Do 17 ??+UK crashed near Gedinne (B)

[Merlin]

Hello,

I’m afraid Pieter’s thoughts have to be revised completely.

The photo shows a Do 17 with “UK” (both letters in black) behind the cross. The second digit in front of the cross could be a “E”, “F” or “P”.

All second Staffeln of the Kampfgruppen have had black letters with a white border at the third position on Do 17 aircraft during 1940. None of these units would fit to the aircraft on the photo.

Several reconnaissance units flew with an all black code. Some of the (H)-Staffeln which were supporting the army forces, have had a few Do 17P or Do 17M in addition to their main equipment of Hs 126 during 1940. These Do 17 aircraft were arranged within some units at the end of the alphabet.

One of these reconnaissance units was 2.(H)/13 with the code 4E+xK. The unit reported one Do 17M lost after fighter attack near Bohain (which is located 15km south of Gedinne) on 20.Jan.1940. The crew was reported missing.

To my opinion the photo shows the Do 17M 4E+UK from 2.(H)/13 after being shot down on 20.01.40.