Date: 1st November 1942
Time: 01.15 hours.
Unit: 2 Staffel./Kampfgeschwader 2
Type: Dornier Do 217E-4
Werke/Nr.4255
Coded: U5 + PK
Location: Great Pett Farm, Bridge, near Canterbury, Kent, England.
Pilot: Oberfeldwebel. Peter Metzenroth. 57358/? – Killed.
Observer: Obergefreiter. Siegfried Mogenburg. 57358/? – Killed.
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier. Wilibald Mayerhofer. 57358/? – Missing.
Flt/Eng: Johann Lex. 57358/? – Missing.
REASON FOR LOSS:
Started from Gilze Rijen While operating on a night attack on Ashford, this aircraft was attacked by a night fighter, broke up in the air, the tailplane with 16 ft. of fuselage were found about half a mile from the main crash. The bulk of the aircraft dived into the ground at steep angle following which bomb or bombs exploded, forming a 30 ft. crater, wreckage being scattered over a wide area. A number of 20 mm AP or ball strikes were found in the wreckage.
Markings: U5+PK marked on both the fuselage and on the fin, the latter also having the number 4255. Engines BMW 801, starboard no. 80436 dated 16.3.42.
Armament: one Oerlikon FF 20 mm and one MG 131 recovered. Five, sixty round 20 mm ammunition drums recovered. Equipment: remains of F-Great radio altimeter found.
This aircraft was shot down by P/O Pepper in a Beaufighter of No. 29 Squadron.
Two views of the wreckage and engine from Metzenroth's Dornier Do 217.
Burial Details: Two of the crew now rest in the German War Cemetery at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, England. Pilot: Ofw Peter Metzenroth +. CC 9/39. Obs; Ofw Siegfried Mogenburg +. CC 9/39.
Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with thanks to Nigel Parker.
