Soesterberg AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Soesterberg AFB, the airplane suffered an engine failure and crashed, bursting into flames. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Fw K. Tschepe, pilot,
Fw R. Brixius, radio operator,
Gfr A. Schweizer, mechanic.

Probable cause:

Engine failure after takeoff.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-4 in Driebergen: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

F8+AM

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Schedule:

Soesterberg - Soesterberg

MSN:

1199

YOM:

1941

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The airplane crashed for unknown reasons in Driebergen, about 8 km south of Soesterberg AFB. Three crew members were killed and a fourth was injured.
Crew:
Ofw A. Voigt, pilot,
Gfr E. Höpfer, observer,
Uffz H. Schulz, radio operator,
Ofw F. Schäble, mechanic.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-4 in Werkhoven

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

U5+TW

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Schedule:

Soesterberg - Soesterberg

MSN:

5467

YOM:

1942

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The crew was performing a local training flight at Soesterberg AFB. En route, the pilot encountered technical problems and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in a field in Werkhoven. All four crew members were injured.

Probable cause:

Unknown technical problem.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-4 in Den Dolder: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1942 at 0250 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

F8+DP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Soesterberg - Soesterberg

MSN:

5398

YOM:

1942

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The airplane was engaged in a combat mission when it was shot down by enemy fire and crashed in Den Dolder, nearby Soesterberg AFB. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Ofw H. Kopf, pilot,
Ogfr F. Freij, observer,
Fw W. Beck, radio operator,
Fw G. Wagner, mechanic.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a enemy fire.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-4 at Soesterberg AFB

Date & Time: Jun 7, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

F8+FM

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Soesterberg - Soesterberg

MSN:

5424

YOM:

1942

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The crew was completing a local training flight at Soesterberg AFB when the airplane crashed upon landing. Both crew members were injured.
Crew:
Ofw H. von Hagen, pilot,
Fw K.-H. Hertam, observer.

Probable cause:

Crew error.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7 Boston III in Soesterberg: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 20, 1942 at 0157 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Operator:

Registration:

W8268

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Bradwell Bay - Bradwell Bay

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The airplane departed RAF Bradwell Bay to attack the airbase of Soesterberg. Approaching the target, it was shot down by the German Flak and crashed. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Nicholas John Stabb, pilot,
F/Sgt George Merlyn Riches, observer,
P/O Dennis Duxfield, wireless operator and air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-2 at Soesterberg AFB

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1942 at 0205 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

U5+HN

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Soesterberg - Soesterberg

MSN:

1156

YOM:

1941

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The airplane was engaged in an operation to Norwich. It crashed for unknown reasons upon landing at Soesterberg Airbase and collided with a second Luftwaffe DO.217 (msn 5327). Both aircraft were destroyed. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-4 in Coneysthorpe: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

U5+KP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Soesterberg - Soesterberg

MSN:

1164

YOM:

1941

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The airplane departed Soesterberg AFB on an operation to York. Over the target area, it was shot down by a British fighter and crashed in Coneysthorpe. A crew was killed and three others became PoW.
Crew:
Lt Karl-Heinz Mühlen, pilot,
Uffz Otto Hacker, observer,
Uffz Fritz Kälber, radio operator, †
Fw Oskar Fußnecker, mechanic.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a British fighter.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-4 in Eemnes: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1942 at 1630 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

F8+AP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Soesterberg - Soesterberg

MSN:

5368

YOM:

1942

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The airplane departed Soesterberg AFB on a local test flight. For unknown reasons, it went out of control and crashed in Eemnes. Three crew members were killed and a fourth was injured.
Crew:
Uffz H. Feller, pilot, †
Fw H. Kiesler, observer, †
Gfr K. Reissenweber, radio operator,
Gfr K. Witschel, mechanic. †

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-4 at Soesterberg AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1942 at 2230 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

F8+FP

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Soesterberg - Soesterberg

MSN:

5364

YOM:

1942

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The crew departed Soesterberg AFB on a night reconnaissance mission. Upon takeoff, one of the engine failed and the airplane crashed. All four crew members were injured and the observer later died from injuries sustained.
Crew:
Oblt H. Schröter, pilot,
Ogfr R. Schmitt, observer, †
Ofw E. Schollmaier, radio operator,
Ofw G. Eilbrecht, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Engine failure upon takeoff.