Dornier 215 attacked 3 Oct 1940

[andy bird]

Pilot Officer Fowler, engaged a Do. 215 off Sumburgh whilst flying Blenheim U-Uniform (248 Sqn) was last seen "skirting along the water at less than 50 feet" extensive damage done to Blenheim starboard engine by return fire and both pilot and observer almost blinded by shattered perspex.

Did the Do. 215 make it back?

Have RAF Intel Report Statement: "The ZENITH near Sumburgh reported an attack by fighter and returned towards base on one engine.

KInd Regards

Andy Bird

[Brian Bines]

Andy,

I could not find a Do215 to match this on 3rd. Oct. if it was one perhaps it got back with under 10% damage. There was a Ju88A-1 of 1(F)/122 that FTR. The Soren Flensted 'Airwar Over Denmark' site says this aircraft sent out a distress call at 1845 hrs but gives the location as Pl.Q 2200 05E off Harwich. The GQM list just shows it as missing unknown cause off Harwich, and Soren shows two crew later washed ashore Denmark. GQM list also shows a Ju88A-5 of 5/KG30 missing from mission to England, and Ju88A-1 of 7/KG30 in emergency landing on sea off Schouwen following engine trouble. Just found this one which looks like the one you are after Do17Z-2 Wekusta Ob.d.L. 2547 T5+IU Reg.Rat. Heinrich wounded in fighter attack Planquadrant ??70 damage to aircraft shown as ? (Heinrich shown in the Wekusta book as in Wekusta 1 Ob.d.L. from Aug. 1940 to June 1941 and that on 3 Oct the Do17 flown by Ltn Fritz Meinecke was damaged by a Blenheim and despite having one engine out of action the German pilot forced the Blenheim to ditch)

Regards

Brian Bines


Ltn Friz Meinecke and crew killed in crash at Banak on 2-11-41 with Wek.5

[robert]

It was Do 17Z-2 T5+JU from Wekusta 1/ObdL that returned slightly damaged with wounded met observer Reg.Rat.aKr. Rudolf Heinrich. According to the German side this combat took place approx. 60 nautical miles SE of Sumburgh.

Regards

Robert

[andy bird]

Hi Brian and Robert

Many Thanks,

Do 17 seems to fit, Blenheim made it back although Fowler thought that at 09.00 that he might have to ditch and sent a international SOS signal. By this time he had cut the motor.

Sgt John Rourke the mid upper also go off 100 rounds.

Once again, thank you.

Andy

[Brian Bines]

Andy thanks for adding that, it looks like Fowlers distress call was picked up by the Germans giving the impression of a victory for the Meinecke crew,

Brian Bines

[Chris Goss]

I have 0854 hrs U/248 Sqn claimed a Do 215 probable SE Shetlands-ac hit in engine & pilot injured by glass

[andy bird]

Many Thanks Brian and Chris,

According to 'Bill' McHardy memories circa 1989: Injuries sustained to crew five lacerations, shards of perspex removed by a large pair of tweezers.