KG 200 B-17 Losses February 1945

[Oliver1966]

Dear community,

I´m in search for some information concerning losses of B-17 from KG 200 in German Air Force service during February 1945.

In the GQM-reports I found the case of a crash-landed B-17 from I./KG 200 in Sonthofen at 25th February 1945.

In view of a mysterious B-17 crash in the northern Westerwald area at 3rd February 1945, I would like to check whether this aircraft could have been one of the KG 200.

Best regards, Oliver

[Nick Beale]

The following books discuss the operations by captured B-17s:

Hans-Heiri Stapfer: Strangers in a Strange (Squadron/Signal Publications Inc., 1988)

Günther W. Gellermann: Moskau Ruft Heeresgruppe Mitte (Bernhard & Graefe Verlag, 1988)

Geoffrey J. Thomas & Barry Ketley: KG 200, the Luftwaffe’s Most Secret Squadron (Hikoki Publications Ltd., 2003)

I remember, long ago, seeing a photo of the B-17 at Sonthofen in either Flugzeug or Jet&Prop magazine but I can't remember which issue it was.

These are deciphered Luftwaffe messages that mention German use of the B-17:

KV 612

Berlin approval given by 8th [April 1944] for ferrying and test flight of a Baker one seven from (strong indications Athens) to Finsterwalde at 1850 feet on direct course.

KV 2749

I./KG 200 addressed on 30th [April 1944] at Kalamaki. Mention made that arrival of aircraft A3+CE indefinitely delayed owing one engine change. Secondly, I./KG 200 addressed (strong indications Berlin area) on 26th. Comment: this Gruppe specialises in dropping agents.

KV 3973

According GAFSE on 10th [May 1944] English and American parachutes to be safeguarded when found as they were urgently needed for operations by Axis agents.

KV 4136

On 10th [May 1944], a communication concerning Russian radio beacons addressed to airfield Rosioride Vede (comment: about 65 miles WSW Budapest) for I./KG 200 (comment: addressed Kalamaki on 13 April).

HP 5142

According to 7 JD early 31st [October 1944]: a Boeing 17 with captured aircraft marking to be ferried from Rangsdorf to Echterdingen at 13.00 hours. It would probably take off on operations at 16.00/November 1st, crossing front about 17 hours on a level with Belfort, returning on 2nd about 03.30 hours, flying back over front at same place. Any changes in times owing weather would be advised.

[Rottler]

Hello Oliver,

in the GQM loss returns are listed:
13 Feb 1945
9.2. I./KG 200 Flugplatz Echterdingen B-17 230146 100% 7 KIA, 1 wounded, 1 KIA (Bodenpersonal)
16 Mar 1945
3.3. I./KG 200 Ort unbekannt B-17 210390 100% 11 missing
19 Mar 1945
25.2. I./KG 200 Bauchlandung Sonthofen B-17 43-38648 10%.

Regards
Leo

[John Manrho]

There is also ADI(K) Report No. 226/1945 concerning the loss of the B-17 A3+BB on 3.3.1945 near Luvigny.

[zorglub]

Originally Posted by John Manrho

There is also ADI(K) Report No. 226/1945 concerning the loss of the B-17 A3+BB on 3.3.1945 near Luvigny.

Hello John ,
Could you give please more details about this report ? A3+BB was previously 42-3190 , 94th BG , lost in Normandy on 14 July 1943 .
Is there any picture of this B-17 with KG200 ?

[Oliver1966]

Thanks to all for your help and a lot of good information concerning the B-17losses of the KG 200...

Best regards,
Oliver

[Steve Coates]

Originally Posted by zorglub

Hello John ,
Could you give please more details about this report ? A3+BB was previously 42-3190 , 94th BG , lost in Normandy on 14 July 1943 .
Is there any picture of this B-17 with KG200 ?

It's an Allied Interrogation report. No photos but a lot of interesting content. Many years ago, a friend of mine retyped this report as back then we were working from low(ish) quality microfilm. I've put a scan up here for download - seven days only.


https://we.tl/t-UVNezGJxCB

[zorglub]

Wow ... Many thanks Steve .
Just a slight correction from the account : A3+BB was a F model , not a G .

[Von Alles]

See also here :
http://www.crash-aerien.news/forum/w...465-10125.html

[zorglub]

Originally Posted by Rottler

Hello Oliver,

in the GQM loss returns are listed:
13 Feb 1945
9.2. I./KG 200 Flugplatz Echterdingen B-17 230146 100% 7 KIA, 1 wounded, 1 KIA (Bodenpersonal)
16 Mar 1945
3.3. I./KG 200 Ort unbekannt B-17 210390 100% 11 missing
19 Mar 1945
25.2. I./KG 200 Bauchlandung Sonthofen B-17 43-38648 10%.

Regards
Leo

Hello ,
From Leo the plane lost on 3 March 1945 was 42-3190 ( slight error in reported serial number ) .