement with United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF) fighters. The Solton Manor farmer’s daughter, Jean Weir (1928 – ????), was later photographed sitting in the cockpit by her mother after the pilot was taken prisoner. This was unusual as civilians were forbidden from photographing enemy aircraft. The soldiers detailed to investigate the crash also photographed themselves in the cockpit, giving the “thumbs up.” On August 24, 1940, during the Battle of Britain, Oberfeldwebel Fritz Beeck (November 30, 1910 – February 26, 1957) of 6/Jagdgeschwader (“Fighter Squadron”) 51, “Mölders,” was 1 of many Luftwaffe fighter pilots tasked with escorting bombers on their way to hit RAF Manston, in Kent. He shot down an RAF Hurricane, his 4th kill. 1 of the Royal Air Force pilots tasked with defending the base was Sergeant Antoni Głowacki (February 10, 1910 – April 27, 1980), a Polish pilot with Number 501 squadron. RAF Mansion was so heavily bombed it was temporarily abandoned. 6/Jagdgeschwader (“Fighter Squadron”) 51 was nicknamed “Mölders,” after Commanding Officer Oberst (“Colonel”) Werner “Vati” Mölders (March 18, 1913 – November 22, 1941). Beeck’s Messerschmitt Bf-109 “Yellow 10” was shown down by Głowacki, who scored 5 victories in 3 sorties that day. Note the II Gruppe emblem of a weeping bird with an umbrella tucked under its wing and the inscription “Gott Strafe England” (“God Punish England.”) Beeck was captured almost upon impact by Sergeant Wood of the constabulary. He was rumored to say, in English or in German, “It’s a fair cop,” meaning he was legally captured. Beeck’s Bf-109 was torn apart for intelligence on site, crudely dismantled, and carted away. Weir went on to an amateur competitive horseback riding career through the 1950s. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1997.jpg |
| Image Size | 101.26 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1000 x 633 |
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| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | August 24, 1940 |
| Location | |
| City | Dover |
| State or Province | Kent |
| Country | United Kingdom |
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| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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