Dornier Do 24 losses at the Northsea in 1943.

[Hans Nauta]

Dear all,

With regard to the loss on 8th October I can add details from the ORB's.

ORB 278 Sqdn (AIR27/1605)

08.10.43
Anson
EG543
F/Sgt T. Whittaker
Sgt R. Fleming
F/Sgt D. Swindell
W/O H. Esthop
16.45-18.45 hrs

Details:
A/c was ordered to search position J.0909 for two Americans. Proceeded on course and escort Nelko Bleu and Black sections were supposed to intercept about 30 miles off the coast. They did not do so and a/c carried on to position and made two sweeps accross it and as there was still no sign of the escort, returned to base. Some R/T from escort was heard. Nothing was seen at all. Landed at dusk. On return to base received report that the escort had arrived at search position 3 minutes ahead and had destroyed a Do.24. Visibility 10 miles. Sea moderate. Cloud 3/10 at 2,000 feet.

ORB 402 Sqdn (AIR27/1777)

08.10.43
Spitfire AA880 P/O L. A. Moore
Spitfire AA753 F/Lt J. A. De Neverville
Spitfire RE686 P/O L. Woloschuk
Spitfire RP445 F/O W. G. Dodd
16.50-17.45 hrs

Details:
Air Sea Rescue from Coltishall to escort Anson of 278 squadron on air sea rescue duty in position WJ.0909 about 65 miles east of Yarmouth. After flying 20 minutes on course our a/c sighted another a/c flying west at sea level and closed to investigate. They recognized this a/c to be a Do.24. They immediately dropped long range tanks and attacked. All four pilots gave bursts and strikes were seen from their fire and the enenmy a/c caught fire at the port and starboard engines. It crashed into the sea at a very low height, dissappeared and no crew were seen. The a/c is claimed as destroyed, shared by all four pilots.

Summary of events:
Whilst doing A.S.R patrol Can J15470 F/O W. G. Dodd, Can C1346 F/L J. A. H. G. De Niverville, Can J17857 P/O L. A. Moore (USA) and Can J18360 P/O L. Woloschuk sighted a D0.24, diving to attack in turn, each secured strikes on the enemy a/c and P/O Moore returning for a second attack shot away the port wing. The a/c plunged into the sea and there were no survivors. Each pilot engaged 1/4 of an a/c destroyed. There were no casualties or damage to Squadron a/c.

(AIR27/1777)

Regards,
Hans Nauta

[David Pausey]

On the 27-7-43 254 Sqn claimed a Do24 N of Frisians 05:59hrs, Beaufighter "V" S/L Filson-Young. Aircraft slightly damaged.

Regards

David

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Brian and Seaplanes,

I noticed differences in spelling of the crew names of DJ+ZX and therefor I've checked the entries at the NVM:

Uffz Paul SLABON
Obgefr Horst-Hagen Mahraun

Regards,
Hans Nauta

[Brian Bines]

Hi Hans,

Thanks for the name corrections,

Regards

Brian

[Jaap Woortman]

Guys,

Thank you all for your contributions.
It is very much appreciated.
According to the VDK database all these persons have no known grave and are still missing.

Jaap Woortman
Secr. Dutch Study Group Airwar 1939-1945.

[andy bird]

Hi Jaap,

Currently writing up some of the operations carried out by the North Coates Wing.

Here is the combat report for V/254 July 1943:

"Whilst on a shipping reconnaissance over the Dutch coast, Beaufighter V/254 pilot sighted a Dornier 24 slightly above and on the port bow. V/254 increased speed and closed onto the enemy’s tail, and opened fire at 450 yards; return fire damaged the port mainplane, the pilot fired a long burst of cannon at 200 yards, using 410 rounds during which the Do. 24 burst into flames and crashed nose first into the sea."

Kind Regards

Andy Bird

[andy bird]

Hi Jaap,

Currently writing up some of the operations carried out by the North Coates Wing.

Here is the combat report for V/254 July 1943:

"Whilst on a shipping reconnaissance over the Dutch coast, Beaufighter V/254 pilot sighted a Dornier 24 slightly above and on the port bow. V/254 increased speed and closed onto the enemy’s tail, and opened fire at 450 yards; return fire damaged the port mainplane, the pilot fired a long burst of cannon at 200 yards, using 410 rounds during which the Do. 24 burst into flames and crashed nose first into the sea."

Kind Regards

Andy Bird

[RT]

27.Juli 43 The plane started from Norderney at 04H36 german time
to find some missing fighter pilots

Rémi