Do 217 08-19-44

[Xerumbe]

Hello. August 19, 1944 near Auzon (Haute Loire, France) a Do 217 (Epr. Kdo./KG 100) is shot down by a patrol of 8 planes of VF 74. In the wreckage are recovered 8 bodies: 7 soldiers and 1 civilian (Fw Wilhelm Krag (pilot), Obgr Bruno-Harald Möller (obs), Obgr Kurt Winter (radio), Gerhard Obgr Lehnis (gun), FW Karl Lärm (mech); Obgr Fritz Richter (gun) and Obgr Hans Kordes (obs). It is reported an unknown civilian.. )

Can a Do 217 carry as many people?

Is it possible that this is not the right kind of plane?

Do you know more details on this plane ?

Thanx

[Nick Beale]

See here: http://www.ghostbombers.com/dragoon/190844.html

and here: http://www.ghostbombers.com/dragoon/usn19.html

[Xerumbe]

Thank you Nick. We have the same information. But I do not understand how a Do 217 can carry as many passengers... As you see in the crew list i wrote there were 2 gunners, 1 radio, 1 pilot, 2 mechs and one other crewman ...

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Xerumbe

Thank you Nick. We have the same information. But I do not understand how a Do 217 can carry as many passengers... As you see in the crew list i wrote there were 2 gunners, 1 radio, 1 pilot, 2 mechs and one other crewman ...

Units in south west France were evacuating their bases in a hurry, so these were not normal times and maybe they were willing to cram a lot of people into any available space.

[Chris Goss]

...and in 1944 was a common occurrence. Look at the Fw 200 which on 11 Oct 44 was evacuating personnel (many of them female) from Finland/Norway and which crashed due to being overladen near Bardufoss. 57 passengers and crew killed

[Xerumbe]

Thank you gentlemen for your skillful informations.

[mjbollinger]

In mid 1944 the surviving elements of III./KG 100 were ordered to relocate from Toulouse to Giebelstadt. The aircrews and some ground crewmen were flown out in the remaining aircraft. The other ground personnel attempted to make the journey overland, suffering losses of 300 personnel during that journey.

Given the circumstances, it would not surprise me if the aircraft were packed fully with eager Luftwaffe personnel hoping to get back to Germany.

[Nick Beale]

It's worth noting also that the 19th was the very day that the Germans pulled out of both Toulouse-Francazal and Toulouse-Blagnac, as well as the city of Toulouse itself. Their departure was accompanied by attacks from the local resistance units, so one can see why an overcrowded flight out might seem preferable to the overland route.