Dornier 217K-1 U5+CM 4620
‹ Return to Luftwaffe Crash Sites
Dornier 217 U5+CM 4620
All crew were killed when the bomber, one of a force of 49 Do217s of Kampfgeschwader 2 intent on laying mines in the Humber estuary, crossed the Yorkshire coast and crashed in farmland at Out Newton at just after 1 o’clock on the morning of 22 September 1943.
Two British servicemen were also later killed when attempting to make safe the parachute mines the Dornier was carrying.
According to Bill Norman (in Broken Eagles – Luftwaffe Losses over Yorkshire 1939-1945) the bomber had been at an altitude of just 50 feet as it made landfall. The Dornier was picked up by two searchlights and was returning fire when it crashed into farmland at a shallow angle.
CREW
Fw.Helmut Rumpff Pilot
Fw. Siegfried Vomweg Observer
Gefr. Arno Ehemann Radio op.
Obgfr. Kurt Stiegler Gunner
ROYAL NAVY bomb disposal team killed
Lieut. Commander Charles Graham Tanner
Able Seaman Percy Fouracre
see comment below regarding the names.
Below; This photo shows two Do217s of the same bomber group, KG2. Photo used with permission of Asisbiz
The text reads
AS A RADIO OPERATOR ON BOARD THE BOMBER – PART 2
Duty to the last
Two Dornier D0 217 Es of KG2 on 19 August 1942 during the Allied landing in Dieppe. In the foreground is Ofw Brendebach’s U5 + FN with the number 5532, having previously been marked P1 + TJ, and behind is Oblt Hankamer’s U5 + BM
Just seen this Ian, an interesting site with stories to match. Had no idea they sent aircraft over in such numbers for mining operations – they wouldn’t have been undetected in those quantities!
I think it is like you said about attacks on Hull, they continued in large numbers throughout the war on that side of the country. I have loads of books on Luftwaffe air raids to read though, got one for Christmas, a Luftwaffe crews perspective of the Battle of Britain. Mind you I also have a copy of Max Hasting’s book “Catastrophe: Europe Goes to War 1914” to read. And a cracking (if expensive) book about the civil defence of Britain during WW2, which was another Christmas present. But before I start either of them I am reading a history of the Berlin Wall. It’s a jolly Christmas in our home!
great to have the link through to Paul’s extensive post on this. flying at 50′ doesn’t leave room for any error .. one wonders if the pilot was blinded by the searchlights, poor buggers.
The land overlooking the Humber at Out Newton is the highest point above sea level in the Holderness area. If the pilot was flying straight and level across the Humber at 50ft altitude he would hit the farmland at a shallow angle as it rises before the plane.
Is the crew of killed at withernsea buried at German Cemetery on Cannock chase? I am there in Novemmber for Remembrance Sunday.
Can photograph the graves there if it helps the story.
Hi Trevor, I never looked into where the men are buried, I imagine they are at Cannock Chase? Have been there a couple of times but never looked for these graves.
If you do find them and photograph them please do email me your shots and I will add to the main text with a credit to you.
many thanks,
Ian
All four are men buried in Hull Northern Cemetery.
Also, the RN officer was Lt Commander Chalres Graham Tanner, not Peter.
thanks Nick, have amended that detail.