Operations Dora and Bunny-Hop

[Brian]

Hi guys

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly were these KG200 operations in the Middle East 1943/1944?

PS: I've just found this - fact or fiction?

"C.W. explains that the Sonderkommando DORA was involved in dramatic operations far within Africa during the period 1942-44. The last of these operations was undertaken by the top secret and legendary KG200. This started with the aerotowing of an Me 108 Taifun by an He 111 from Greece into Africa, at low level over the Mediterranean to avoid the enemy radar etc. They would have liked to have used a Storch but it did not have enough range. Over the African coast, the combination gained height. At a certain point, well inside Africa, the ME 108 released its cable and its engine was successfully started. The two Luftwaffe airmen then flew on into Africa, where there were thought to be sandy flats, suitable for B-17 to take off and land. The pans were found, and a successful, very careful landing was accomplished. An airstrip was marked out and B-17s started to arrive with supplies etc. Then another airstrip was established, followed by a 3rd one, not far from the West African Coast. It was intended to plant German agents in Sierra Leone, Monrovia and Durban to report on Allied shipping movements. Two German agents finally gave themselves away in Monrovia by having German cigarettes. They were first observed, then followed and arrested and "persuaded " to reveal everything they knew. The British "staked out" the airstrips and waited for the next B-17 arrival. This happened, but the B-17 pilot was suspicious when he saw that a stores' hut had been burnt out. After landing, the B-17 was greeted with a hail of machine gun fire. The pilot was able to take off and to fly his badly damaged B.17 back to Greece for a successful emergency landing."


Cheers
Brian

[Nick Beale]

Based on a true story, as they say in Hollywood. What's the source you're quoting?

In English, Geoffrey Thomas & Barry Ketley's "KG 200, the Luftwaffe's Most Secret Unit" is the best source I know of on these operations; in German it's Günther W. »Moskau ruft Heeresgruppe Mitte …«

I guess "Bunny Hop" could be a translation of »Unternehmen Etappenhase« (which I think may be derogatory slang for someone safe in the rear echelon but maybe someone here knows for certain?). It took place in 1943–1944 and was carried out by Kommando Toska (aka Kommando Süd) at Athens-Kalamaki. That unit did have a B-17 on strength but this operation also used an He 111, the Bf 108 and a Savoia Marchetti 75.

Several of those involved were captured and you can read about them in Combined Services Detailed Interrogation Centre, Middle East, Reports A.14, A.15 and A.17/1944 (National Archives AIR40/3111).

[Brian]

Thanks Nick

Quote came from AXIS HISTORY FORUM.

I didn't wish to delve deeper if the account was pure fiction.

Thanks for the leads - a good start

Cheers
Brian

[Nordpol54]

Gents,

yes, the German meaning is "Etappenhase" and obviously there must have been something (i am quite not sure either). Just feel free to check out for your own at

http://ww2liaisonaircrafts.e-monsite...tt-bf-108.html

Cheers
Norbert

[Brian Bines]

Brian,

There is a chapter on this in the Peter Stahl book 'KG200 The True Story' PM me if you have not got a copy'

Regards

Brian Bines

[Brian]

Thanks for the additional information

Much appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[RSwank]

These two operations are discussed in the book "The Lost Oasis" by Saul Kelly. These were operations that involved Count Almasy, KG200, the German Abwehr, etc.

Operation Dora was primarily an intelligence operation against British air supply routes from Freetown and Monrovia to Fort Lamy and on to Cairo. The Germans wanted to gather intelligence on the supply routes and if possible disrupt them.


Operation Bunny Hop was a more involved operation that seemed to have two purposes. One was the setting up weather reporting operations in the deserts and the second purpose was to recruit Arabs for sabotage and propaganda activities behind Allied lines.

The book goes into some detail on how these operations unfolded and ultimately failed.

[Brian]

Thanks guys for the latest

I've ordered a copy of "The Lost Oasis" - thanks for the lead.

Cheers
Brian

I have been researching Almasy's activities in North Africa (see http://www.fjexpeditions.com/resourc...tion_salam.htm)
and despite the rather assertively written several pages on Etappenhase by Kelly, there is no evidence of Almasy's involvement. The signature by one "Teddy" in an intercepted message is no proof, there were several agents/ operators running by this name. I am still trying to find any reliable sources on A.'s activities in late 1943/44, so far the only confirmed information is him being in Sofia and Istambul in late 1943.