Date: 7th February 1943
Time: 22.10 hours.
Unit: 6 Staffel / Kampfgeschwader 2
Type: Dornier Do 217 E-4
Werke/Nr. 5315
Code: U5 + GP
Location: Wroxall Farm, St. Martin's Down, near Ventnor, Isle of Wight.
Pilot: Feldwebel Rudolf Salz 58215/188 Killed(Born 12.09.1919 in Gross Wirschleben.)
Observer: Unteroffizier Walter Jendis 58215/189 Killed(Born 13.02.1920 in Bochum.)
Radio/Op: Gefreiter Hugo Gröschel 58215/190 Killed( Born 30.10.1921 in Siebeldingen.)
Gunner Gefreiter Fritz Teubner 58215/191 Killed(Born 13.10.1922 in Königsberg.)
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft took off from Eindhoven on mine laying operations. It is understood that the aircraft flew low over Cowes, heading in a South-Easterly direction. It then hit the top of a high hill, slid about 500 yards down the slope, breaking up as it went, and finally caught fire. The bodies of the four members of crew were found near the wreckage. A minute or two before the crash a mine, presumably jettisoned by this aircraft, fell at Z.9799, but did no damage.
Source: A.I.(k) Report No.69/1943.
From the book (Battle in the skies over the Isle of Wight) by H. J. T. Leal the following is reported regarding the loss:
February 7th. Mid-evening. A Dornier Do 217E-4 of 6./KG2 was on a mine laying mission near Chale and St. Catherine's Point. Flying low for some unknown reason, the pilot came inland. As it went over Rew Down it dropped its remaining mine. This exploded near Appuldurcombe House, Wroxall, causing considerable damage. The house at the time was occupied by troops. The 217 came down still lower, almost to rooftop height, flew up the valley over Wroxall Farm and at 2030 hours crashed into St. Martin's Down, killing the crew of four.
Mr. Keith Humber has described to me how his aunt & uncle were sitting indoors at the time. First they heard the bang of the exploding mine, followed by the roar as the aircraft flew over, followed by the crash. Four bodies were lying on the ground. Fearing that there might be someone trapped in the aircraft and that it might suddenly burst into flames, Mr. Humber's uncle crawled into the wreckage to see if there was anyone left inside. There was no-one!
The crew of the Dornier Do 217, Fw Salz stands 3rd from left, we do not know in which order the other crew members are named. Can you assist?
The pilot, Fw Rudolf Salz pictured in flying gear. The grave of Uffz Walter Jendis at Cannock Chase
Burial detail:
All four crew members lie at the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffs.
Fw Salz. Block 8. Row 1. Grave 24.
Uffz Jendis. Block 8. Row 1. Grave 2.
Gefr Gröschel. Block 7. Row 10. Grave 249
Gefr Teubner. Block 7. Row 10. Grave 248.
