missions of II/KG100 against Escort Groups july and august 1944

[martin75]

Hello,

during july and august 1944 III/KG100 has conducted several missions against allied escort groups along the french atlantic coast. I would like to know if similar missions were conducted during nights 28 to 29 july and 31 july to 1st august ; I found no mention of these missions in ULTRA.

For night 7 to 8 august a mission was led apparently by 8 Do-217 and a hit claimed by Lt Kirstenpfad on a steamer of 10000 BRT in the "Bucht of Saint-Malo", but the "Kriegstagebuch der Seekriegstagebuch" mentions a mission by 8 Do-217 in the Seine bay. Can someone tell me what is the right version ?

Lastly, cruiser Diadem was narrowly missed by an Hs-293 before Gironde estuary on 12 august but , otherwise, I do not find any mention of this mission.

Thanks for your patience and I hope for your help.

Claude

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi Claude,

For 28/29 July 1944: "III./K.G. 100 4 Do 217 to operate 20:15/01:00 and 22:45/24:00. (of the first group probably one only airborne). One aircraft heard returning to Toulouse 00:26/01:31. Results not known." [Source: NA HW 13/20]

For 31 July/1 August 1944: "Offensive operation by III./K.G. 100, probably as a result of 2) above [a 3.(F)/123 mission probably spotting an Allied force]. Soon after the weather report by 3.(F)/123, it was notified that eight Do 217s were to undertaken an offensive operation west of Brest. They were to fly out over Hourtin in pairs between 20:55 and 23:25 with intervals of 50 minutes between each pair, and return from 00:43 to 04:00. Four aircraft were active in W/T with Toulouse from 23:19." [Source: NA HW 13/20]

For 31 July/1 August 1944: "By 20:30 eight Do 217 had been briefed to carry out an offensive operation west of Brest. Aircraft were to cross coast on out inward flight over Hourtin in pairs at intervals of 50 minutes as follows:
First pair out 20:55 in 00:45 to 01:00
Second pair out 21:45 in 01:45 to 02:01
Third pair out 22:35 in 02:45 to 03:00
Fourth pair out 23:55 in 03:45 to 04:00
Result: 4 aircraft (row ii) heard in W/T returning to Toulouse. Three of these aircraft reported target not found at 23:28, ..., 01:55 respectively. One specified position 14 W 69, ... made a weather report from 14 W 698." [Source: NA HW 13/40]

For 7/8 August 1944: "Attack on destroyers reported off the Selune Estuary and off Avranches intended and apparently carried out (or at least attempted) by Do 217s of III./K.G. 100, possibly operating in two waves. Six of these aircraft were heard in W/T between 23:00 and 04:00." [Source: NA HW 13/20]

For 7/8 August 1944: "Attacks were intended against destroyers off the mouth of the Selune and Avranches.
Two aircraft of III./K.G. 100 operated with Villacoublay D/F between 00:04-01:28. One signalled that he was flying on one engine and intended to make a forced-landing at Cognac. 3 further aircraft of this unit operated with Toulouse Blagnac between 02:56 and 04:05." [Source: NA HW 13/40]

For 12 August 1944: "... aircraft scored near misses with HS 293 on a destroyer in 14 west/3765 and a landing vessel of 2,000 tons (explosion and patch of oil to left of stern)." [Source: AWM 54 423/4/103 Part 67, Luftflotte 3 Situation Reports August 1944]

For 12 August 1944: "Sightings of Allied units continued to be passed by naval authorities to III./K.G. 100 during the night 11/12 August, for a further operation early on the 12th: one such report was passed to aircraft in flight at 06:10. Four aircraft of III./K.G. 100 were identified 05:38/07:47, but there is no evidence of contact. Shortly before noon, III./K.G. 100 asked for reports of heavy ships between Brest and Lorient in preparation for a dusk attack. This attack was apparently not carried out." [Source: NA HW 13/20]

Martin Bollinger mentions these raids on page 159 of his book Warriors and Wizards.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com

[Nick Beale]

Probably the quickest way to get the answers to your questions about attacks on ships is to sign up to www.fold3.com, they have all the British Admiralty War Diaries online.

[martin75]

Many thanks for your answer Andrew. I found the reference to the attack on Diadem in the book of Martin Bollinger but he gives no detail.

Yes Nick, you are right, but the Admiralty War Diaries gives no mention of attacks by Do-217 for nights 28 to 29 july, 31 july to 1st august, 7 to 8 august and 12 august. I have only :
- attack on HMS Fame (Escort Group 14) night 17 to 18 july
- attack on HMCS Matane (Escort Group 9) night 20 to 21 july
- attack on Escort Group 14 21 july
- attack on Escort Group 14 night 24 to 25 july
- attack on HMCS Saint-Laurent (Escort Group 11) night 8 to 9 august
- attack on HMS Affleck (Escort Group 1) night 9 to 10 august

Regards

Claude

[martin75]

Just a little question : are the hours given in the documents HW 13, cited by Andrew, GMT time (as in ULTRA messages) or british or german summer time (GMT+2) ?

Regards

Claude

[mjbollinger]

I've tried to document all of the glide-bomb missions flown by KG 10 and KG 40. Here is what I have relative to your inquiry:

One mission the night of 28/29 July against targets in Brest by 4 Do 217M-11 of III./KG 100. No hits. No record of an attack by surface forces.

One mission the night of 31 July/1 August against the same targets by 8 Do 217M-11 of III./KG 100. No hits. No record of the attack by surface forces.

The mission on 7/8 August was against targets in the near Avranches by 8 Do 217M-11 of III./KG 100. No record of an attack by surface forces.

The mission of 12 August involved an attack on HMS Diadem without any damage. Here is an account from signalman John Williams of HMS Diadem:

"August 12 1944: Quiet during morning but in the afternoon we sighted some French fishing smacks. Sent Onslow to investigate them, she caught up with 2 of them close inshore and got a lot of useful information from them. We cruised about for approx. 2 hours waiting for Onslow's return. As she was about to return a signal station ashore started flashing at us. I was told to answer with 20 inch but could not make head nor tail of her, I was told to ask her if she had anything for us which I tried to do but could not get her to understand. At last we realised that she was manned by Jerries so we got ready to leave. Suddenly we heard shore batteries open up and shells began to drop all around us. Onslow had a very narrow squeak. Away we steamed under a smoke screen out to sea. We were back again at night and were met by Jerry plane which flew high overhead and guided a radio controlled glider bomb straight at us, we all thought it was the end when suddenly when she was about 50 feet away from us she swerved and hit the water about 50 yards on our starboard beam, thanks to type 68 (b8?). The ship rattled from stern to stern and gave us a shaking."

Primary sources on these attacks is Nietzel and Balke -- probably the same sources you are using.

Hope this helps. As Claude says, I don't have further details on these attacks -- if in fact any Hs 293 were used in attacks those nights.

Marty

[martin75]

All my thanks Marty

Claude