Dornier 217 crashed in Salerno 16 sept. 1943

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good night to all!
May I ask one question: Do you have any information about the crew + Squadron + aicraft ( I read it was a Beaufighter ) which claimed the Dornier Do 217? Was it from 600 Squadron; or 89 Squadron?
Thanks if you could point me the victor of this Do 217...
Adriano

[mjbollinger]

It is clear that aircraft from II./KG 100 and III./KG 100 were operating from Foggia during the missions over Salerno. In fact, some never left. According to contemporary British intelligence reports, seven Do 217 K-2 aircraft of III./KG 100 were left behind: 6N+BW(Wk.Nr. 4550), 6N+KR (Wk.Nr. 4560), 6N+HT (Wk.Nr. 4517) and an aircraft with uncertain markings (Wk.Nr. 4564), 6N+BT (Wk.Nr. 4535), 6N+RT (Wk.Nr. 4571), and 6N+CT (Wk.Nr. 4557). In addition, two Do 217 E-5 aircraft were abandoned: 6N+KP (Wk.Nr. unknown) and 6N+GP (Wk.Nr. 5615). Interesting, none of these aircraft are even mentioned in Balke’s appendix on KG 100 aircraft losses. They are probably all victims of the air raid on Foggia on 19 September, or perhaps one of two earlier raids.

[SALERNO1943]

Many thanks. I hope with your help to identify aircraft. I'm answering in MP.

[DB601E]

Hi,

the closest Werknummer i have for your picture is also the WNr. 4577.
But according to the grave information given for the 2 dead crewmembers it seemed to me, that this AC crashed in the sea. is the crash site far from the shore?

Greetings

Lino

[SALERNO1943]

Originally Posted by DB601E

Hi,

the closest Werknummer i have for your picture is also the WNr. 4577.
But according to the grave information given for the 2 dead crewmembers it seemed to me, that this AC crashed in the sea. is the crash site far from the shore?

Greetings

Lino

Thanks Lino. The crash site is in mountains between Salerno and Avellino, about 10\15 km from the sea. Like you can see the first number appear to be a 1 and not a 4. Perhaps it is a old werk number then modified in 4577? Do you have photos of werk numbers on Do217? You have measure of werk numbers? So I can compare if numbers we find are werk number or some other.
Thanks again.

[DB601E]

Hi Matteo,

i just found 2 pictures showing a Do217 with
Werknummer shown. But the numbers are too small
to read. The size is hard to estimate, I would say maybe 15-25 cm height.
Maybe too large for the number on your pictures.
So perhaps an alternative solution:

The Werknummer was also sometimes painted on equipment
parts like ammunition box. See picture about number on Ju87 Ammo box.
The size would fit very well: Height about 5 cm.
Greetings

Lino

[SALERNO1943]

Originally Posted by DB601E

Hi Matteo,

i just found 2 pictures showing a Do217 with
Werknummer shown. But the numbers are too small
to read. The size is hard to estimate, I would say maybe 15-25 cm height.
Maybe too large for the number on your pictures.
So perhaps an alternative solution:

The Werknummer was also sometimes painted on equipment
parts like ammunition box. See picture about number on Ju87 Ammo box.
The size would fit very well: Height about 5 cm.
Greetings

Lino

Thanks Lino.
I measure the number we find. It'is high 5 cm. The fragment is alluminium and appear to be part of fuselage.
Thanks again.

[SALERNO1943]

Today we meet some people that confirmed that this DO217 was shot down from a allied fighter in afternoon of 16 sept 1943 after bombed ships in Salerno's Bay. Two of crew bailed out before of crash. One airman was find on the mountain where aircraft crashed and buried on the mountain. Someone can help us to identifi this aircraft? Thanks.

[mjbollinger]

I still think this must be 6N+KN from 5./KG 100. Balke reports it lost (for reasons unknown) after a daytime attack at Salerno on 16 September.

By the way, be careful about interpreting the Istres flight dates since the aircraft would typically fly from Istres to Foggia and then stage the attack out of Foggia. So the date of departure from Istres might not match the date of attack.

MB

[SALERNO1943]

Originally Posted by mjbollinger

I still think this must be 6N+KN from 5./KG 100. Balke reports it lost (for reasons unknown) after a daytime attack at Salerno on 16 September.

By the way, be careful about interpreting the Istres flight dates since the aircraft would typically fly from Istres to Foggia and then stage the attack out of Foggia. So the date of departure from Istres might not match the date of attack.

MB

Thanks again for your alway precious availablity! The crash site is on the way from Salerno to Foggia. The german aircraft was seen came from Salerno to Foggia direction. Therefore it already bombed ships in Salerno bay. The men who bailed landed in german control area so they perhaps returned in service with Luftwaffe. However in the area there were also USA paratroopers landed 14 septmber (operation GIANT III) just on the mountains around crash site. Perhaps they take someone prisoner. In a report from paratroopers spoken about a german airman take prisoner. Any help you can give is very appreciated!