Luftwaffe - Recco Units over France during the Sitzkrieg & Westfeldzug

[Jerome Ribeiro]

Hello George,

After reading plenty of books on the "Drôle de Guerre", I noticed several units who performed recco missions over airfields or sensitive areas.

• Do17P 3.(F)/22 shooted down by MS406 from GCIII/2 at Zweibrücker on 22 Sept'39
• Do17P 1.(F)/22 shooted down by Adj Plubeau from GCII/4 at Hanviller on 8 Nov'39
• Do17P 3.(F)/22 (4N+EL?) shooted down by S/Lt Trémolet & Sgt Salès from GCII/5 (Curtiss H75) at Morhange on 21 Nov'39
• He111 3.(F)/121 shooted down by S/Lt TDelarue from GCIII/7 in belgium on 21 Nov'39
• Do17P 4.(F)/121 shooted down by GCII/7 at Sulzburg on 21 Nov'39
• Do17P 5.(F)/122 shooted down by S/C Le Gloan & S/Lt martin GCIII/6 at Bras-Sur-Meuse on 23 Nov'39
• Do17P 1.(F)/123 shooted down by MS406 from GCII/3 at Bouclans on 23 Nov'39
• Do17P 2.(F)/22 shooted down by S/Lt Rey from GCI/5 in Belgium on 11 Jan'40
• Do17P 3.(F)/11 (?) shooted down by GCI/5 in Belgium on 11 Jan'40
• Interesting, Do17S-0 (unit???) shooted down by GCI/4 near Calais on 13 jan'40. French specialists inspected this interesting wreck
• Do17P 1.(F)/121 shooted down by GCII/7 near Epinal on 2 March'40
• Do17P 4.(F)/22 damaged by 3 Curtiss H75 from GCII/5 on 2 March'40
• Do17P 4.(F)/11 shooted down by GCII/2 at Sedan on 1st April'40
• Do17P 4.(F)/121 damaged by GCI/2 at Saverne on 2 April'40
• Do17P 4.(F)/122 shooted down by GCI/5 at Wez on 11 April'40
• He111H-1 3.(F)/121 shooted down by GCI/5 at Amifontaine on 11 April'40
• Do17P 1.(F)/123 damaged by GCII/5 on 21 April'40
• Do17P 3.(F)/11 shooted down by GCI/5 at Rancicourt on 22 April'40
• Do17P 3.(F)/123 damaged by GCIII/7 on 24 April'40

So, it appears that more than performed recco missions over France. I don't know whether or not the airfields were the primary target.

If if anyone has information about these missions, please inform us?

Regarding the aircraft, the Do17P were the standard equipement used for such missions.

How many reco units were affected on France?

Thanking you in anticipation
Cheers

Jerome