Do-18 loss, October 17th 1939?

[wwrsimon]

Hi all

Can anyone confirm the ID and unit for the Dornier Do-18 shot down by Gladiators of 607 Squadron over the North Sea on Friday October 17th 1939?

I've read that it was 8L+DK from 2./KuFlrGr 606 - is this correct? And what does the 'KuFlrGr' abbreviation stand for?

Many thanks

Simon

[Adam]

According to the KTB for Gen.d.Lw.b.ObdM/O.Qu the aircraft was shot down by flak from an English destroyer off Berwick on the 17th. It's observer was Oblt.z.S Salloga and the aicraft's WNr was 809.

KüFlGr = Küstenfliegergruppe = Coastal flying group

[Peter Cornwell]

Simon,

Alternatively:

2./KüFlGr. 606 Dornier Do18D-3 (0809). Shot down during search mission for missing Ju88 of 2./KG30 by Gladiators of B Flight, No. 607 Squadron,and ditched 70 km east of Berwick 2.00 p.m. BM Uffz Kurt Seydel killed, FF Fw Paul Grabbet and BO Oberlt zur See Siegfried Saloga both captured wounded, BF Oberfunkmaat Hilmar Grimm captured unhurt. Aircraft 8L+DK 100% write-off.
The survivors were rescued by the Polish destroyer 'Grom'. Wreckage thought to be this aircraft was located by German search aircraft and sunk on 22 October. A Junkers Jumo 205 engine recovered from the sea 30 miles north-east of the Tyne and said to have originated from this aircraft is displayed in the North East Aircraft Museum at Sunderland.

[bill norman]

And there's a three-page account of the incident in my Luftwaffe Losses over Northumberland & Durham, 1939-1945 (Pen & Sword,2002), my last six copies of which I have for sale at the reduced price of £12.00 (including UK postage).
Bill Norman (website www.billnorman.co.uk).

[wwrsimon]

Thank you for the very helpful replies Gents.

I do actually have your excellent book Bill, but I just plain forgot to look it up in there. Please accept my apologies!

Regards

Simon

[wwrsimon]

Hi

Further to this query:

Can anyone tell me if KuFlrGr 606 used a unit crest/badge on its Do-18s in 1939? I know that some others units had one either side of the front engine. If 606 did indeed carry one, what did it look like?

And by any chance does anyone have any idea what colour the individual aircraft letter D might have been?

Many thanks

Simon

[obdl3945]

Hi, Simon...

Given that the machine was used by 2.Staffel, the I/D letter should have been red.

If you have the Rolfe & Ketley publication on Luftwaffe emblems, illustration number 635 on page 61 refers: an eagle with raised wings clutching Britain and pulling with its beak (rather dangerously) at northern Scotland... perish the thought! Britain and Ireland are shown green, outlined in white around the south-facing coastlines. The shield on which it is all set is halved horizontally, with yellow on top and blue below.

Regards,

Paul

[wwrsimon]

Originally Posted by obdl3945

Hi, Simon...

Given that the machine was used by 2.Staffel, the I/D letter should have been red.

If you have the Rolfe & Ketley publication on Luftwaffe emblems, illustration number 635 on page 61 refers: an eagle with raised wings clutching Britain and pulling with its beak (rather dangerously) at northern Scotland... perish the thought! Britain and Ireland are shown green, outlined in white around the south-facing coastlines. The shield on which it is all set is halved horizontally, with yellow on top and blue below.

Regards,

Paul

That's excellent Paul - thank you for a very comprehensive reply!

Regards

Simon