missions of II/KG100 against Escort Groups july and august 1944

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi Claude,

For 28/29 July 1944: "III./K.G. 100 4 Do 217 to operate 20:15/01:00 and 22:45/24:00. (of the first group probably one only airborne). One aircraft heard returning to Toulouse 00:26/01:31. Results not known." [Source: NA HW 13/20]

For 31 July/1 August 1944: "Offensive operation by III./K.G. 100, probably as a result of 2) above [a 3.(F)/123 mission probably spotting an Allied force]. Soon after the weather report by 3.(F)/123, it was notified that eight Do 217s were to undertaken an offensive operation west of Brest. They were to fly out over Hourtin in pairs between 20:55 and 23:25 with intervals of 50 minutes between each pair, and return from 00:43 to 04:00. Four aircraft were active in W/T with Toulouse from 23:19." [Source: NA HW 13/20]

For 31 July/1 August 1944: "By 20:30 eight Do 217 had been briefed to carry out an offensive operation west of Brest. Aircraft were to cross coast on out inward flight over Hourtin in pairs at intervals of 50 minutes as follows:
First pair out 20:55 in 00:45 to 01:00
Second pair out 21:45 in 01:45 to 02:01
Third pair out 22:35 in 02:45 to 03:00
Fourth pair out 23:55 in 03:45 to 04:00
Result: 4 aircraft (row ii) heard in W/T returning to Toulouse. Three of these aircraft reported target not found at 23:28, ..., 01:55 respectively. One specified position 14 W 69, ... made a weather report from 14 W 698." [Source: NA HW 13/40]

For 7/8 August 1944: "Attack on destroyers reported off the Selune Estuary and off Avranches intended and apparently carried out (or at least attempted) by Do 217s of III./K.G. 100, possibly operating in two waves. Six of these aircraft were heard in W/T between 23:00 and 04:00." [Source: NA HW 13/20]

For 7/8 August 1944: "Attacks were intended against destroyers off the mouth of the Selune and Avranches.
Two aircraft of III./K.G. 100 operated with Villacoublay D/F between 00:04-01:28. One signalled that he was flying on one engine and intended to make a forced-landing at Cognac. 3 further aircraft of this unit operated with Toulouse Blagnac between 02:56 and 04:05." [Source: NA HW 13/40]

For 12 August 1944: "... aircraft scored near misses with HS 293 on a destroyer in 14 west/3765 and a landing vessel of 2,000 tons (explosion and patch of oil to left of stern)." [Source: AWM 54 423/4/103 Part 67, Luftflotte 3 Situation Reports August 1944]

For 12 August 1944: "Sightings of Allied units continued to be passed by naval authorities to III./K.G. 100 during the night 11/12 August, for a further operation early on the 12th: one such report was passed to aircraft in flight at 06:10. Four aircraft of III./K.G. 100 were identified 05:38/07:47, but there is no evidence of contact. Shortly before noon, III./K.G. 100 asked for reports of heavy ships between Brest and Lorient in preparation for a dusk attack. This attack was apparently not carried out." [Source: NA HW 13/20]

Martin Bollinger mentions these raids on page 159 of his book Warriors and Wizards.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com