Do 215 from 4./NJG 1 and Sgt. Ward VC

[cbe2009]

I am afraid this is a very long shot. Still I would like to ask if there is a connection here!
In the story about how Sgt. Ward won his VC on the night the seventh of Juli 1941, it is said that his Wellington was attacked by a Me 110 night fighter over the Zuider Sea and the tailgunner apparently shot it down.

Could the Me 110 be the Do 215, Wnr. 0046, who made an emergency landing on the water 15 km. east of the island Texel and wounded the crewmembers, according to Michael Balss` book on NJG losses???

Is the code of the Do known now?
I want to build a model of both planes if possible!

Thanks in advance
Christian

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Christian,

This Do.215B-5 was the G9+OM and flown by the crew of FF Oblt Helmut Woltersdorf, BF Uffz Walter Held and BM Obgefr Erich Kloss.

They were in an engagement with Welligton N2843 BL-L of 40 Squadron which they shot down at 03.43 hrs just West of Texel. The Do.215 was hit by return fire however and they had to ditch on their way back to Leeuwarden at 03.45 hrs 15 km E of Texel.

Uffz Held and Obgefr Kloss were wounded, but they all managed to climb into the dinghy and were picked up at position 5457 by He.59 NE+TA which had taken off at 11.08 hrs from Schellingwoude to search for the crew. They landed back at 13.15 hrs.

The wreckage was visited at 7th July 1992 which appeared just above sea level in knee deep water. Two engines and parts of the cockpit were recovered and are now on display in the museum of the Aircraft Recovery Group.

Best regards,
Hans Nauta

[cbe2009]

Thank You very much Hans!
Best wishes
Christian