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

[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/