Dornier 17P, crashed Devon, August 1940

[Inthermals]

On 27th August 1940 Dornier 17P was intercepted over Plymouth and damaged by two Hurricanes of 238 Squadron - Fl/Lt 'Mindy' Blake and P/O B B Considine. The Dornier later crash landed near Tavistock, Devon.
I have full details of the RAF involvement but know nothing about the Dornier. Can anyone one help with some details - crew, parent unit, aircraft and base airfield would be extremely useful.
Many thanks, Bob Jones

[Nick Beale]

This book should help, I think. The series has been highly praised.

[Chris Goss]

Save you forking out £25. Do 17 P 5D+JL of 3(F)/31. Based at Ste Brieuc. Lt Walter Hoffa, Fw Günther Klauschenke, Gefr Johannes Schesjel. Force-landed Hurdwick Farm, Tavistock

[Frans A]

Chris,
Do you know who was the pilot?
Frans A

[Inthermals]

Chris,
Many thanks for that. I understand Tavistock museum are hoping to put on a small display and the information will be very useful.
All three crew survived only slightly injured and the farmer's wife made them a cup of tea. The aircraft was dismantled and taken to Bournemouth and put on display to raise war funds.
Bob Jones

[Peter Cornwell]

3.(F)/31 Dornier Do17P-1. Starboard engine disabled in attacks by S/L M.V. Blake and P/O B.B. Considine of No.238 Squadron during photo-reconnaissance training sortie over Plymouth and belly-landed at Hurdwick Farm, Tavistock, 10.30 a.m. FF Lt Walter Haffa, BO Fw Gustav Klauschenke, and BF Gefr Johannes Schlegel captured unhurt. Aircraft 5D+JL 100% write-off.

[Andy Saunders]

Coincidentally, I have just been helping Tavistock Town Museum with their creation of a special display related to this episode. I wonder if your query is related?

Here is 'Mindy' Blake and Considine posing with their claim.

If you have copies of their Combat Reports I'd like to see them as not in my files.

[Inthermals]

Andy,
It's a long story but it started with an enquiry to the sec. of Tavistock museum about a RAF Liberator that crashed near the town. That led to a conversation about the Dornier at Hurdwick Farm. I was vaguely aware of it having flown gliders at nearby Brentor. I followed it up and got details from the RAF side but knew nothing about the Dornier and crew, hence my enquiry.
All I have are the 238 Sqn 540s for August 1940. I imagine you already have them; if not I can send them on. Incidentally, I see the Dornier was reported as a 215 but presumably that was later corrected.

[brewerjerry]

Hi
curious does anyone know if the dornier at the start of this film is the hurdwick farm dornier ?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=...&v=bLW09CSQB-w
cheers
jerry

[PMoz99]

I don't think so Jerry.
The emblem looks like III./KG253 / III./KG4 (9 seconds in) and the last letter of the a/c code looks like F or E (27 seconds in).
Peter