Fate of 6./KG2 on 19th August 1942
 

I know reconstructing the air battle over Dieppe is somewhat complicated, but I'm trying to establish the timeline for the destruction of 6./KG2 during the Luftwaffe response to the Allied landing. I believe the below aircraft covers the staffel losses during the day.

Do217E-4 (1217/U5+OP)-Missing. [Four crew killed (Oblt K. Krüger (P), Uffz P. Kleaka (O), Gefr W. Glenzer (R) and Uffz K. Grasse (M)]
Do217E-4 (4221/U5+…)- Force landed near Abbeville airfield after being damaged, and then destroyed by a fire. [One wounded (Ofw F. Kaminsky (M)]
Do217E-4 (5440/U5+…)- Force landed near Dieppe after being damaged by fighters and subsequently destroyed by a fire. [Four wounded (Uffz F. Handel (P), Uffz H. Urner (O), Uffz A. Schotthüfer (R) and Uffz H. Wilmsen (M)]
Do217E-4 (5453/U5+EP)- Missing. [Four crew killed (Uffz R. Blankenburg (P), Uffz H. Schwart (O), Uffz H. Depping (R) and Uffz M. Fiege (M)]
Do217E-4 (5459/U5+GP)- Crashed near Dieppe after being hit by AAA. [Two wounded (Ofw H. Lemsen (O) and Obgfr S. Schirosky (M)) and two killed (Ofw W. Klein (P) and Fw W. Fritsch (R)]

I believe that the staffel launched four aircraft at 11:54, none of which returned, but have also seen reports that they launched at 10:00. So is the 11:54 launch time correct and does anybody know which of the five aircraft was lost at a different time?

Regards,

Steve

Re: Fate of 6./KG2 on 19th August 1942
 

Steve: I suppose you have Balke's book? Times are given for the take offs of the losses (this is why I have been very generic with my Do 217 book for this day). Book does mention II./KG 2 a number of times (0942, 1508, 1537, 1603, 1715 hrs) but only mention of 6 Staffel is as you say 1154 take off. Handel was said to be 1508 take off. Overclaiming by the RAF for Do 217s was high....

The RAF claimed to have destroyed 42 Do 217s, probably destroyed another six and damaged another 48 so with so much over-claiming, saying who got whom is hard apart from the loss of the aircraft flown by Oblt Adolf Wolff of 5./KG 40

Re: Fate of 6./KG2 on 19th August 1942
 

Hi Chris,

Thanks for that. I'm actually waiting for the delivery of a copy of Balke's KG2 book from AbeBooks to get more details.

I know with the multiple Allied claims, I have no chance of establishing with any degree of certainty who engaged 6.Staffel, I'm just trying to see if I can establish the time of when they were intercepted.

Regards,

Steve

Re: Fate of 6./KG2 on 19th August 1942
 

This, taken from my book, may help more. A crew from 5./KG 2:


"On 19 August 1942 they made their first war flight. They were not then considered to be fully trained and were only employed because of the importance of the operation. In the morning nine aircraft from II./KG 2 took off from Eindhoven to attack shipping off Dieppe. Five of them were lost. In the afternoon a further sortie was made also by nine aircraft, this time including the present POWs. At about 1500 hrs BST this crew located the ships some distance off the French coast; intense Flak was encountered and almost simultaneously their aircraft was attacked by five Spitfires. The bombs were dropped with unobserved results and the pilot managed to get away by taking violent evasive action. During the encounter, hits were sustained in the undercarriage mechanism, ailerons and fuel tank and an emergency landing was made at Evreux. The radio operator [Uffz Arno Salz] claimed one Spitfire shot down.

Re: Fate of 6./KG2 on 19th August 1942
 

Hi Chris,

Thanks for that. Do you have the identity of the aircraft Uffz Salz was in? I have 5319 from II./KG2 force landing at Turnhout. The only Do217 I had force landing in the Evreux area was 4281 from II./KG40 noted as landing 'near Rouen'.

Interested to hear of a Spitfire claim by KG2, I'd only previously seen the five made by II./KG40.

Regards,

Steve

Re: Fate of 6./KG2 on 19th August 1942
 

Ries (Wk Nr 5319) said Evreux but records say Turnhout. Take your pick!

Re: Fate of 6./KG2 on 19th August 1942
 

Ha, thanks, guess we'll never know!

Re: Fate of 6./KG2 on 19th August 1942
 

This from the book:

Do 217s did file claims for aircraft shot down off Dieppe and in each case they were Spitfires-known claims were two by II./KG 2 while five were recorded by 5./KG 40 at 1402, 1628, 1635, 1638 and 1943 hrs. By means of example as to two losses, Sqn Ldr Wilfred Duncan-Smith of 64 Sqn was shot down by return fire in the process of shooting down at Do 217 20 miles north-west of Dieppe at 1540 hrs, baling out to be rescued by the RN while Plt Off Wilf Smithyman flying a Typhoon of 266 Sqn was last seen chasing three Do 217s between 1400-1505 hrs; his body was later washed ashore in France

Re: Fate of 6./KG2 on 19th August 1942
 

Thanks, I had the five claims by KG40, but hadn't seen any for KG2. Do you have any details on that units the second claim?

Yes S/Ldr Duncan-Smith was definitely shot down by a bomber, but regarding PO Smithyman I've not been able to confirm it. As you say he was last seen chasing Do217's, but his squadron believed he was shot down by a Fw190. Again another question that will probably never be answered.

Regards,

Steve

Re: Fate of 6./KG2 on 19th August 1942
 

Sorry no further details on the KG 2 claims