Dornier 217 crashed in Salerno 16 sept. 1943

[mjbollinger]

A Do 217 E-5, such as represented by 6N+KN, was not equipped to carry the PC 1400X. Only the Do 217 K-2 and K-3 (at that time) had the necessary wing design and placement of the ETC 2000 bomb rack. On the Do 217 E-5 the bomb racks were outboard of the engines, perhaps to accomodate the wings of the Hs 293. On the Do 217 K-2 and K-3 the bomb racks were inboard of the engines, which was better for lateral stability.

Also, the wings of the K-2 and K-3 had been lengthened considerably to allow the aircraft to reach the altitudes necessary for effective use of the PC 1400X. The Do 217 E-5 could not reach those altitudes. The nose design was also significantly altered and the aircraft do look quite different.

6N+KN would have been equipped with the Hs 293.

A separate mission was flown by III./KG 100 that same day with the PC 1400X. This is the mission that almost destroyed HMS Warspite and slightly damaged HMS Valiant. It appears that none of those aircraft were lost.

I suspect we have found the wreckage of 6N+KN. Thanks for the photos!!

MB

[Brian Bines]

Looking on the Luft. QM's list there is another possibilty on 15/16th Do217E-5 6N+HP wn 5552 was reported missing from the Salerno area. The Ff Ltn Horst Preisser, B Uffz Georg Hammerl and Bf Ogef Gunter (umlaut over u) are shown as missing but later shown as returned unwounded. The Bs Uffz Norbert Marek is shown as missing but according to the KG100 book following baling out he was captured,

Hope you solve the identity of this one,

Brian Bines