Dornier Do 24 losses at the Northsea in 1943.

[Jaap Woortman]

Dear friends,

I am looking for information about two Dornier Do 24 losses at the Northsea.
One was shot down by Beaufighters at July 27th, 1943 and the other was lost over the Northsea at October 8th, 1943.
That's all I know. Who can help?
Looking forward for your reactions,

Jaap Woortman

[Seaplanes]

I have the following info about these two aircraft:
27.07.1943 Do 24 T-3 W.Nr. 3212 KO+KB of 4. Seenotstaffel Norderney. Missing while on an ASR-mission from Norderney to an area north of Ameland. The entire crew of six were also reported missing.
Ofw. Walter Giese (F), Uffz. Heinrich Specht (B), Uffz. Walter Hanke (Bf), Ofw. Karl Logemann (Bm), Gefr. Ernst Hartl (Bm) and Obgefr. Andreas Christiansen (Bs).

08.10.43 Do 24T-3 W.Nr. 0098 DJ+ZX of 2. Seenotstaffel. Missing while on an ASR-mission in Pl.Qu. 334-433/05 Ost. The entire crew of six were reported missing. Oblt. Harald Mehlhorn (F + St.kap.), Fw. Erwin Jürgens (B), Fw. Eduard Becker (Bf), Ofw. Paul Koaslabon (Bm), Obgefr. Horst Mahraun (Bs) and Gefr. Harald Husler (Bs).

Do you have more details as to the reason for these two aircraft being lost ? You mention something about one being shot down by a Beaufighter. Any details on this ?

[Brian Bines]

Jaap from LW Q.m's list:-

1/ 27th-July 4/Seenot. North Ameland Do 24 KO+KB 3212

Ff. F. Walter Giese
B Uffz. Heinrich Specht
Bf. Uffz. Walter Henke
Bm Ofw. Karl Legemann
Bm Gef. Ernst Hartl
Bs Ogef. Andreas Chritiansen

crew all missing

2/ 8th-Oct 2/Seenot PlQu 3345/46 Do 24 DJ+ZX 098

FF. Oblt Harald Mehlhorn St.Kap
B Fw. Erwin Jurgens ( u has umlaut)
Bf Fw Eduard Becker
Bm Ofw Paul Kuaslabon
Bs Ogef Horst Mahraun
Bs Gef Harald Husler

crew all missing

NB microfilm hard to read but I think details are correct,

regards

Brian Bines

[Jaap Woortman]

Thanks guys for your quick reaction!

Originally Posted by Seaplanes

Do you have more details as to the reason for these two aircraft being lost ? You mention something about one being shot down by a Beaufighter. Any details on this ?

I just found out that the Do 24 of 27-7-43 was shot down at 05.59 hrs by a Beaufighter from Coastal Command.
For 8-10-43 a Do 24 was destroyed, by 4 Spitfires on a rescue mission between 171.11 and 18.20 hrs, 30 miles West of IJmuiden.
I have to check this location with your information.

Jaap

[Brian Bines]

Is there any indication as to whether the ASR mission on the 8th-Oct. was in connection with the loss of the KG2 Do217 crew of Ofw. Paul Treiber. the Dornier was shot down by a Beaufighter of 68 Sqd. at 21.24 hrs, on the 7th, the combat report gives the position as approx. J0030 which I believe is some 80km. west of Den Helder,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Hans Nauta]

Dear all,

With regard to the loss on 8th October I can add details from the ORB's.

ORB 278 Sqdn (AIR27/1605)

08.10.43
Anson
EG543
F/Sgt T. Whittaker
Sgt R. Fleming
F/Sgt D. Swindell
W/O H. Esthop
16.45-18.45 hrs

Details:
A/c was ordered to search position J.0909 for two Americans. Proceeded on course and escort Nelko Bleu and Black sections were supposed to intercept about 30 miles off the coast. They did not do so and a/c carried on to position and made two sweeps accross it and as there was still no sign of the escort, returned to base. Some R/T from escort was heard. Nothing was seen at all. Landed at dusk. On return to base received report that the escort had arrived at search position 3 minutes ahead and had destroyed a Do.24. Visibility 10 miles. Sea moderate. Cloud 3/10 at 2,000 feet.

ORB 402 Sqdn (AIR27/1777)

08.10.43
Spitfire AA880 P/O L. A. Moore
Spitfire AA753 F/Lt J. A. De Neverville
Spitfire RE686 P/O L. Woloschuk
Spitfire RP445 F/O W. G. Dodd
16.50-17.45 hrs

Details:
Air Sea Rescue from Coltishall to escort Anson of 278 squadron on air sea rescue duty in position WJ.0909 about 65 miles east of Yarmouth. After flying 20 minutes on course our a/c sighted another a/c flying west at sea level and closed to investigate. They recognized this a/c to be a Do.24. They immediately dropped long range tanks and attacked. All four pilots gave bursts and strikes were seen from their fire and the enenmy a/c caught fire at the port and starboard engines. It crashed into the sea at a very low height, dissappeared and no crew were seen. The a/c is claimed as destroyed, shared by all four pilots.

Summary of events:
Whilst doing A.S.R patrol Can J15470 F/O W. G. Dodd, Can C1346 F/L J. A. H. G. De Niverville, Can J17857 P/O L. A. Moore (USA) and Can J18360 P/O L. Woloschuk sighted a D0.24, diving to attack in turn, each secured strikes on the enemy a/c and P/O Moore returning for a second attack shot away the port wing. The a/c plunged into the sea and there were no survivors. Each pilot engaged 1/4 of an a/c destroyed. There were no casualties or damage to Squadron a/c.

(AIR27/1777)

Regards,
Hans Nauta

[David Pausey]

On the 27-7-43 254 Sqn claimed a Do24 N of Frisians 05:59hrs, Beaufighter "V" S/L Filson-Young. Aircraft slightly damaged.

Regards

David

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Brian and Seaplanes,

I noticed differences in spelling of the crew names of DJ+ZX and therefor I've checked the entries at the NVM:

Uffz Paul SLABON
Obgefr Horst-Hagen Mahraun

Regards,
Hans Nauta

[Brian Bines]

Hi Hans,

Thanks for the name corrections,

Regards

Brian

[Jaap Woortman]

Guys,

Thank you all for your contributions.
It is very much appreciated.
According to the VDK database all these persons have no known grave and are still missing.

Jaap Woortman
Secr. Dutch Study Group Airwar 1939-1945.