Information sought on Do 217E-4, WNr 5370 of 5/KG40

[pfP7063]

Dear Colleagues

I am hoping that some of you out there may be able to help with more information on the following:

Do 217E-4
WNr 5370
5/KG40 F8+BN (Schwarz oder rot B?)

Pilot: Oblt. Adolf Wolf
POW on 19.8.42 after being shot down by Whirlwinds of 137 Sqn. (Bryan & Roberts). Crew of 3 KIA. Kanal. Crashed into sea NE of Happisburgh Light.

In particular I'd like to learn the names of the other members of Oblt. Adolf Wolf's crew who unfortunately did not survive. Also, where would I be able to obtain a copy of Wolf's POW interrogation report? Are there any photographs of the aircraft or its crew? Were the Do 217's of 5/KG 40 camouflaged in the standard RLM 70/71/65?

Thank you all in advance.

Paul

[Chris Goss]

Stfw Erich Roesner-B, Uffz Walter Hamann-Bf, Fw Kurt Glatzel-BM. Cannot comment if the B was black or red. Photos I have seen of II/KG 40's Do 217s appear standard camouflage but I cannot be certain for this ac. I have a copy of the report which adds very little (but confirms it was Whirlwinds that got them)

[pfP7063]

Much appreciated Chris, thank you.

Paul

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Paul and Chris,

I can add that Uffz Neumann washed ashore on 28th August 1942 near the Dutch coastal village Bergen aan Zee. His body was buried in Bergen and re-interred at Ysselsteyn on 26th April 1957 where he still rests today.

Can anybody perahps provide the service numbers of the crew?

Thanks in advance,
Hans Nauta

[Melvin Brownless]

Hi,

The A.I.(k) Report No.239/1942 states the following;

In the sea 40 miles NE of Happisburgh Light, Norfolk.
Started from Soesterberg on Shipping Recce off the East Coast.
This crew usually flew the F8 + BN, but this aircraft was u/s at the last moment and they had to fly one of the others from the Staffel. In conjunction with the Dieppe raid, this crew was sent to watch any possible shipping movements off the East Coast and carried no bombs.

The weather was misty and the aircraft, after having seen only one ship, was returning to its base in Holland at 1,000 feet. The Observer saw two twin-engined fighters (which from English sourcres were Whirlwinds) to starboard, which immediately attacked and an elevator was hit, but the aircraft could still be held by trimming. Then the fuselage was hit and the aircraft caught fire. The crew baled out, and the pilot was later picked up by a Walrus of the Sea Rescue Service.

The Pilot, who has the Deutsche Verdienst Orden, joined the G.A.F. at the beginning of the war, and had been an Instructor. He only joined the unit in the middle of July, and only had six war flights to his credit.

The Observer, who was lost, is known to have been in 5/KG40 in December 1941, when he was an Oberfeldwebel.

Morale: Good.

Regards,

Melvin

http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com/

[Hans Nauta]

Hello all,

As matter of fact Walrus L2238 of 278 Squadron crewed by F/Lt P. Smith, F/O J. Chase and F/Sgt S. Hurrell picked up Oblt Wolf.
(Another Kind of Courage, Norman Franks, page 222)

Regards,
Hans Nauta

[pfP7063]

Melvin and Hans, thank you both very much for your additional in formation.

Paul