Do.17Z-2 Werknr 3387 4./KG3 lost 2nd Nov 1940

[Hans Nauta]

Dear researchers,

On 12th November 1940 the body of Gefr Walter Gräser washed ashore on the Isle of Texel, The Netherlands. He was buried two days later at the cemetery of Den Burg and after the war re-interred at Ysselsteyn.

He may have belonged to the crew of Do.17Z-2 5K+BM Werknr 3387 of 4./KG3, piloted by Lt Fritz Breuer, which was lost on 2nd November 1940.

Can somebody acknowledge this?

And if I'm on the right track with this loss, what are the names, functions and fate of the other crew members?

Thanks in advance,

Hans Nauta

[Peter Cornwell]

Hi Hans,

Yes, you are correct. 4./KG3 Crew as follows; Pilot: 51591/62 Lt Fritz BRÄUER missing, Gunner: 53577/597 Uffz Hans BLUHM missing, W/Op: Obergefr Eduard GREIL missing, Gunner: Gefr Walter GRÄSER killed.

[Hans Nauta]

Dear Peter,

Wow, that's a fast answer! From your answer it seems that there was no Beobachter amongst the crewmembers?

Best regards,
Hans Nauta

[Peter Cornwell]

Hans,

Seems so. BLUHM described as Bordschutze & GRÄSER as Heckschutze in the Namentlicheverlustmeldungen.

[Hans Nauta]

Dear Peter,

Thanks for your answer!

Regards,
Hans

[Stig Jarlevik]

Guys

I am puzzled by the date 2 November.
According to Foremanand his BoB the forgotten month this happened on November 1st!! Can you confirm 100% this really happened on the 2nd??

Cheers
Stig

[Peter Cornwell]

Stig,

Both the QGM returns & NVM state this loss was on 2 Nov 1940.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Peter

Cheers
Stig

[Paul Watson]

Dear Researchers,
According to records held at RAF Wattisham in Suffolk, England a Dornier 17Z bomber based in Belgium and flown by Lt Fritz Breur and crew dropped a stick of 10 bombs at 07.45H on 1st November 1940. The bombs started detonating in the married quarters before sweeping across the administration site and ending near the hangers. 11 servicemen were killed and 19 injured. My own father was amongst the injured. He never fully recovered and died in 1976.
The Dornier was shot down over the North Sea off Orfordness at 08.00H by a Hurricane fighter. The dead RAF servicemen are buried in a mass grave at Hitcham church. A service is held each year.
I presume there is confusion over the actual date the Dornier was shot down and the date it was reported missing.
Does anyone have information about the Hurricane?

Paul Watson

[Peter Cornwell]

Thank you Paul. Certainly John Foreman seems to have satisfied himself that this was the aircraft shot down by Sgt SEWELL of No.17 Squadron on November 1 (Cf 'The Forgotten Months' p19/20) but I have no information to confirm so. In fact, two independent contemporary documents suggest otherwise, as per my post of June 7 last. Incidentally, SEWELL only claimed a Do17 'damaged' having lost it in cloud off Orfordness after his attack. It was subsequently confirmed as destroyed, possibly on the evidence of coastal or naval observers, but more likely due to radio intercepts picking up distress calls.