Seeking info or photos of I./KG3 Do17Z that FL in Belgium, possibly "near Melsbroeck," on 12.05.40

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

We're still trying to match photos with loss records for I./KG3 aircraft. Here's another one:

According to the revised EoE LW loss DB: "12 May 1940: I./KG3 Dornier Do17Z. Badly damaged in attacks by Sgt Boyer and Sgt Moulènes of GC III/7 near Blesmes and forced-landed in Belgium 1.15 p.m. No crew casualties. Aircraft 30% damaged but repairable."

There are several photos of a FL Do17Z of 1./KG3, 5K+EH, that displays the W.Nr.26__, possibly 2654 or 2634. One of the several photos of this a/c in our DB that originates from eBay carried the caption: "near Melsbroeck," which is a few miles NE of Brussels.

Does anyone have any information that would help us correlate the information and photos? If the reported FL on 12 May 1940 is not 5K+EH, does anyone have any other info or photos that might help us correctly identify what a/c it was, and/or place a correct date and full W.Nr. on the photos of 5K+EH?

Thanx for any help.

[Pieter H]

Hi Larry, I don't think the above May 12 I./KG3 loss and the 5K+EL match. The 12 May loss was after an attack on Blesmes train station in the St Dizier area. Of the three Dorniers of 3./KG3 that were intercepted by GC III/7 pilots the 5K+EL crashed near the St Dizier railway station (your other querie) and a second one "in Belgium", see above. However, a crash landing at Bruxelles or Melsbroek is then highly unlikely. The south-eastern part of the Ardennes near the Luxemburg border is the probable location.

If the location of the 5K+EH crash "near Melsbroek" is correct that was almost certainly after KG3 transfered to bases in Belgium. I./KG3 was based at Beauvechain/Goetenhoven/Le Culot from June onwards. During the Western Campaign KG3 never operated over central Belgium. So the 5K+EH crash was likely after that date.

Regards, Pieter