Date: 24th February 1944
Unit: 3 Staffel./Kampfgeschwader 2
Time: 10.33 p.m.
Type: Dornier Do 217M
Werke/Nr.722736
Code: U5 + CL
Location: Willesborough, near Ashford, Kent.
Pilot: Feldwebel. Werner Spiering. 57359/437 Captured badly injured.
Observer: Feldwebel. Heinrich Boegholz.57359/440 Captured badly injured
Radio/Op: Feldwebel. Martin Vogel. 57359/443 Killed in crash.
Gunner: Unteroffizier. Siegfried Erschwig. 57359/422 Captured injured.
Reason for loss:
This aircraft was first hit by A.A. fire and then attacked by F/Lt Berry and F/O Hopkins in a Mosquito Mk XII of No.29 Squadron. The starboard engine cut out and the aircraft went into a dive followed by the detachment of the tail unit. The remainder of the wreckage crashed almost vertically and burst into flames. Crew of four, one found dead in wreckage and three taken prisoner injured.
This crew had been together since July 1943 and claimed to have made 21 operational flights over England. All four hold the Iron Cross 1st & 2nd Class. The surviving crew also state that they had reached their objective and released their bombs over London.
The wreck of Fw. Werner Spiering’s Do 217 at Willesborough (via S. Parry)
Burial detail: Feldwebel. Martin Vogel now rests at Folkestone, Kent.
Research compiled by Melvin Brownless (A.R. Society)
Source: Blitz “Then & Now” Vol.3, A.I.(k) Report No.93/1944 and A. I.(g) Report.
