Jump to content

1944 Neuleiningen Douglas DC-3 shootdown

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1944 Neuleiningen Douglas DC-3 shootdown
Shootdown
Date24 September 1944 (1944-09-24)
SummaryShootdown
SiteOver Neuleiningen, Nazi Germany
Aircraft
Aircraft typeDouglas C-47 Dakota III
OperatorRoyal Air Force
RegistrationKG653
Flight originRAF Pershore
1st stopoverCagliari Elmas Airport
Last stopoverRAF Castel Benito
DestinationKarachi
Passengers20
Crew3
Fatalities23
Survivors0

On 24 September 1944, a Douglas C-47 Dakota operated by the Royal Air Force was shot down over Neuleiningen by a Messerschmitt Bf 109 after it veered off course into Germany, killing all 23 occupants on board.[1]

Accident

[edit]

The flight took off from RAF Pershore at 3:30 local time. Mid-flight, it encountered poor weather (dark low clouds, heavy rain, thunder, and lightning) and entered Germany.[2] Later, a Messerschmitt Bf 109 piloted by Julius Meimberg of the Luftwaffe attacked the C-47, firing at its right engine.[3] The pilot then performed a split S, but the wing tore off and it crashed near Neuleningen, killing all 23 occupants.[1][3][4]

Victims

[edit]

The occupants on board were:[2]

  • Flight lieutenant R. Korer (pilot)
  • Pilot officer L. A. Veary (navigator)
  • Sergeant G. Beckoff (wireless operator, gunner)
  • Corporal J. E. Allen
  • Leading aircraftman L. I. Beach
  • Leading aircraftman O. E. D. Bergen
  • Leading aircraftman R. T. Burden
  • Corporal W. H. Campbell
  • Leading aircraftman J. A. R. M. Chevrier
  • Leading aircraftman J. R. M. Couturier
  • Corporal J. Cumming
  • Leading aircraftman F. R. L. Gates
  • Leading aircraftman Good
  • Sergeant W. F. Hughes
  • Corporal H. J. Hunter
  • Leading aircraftman F. L. Kristensen
  • Leading aircraftman W. J. S. Lundy
  • Leading aircraftman D. J. MacDonald
  • Aircraftman 1st class J. D. McVie
  • Corporal L. H. Moreau
  • Leading aircraftman F. W. Sargeant
  • Leading aircraftman J. C. Sutherland
  • Leading aircraftman H. S. Watson

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas Dakota III (DC-3) KG653 Neuleiningen". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Crash of a Douglas C-47A Dakota III in Neuleiningen: 23 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Nackterhof: Heimatforscher finden Flugzeugteile an Dakota-Absturzort". Rheinpfalz (in German). 9 February 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  4. ^ Memberg, Julius (1 November 2002). Feindberührung: Erinnerungen 1939-1945 (in German). Neunundzwanzigsechs. pp. 290–291. ISBN 978-3-9807935-1-3.