Dorniers over Suffolk 27 February 1941

[Brian]

Hi guys

On 27 February 1941, it seems that a total of 16 Do17s from II/KG3 were despatched individually to East Anglia on targets-of-opportunity missions, one of these bombing (missing) the Sugar Beet factory at Bury St Edmunds at 1410. Sadly, a father and his two young daughters were killed in a nearby house.

A second Do17 strafed RAF Honington (at 1243). At 1310, a Dornier was seen to land in a field at Cottingham (five miles north of Cambridge) with a jagged hole in the trailing edge of port wing. It took off almost immediately.

Apparently this was aircraft 'D' of II/KG3 which reported a crew member wounded.

However, I have a note that a Do17 from 8/KG2 reported flak damage with Gfr Alfred Kanter wounded.

Can anyone of our experts put meat on bones and relate specfic aircraft to incidents?

Cheers
Brian

[cproyston]

Originally Posted by Brian

A second Do17 strafed RAF Honington (at 1243). At 1310, a Dornier was seen to land in a field at Cottingham (five miles north of Cambridge) with a jagged hole in the trailing edge of port wing. It took off almost immediately.

I'm probably no help at all, but I'd have thought this should be Cottenham,

Cheers,
Chris

[cproyston]

Just from a random dip into my files - I have it noted that at 27th Feb 1941, 1259hrs, Brandon school was strafed with one eyewitness reporting "the aircraft was still firing [as it left] in the direction of Lakenheath" and another speculating "a line of factory girls returning to work at Roughts [after lunch]" was the intended target and that they [the Do-17] "were taking advantage of cloud-cover",

I didn't note exactly where, but these had come from the local press,

Cheers,
Chris

[Chris Goss]

Kanther was wounded by Flak 1210 hrs during an attack on Mildenhall. It would appear that I/KG 2 that afternoon were operating after shipping off East Anglia

[Brian]

Many thanks Chris and Chris

Yes, Cottenham!

Hope there's more info to come.
Cheers
Brian

[BC]

There is - but it may confuse !

From Norfolk CD files:

27th. FEBRUARY, 1941.

0930 Weather - Cold - Low cloud - Rain - Strong SE wind.

1203 Commander A.A. gun in action

1213 20 rounds fired. H.A. appeared from north and veered to west.
Hits definitely observed. Estimated range 900-1000 yds. Explosions
heard to N.W.

1503 (35) From EASTERN. H.A. reported down at Martham Common G890360
after machine gunning Hemsby and Martham. Repeated to Police
1512.

1620 (47) From EASTERN. Crashed H.A. Martham not yet confirmed (35)
above.

Suffice to say there was NO hostile aircraft crash at Martham, nor anywhere else in Norfolk or Suffolk that day.

BC