Do 217 downed 15 May 1944

[Mikkel Plannthin]

A Do 217 was shared by 4 237 Sqn pilots in 15 May 1944, cf.
http://www.danishww2pilots.dk/sorties.php?id=1055

Would anyone be able to guide me to the identity of this aircraft?

Regards

Mikkel Plannthin

[Matti Salonen]

I suppose, that this is it:

1944-05-15, Ld.Kdo. Italien, Do 17E, 3077, Südöstlich Ovada, 30 km nordwestlich Genua, Jägerbeschuß. Bruch 100 %.
F Ofw Ludwig, Gerhard, tot
B Uffz Neumann, Erwin, tot
Bf Uffz Bachhuber, Josef, verletzt

Matti

[Nick Beale]

BA-MA RL20/311 (KTB of Flughafen Bereichs Kommando 18/XI) supports what Matti says, that on 15 May 1944: "Near Ovada, Do 17 with three-man crew shot down. Luftdienstkommando Italien."

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Thank you Matti and Nick. Much appreciated.

Mikkel

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Sorry if this is a stupid question: you both mention a Do 17 crash while the ORB mentions a Do 217.

Would one just presume, that what the pilot thought was a 217 was a 17 given - I guess - that you have found no Do 217 losses on this day in this area?

I know that Do 217 was developed from the Do 17, but thought they were different and a pilot was able to tell them apart.

Mikkel

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Mikkel Plannthin

I know that Do 217 was developed from the Do 17, but thought they were different and a pilot was able to tell them apart.

Mikkel

I wouldn't trust pilots' aircraft recognition abilities too far, even in daylight. Incorrect identifications are all too common.

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Thanks again Nick. I know that pilots' skills in this area were not always the best, I just wondered because neither of you reflected on this when answering my initial question.

Mikkel

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Actually it is far possible that by 1944 the Do 17 was no more on the standard RAF recognition book, while the Do 217 was there, and was excepted to be encountered.

Good evening to everybody!
I live near Ovada and I would like to know more information about the DO 217 downed on 15 may 1944.. Could you help me? Have you other information about the crew? about the crash dinamycs? the aircraft identification number? and any luftwaffe's reports or something else?

My personal best regards
Alessandro

[Nick Beale]

In your opinion how can i get more information?
For example on the post you talk about
BA-MA RL20/311 (KTB of Flughafen Bereichs Kommando 18/XI)
What is this? how can i read it?

Alessandro

The document I mentioned is held at the Bundesarchiv-Militärarchiv in Freiburg, Germany. It is the War Dairy of Aerodrome regional Command 18/XI, based in Legnano. I took a few notes from it when I visited Freiburg in 1989 and the few words I poated are all that I know about this aircraft.

You can obtain the 237 Squadron pilots' combat reports from the British National Archives, they should be available to download.