Dornier Wal in Soviet service.

[Brian]

Hi guys

Can anyone enlighten me about Dornier Wal flying boats with the Soviet Northern Fleet in 1941? How many were there? I am aware that one went missing over the Barents Sea on 29 August 1941. Do we know its identity and cause of loss?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[Stig Jarlevik]

Brian

When the war broke out in June 1941 I don't think the Soviet Naval forces had any Wals in service. Those few still used by civilian agencies were then impressed into military service. Unfortunately my sources stop there, so no identities or numbers known by me.

Cheers
Stig

[kirche]

Hi Brian.
In short, in 2 ag VVS of the Northern Fleet has been mobilized from the Polar Aviation (UPA GUSMP) probably four aircraft 'DV'. Two of them were killed. but other dates. Crews known and perhaps even onboard aircraft numbers.
Best regards,
Kirill

[Brian]

Hi Stig

Thanks for that, I didn't know.

Hi Kirill

The aircraft that FTR on 29 August 1941 was commanded by Major Petr Mikel'son of 2nd Aviation Group - lost in the Barents Sea.

Does this help you identify the actual machine and its crew? Any gen will be very useful. Thanks.

Were the others lost in the period 1941-42? If so, I would appreciate any information. Thanks.

Cheers
Brian

[kirche]

Hi, Brian
Now I get it. You have not the correct date of loss.
There is certainly contradictory evidence, but the dates of the losses I'm fairly sure.

16 (or 17) August 1941 in the area of Novaya Zemlya MIA (according to other sources died in a forced landing in a stormy sea) the crew of the Dornier Wal (? tail number "СССР-Н-235") from 2 ag VVS SF (in the process of formation):
the commander of the ship captain in the reserve Alexander Surnin (in 1939-40 worked in Lena aviation group UPA GUSMP on Duglas DF-2-195),
navigator - senior Lieutenant Sergey Baryshev,
on-Board mechanic - military technician 1st rank Ivan Zhukov,
assistant mechanic - military technician 2nd rank in the reserve Alexander Dyuryagin,
gunner-radioman - the commander of the reserve Peter Nikolaev.

24 August 1941 in the area of Guba Belush'ya (the base area) died in the disaster (there are several incorrect wording - not for publication) the crew of (? a linear plane of Igar aviation group UPA GUSMP) Dornier Wal (? tail number "СССР-Н-8") from 2 ag VVS SF:
the commander of the ship major in the reserve Peter Mikhel'son (? Igar aviation group UPA GUSMP),
navigator - senior Lieutenant Kuz'ma Buryak,
on-Board mechanic - military technician 1st rank Nikolay Levin,
on-Board mechanic - military technician 2nd rank Michael Solyannikov,
gunner-radioman - the commander of the reserve Sergey Pimenov

Two other aircraft were apparently fighting work until the end of 1941 (possibly longer). On not confirmed data of their pilots were senior Lieutenant Vladimir Alexandrovich Popov (MAGON UPA GUSMP, died in 1948) and captain Alexander Timofeyevich Streltsov (worked in Lena aviation group UPA GUSMP on 1940, Enisey aviation group UPA GUSMP on 1945).

Best regards,
Kirill

[Brian]

Hi Kirill

Many thanks for the excellent information - just what I was seeking.

Tell me, what was the 'disaster' at Guba Belush'ya on 24 August 1941 that took the lives of Mikel'son and his crew?

Again my thanks,

Brian

[Lennart Andersson]

Are you sure that it was a Dornier Wal? On the date that you mention Douglas DF-151 flying boat CCCP-H205 was lost in a crash.

Lennart A

[kirche]

Brian,
I was not the exact words - "katastrofa" (in Russian) = 'disaster' and 'crash'. August 24, 1941 there was a crash when flying at low altitude over the bay.
Kirill

[kirche]

Originally Posted by Lennart Andersson

Are you sure that it was a Dornier Wal? On the date that you mention Douglas DF-151 flying boat CCCP-H205 was lost in a crash.

Lennart A

Hi Lennart,
I know the data: "Flying boat Douglas DF CCCP-H-205 in June 1941, crashed during landing in Yakutsk hydroport."
These two boats (in Russia have been marked as Douglas DF-195 - # 3 (H-206) and # 4 (H-205)) are not mobilized for military service.
they were called "Sea Douglas" ("Морской Дуглас") and even "DG-1" (ДГ-1) and "DF-2" ("ДФ-2").

"DW" ("ДВ") - it's Dornier Wal ('Do J Bos' made in CMASA).
16(17) and 24 August 1941 - it's losses two "ДВ".

Kirill