DO217 salerno 13.09.43

[keith A]

What LW unit was involved in combat with British Spitfires on this date, and how many of these were destroyed or damaged? I expect they were from KG100 and have been told they were K or M models.

regards

Keith

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi Keith,

Six Do 217s from II./K.G. 100 took part. According to eyewitnesses on the ground, a twin-engined German aircraft came down at 15:30 after being attacked by several Spitfires, so at least one Do 217 was lost. There are contradictions between Balke's Kampfgeschwader 100 book and the German loss list, but I'm pretty sure that Do 217 K-2 WNr. 4577, piloted by Oblt. Erwin Burghoff, was downed.

I can say with certainty that three of the Do 217s had returned to Istres that evening.

The Do 217s managed to hit HMS Uganda with a bomb.

Sources: ULTRA; German loss list; German logbooks; Ship diaries; Balke, Kampfgeschwader 100; Prien, Jagdgeschwader 53; Prien, Jagdgeschwader 77; Action Report WNTF; No. 322 Wing ORB; No. 81 Squadron ORB; Correspondence with No. 81 Squadron pilot

All the best,
Andrew A.
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