III/KG 100 Losses, 4 October 1943

[Theron P. Snell]

I am looking to document the losses of III/KG 100 during an air attack on Convoy UGS-18 in the Mediterranean on 4 October 1943; Do. 217's used Hs 293 bomb, sinking one allied freighter and damaging three others. According to M. Griehl in "Donier Do 217-317-417: An operational History," at least four Do 217's were lost, including one piloted by Hauptmann Molinnus that crashed upon landing at istres.

I would like to identify the aircraft in the attack, the aircraft shot down and the names of the aircrews. At least two survivors were rescued by British escorts.

Where can I look, and who can I contact?

Theron P. Snell
snell@rli-net.net

[Jaap Woortman]

According to Ulf Balke's Kampfgeschwader 100>>Wiking<< page 269, 393, at 4.10.1943:
Do 217E-5, 6N+CC, Werk Nr.5660, Stab II./KG 100 at Istres, Absturz, crew killed.
FF Hptm Heinz Molinnus, Kdeur.
Bo Ofw Paul Masuchai
Bf Ofw Herbert Pfitzner
Bs Stfw Johann Leitner
The plane crashed after the operation for unknown reasons.

But also Do 217E-5, 6N+GM, Werk Nr.5637 from 6./KG 100 at Mittelmeer. Reason unknown. Crew:
FF Obln Wolfgang Böttger, vermisst.
Bo Uffz Friedrich Bachl, vermisst.
Bf Fw Alfons Kezar, vermisst.
Bs Uffz Kurt Suchart, Gefangenschaft.

Besides the plane from Molinnus three more Do 217s crashed during touch down.
WNr.5412 II./100 Bruchlsndung 20% Fl.Pl.Istres.
WNr.5602 II./100 Bruchlandung Bruch 10% Fl.Pl.Istres.
WNr.5645 II./100 Bruchlandung Bruch 25% Fl.Pl. Salon de Provence.
II./KG 100 had attacked a convoi at dawn at the North African coast. The freighter "Fort Fitzgerald" (7133 ton) was hit by a Hs293 and sank. Three other freighter were damaged by Hs293. One of them was "Samite" (7219 ton).

Jaap