Trying to ID codes for a Do17Z of AufklarStaffel zbV of Luftflotte 2 which crashed in Belgium on 25.5.40

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I'm trying to properly code several photos of the Do17 of Uffz. Hans Metzger that fatally crashed into a house on Groenstraat in Mouscron, Belgium, on 25.5.40. It clearly has a white or possibly yellow "H," for it's individual code, but the other codes aren't clear. It may have a unit code of 5K, which would mean that it was borrowed from KG3, but this is far from certain. Does anyone know what the ID code of that unit should be? Does anyone have clear enough photos of the wreckage to determine what the full code of the aircraft was? The 4th letter might also be an "H," but this is far from certain. Don't cite the information on the loss in TBoFrT&N, as this is one of the rare errors as to location in that publication.

Thanx

[Pieter H]

Hi Larry,

As always you start interesting discussions!

To start, I have a picture from an eBay offering that clearly shows the 5K+H? as being the plane that hit the houses, almost certainly the ones in Moeskroen/Mouscron. The fourth letter is unfortunately not readable due to a big dent in the fuselage.

Regarding time and date:
In the book "Mei 1940 boven Belgie" by De Decker and Roba the crash in Moeskroen by the crew Mertgen, Kipple and Schorn is clearly dated May 20. Time 13.30. Unit 3(F)/Aufkl.Gr.Ob.d.L. like Peter Cornwell, so that seems to be consistent.

But indeed, on a web page (in French) on Mouscron/Luingne in May 1940
http://membres.lycos.fr/luingne/page...e_mai_1940.htm
it is clearly stated that this happened on May 25,all other details being the same. Originally I tended to follow the two first sources, but I admit this last one- being local - should be very convincing.

Yet, also in the Volksbund data the date for the Mertgen crew is May 20.

So:
- the date of death of the Mertgen crew is May 20
- for the date May 25 the names of Moegelin, Mertger and Steinhagen (according Peter Cornwell the crew of the A.z.b.V. Luftflotte 2) are not in the volksbund list. But Dorowski is.
- the code of the aircraft suggests 1./KG3

The rest is unclear.
Looking forward to further details.

Regards, Pieter

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Would someone be willing to translate the Mouscron story listed in the previous post into English for me?

Thanks,

[Peter Cornwell]

Hello Pieter,

The De Dekker/Roba offering (which I followed) has been proved an unreliable source I'm afraid. The revised entry for this event on May 25, 1940, currently stands as follows:

AufklStaffel zbV. Luftflotte 2 Dornier Do17Z. Shot down by AA fire during a reconnaissance sortie and crashed onto houses at 115-117 Groenstraat in Mouscron 10.15 a.m. BO Lt Herbert Mögelin, BM Fw Günter Dorowski, FF Uffz Hans Metzger, and BF Uffz Johann Steinhagen all killed. Aircraft a 100% write-off.
The bodies of the crew were subsequently moved from a field grave near the crash site to the regional cemetery at Deinze, Belgium.

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi Larry,

I'll try to translate today the text on the website.

To follow by e-mail.

Best regards

Luc

[Larry Hickey]

Luc,

Actually, I was thinking about you when I wrote that in the wee hours of the night. Please send that via my regular email address and THANKS!

Regards,

Larry

[Pieter H]

Hi Peter,

So we now agree on the May 25 AStzbV Luftflotte 2 aircraft that crashed in Moeskroen.
Two questions left:
- where does the aircraft code come from?
- to which unit belonged the Mertgen crew on May 20?

Regards, Pieter