Do17P 1.(F)/123 lost 17/11/39

[Brian]

Hi guys

Seeking identities of crew and any additional information regarding loss.

Cheers
Brian

[Melvin Brownless]

Hi Brian,

Do 17P Wnr.3578 lost bearings and blown off course due to bad weather conditions, force-landed with port engine damaged at Consurgerne, near Bolzano, Italy.

Crew:

Lt. Werner Vranken
Ofw. Friedrich Mende
Uffz. Martin Pietras

All survived and returned to the Staffel

Note: Oblt. Werner Vranken was killed on the 05.11.40 during a courier flight in a Bu 131 Wnr.4494, he baled out and parachute failed and he fell to his death. The reason for baling out is unknown, maybe engine trouble?

Oblt. Friedrich Mende and Fw. Martin Pietras are missing in action, they were shot down in Me 110C-5 Wnr.2306 (4U+XH) during a recon mission to Hull on the 08.08.41. The victors were F/Lt. R. H. Thomas and Sgt. H. Bowman of No.129 Sqdn.

Hope this helps!

Kind regards,

Melvin

www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com

Photos attached show Vranken, Mende & Pietras which come from my 1.(F)/123 archive.

[Brian]

Thanks Melvin

Since Italy was 'neutral' at the time, were the crew and aircraft interned, even briefly?

Cheers
Brian