1944 Neuleiningen Douglas DC-3 shootdown

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1944 Neuleiningen Douglas DC-3 shootdown
Shootdown
Date24 September 1944 (1944-09-24)
Summary Shootdown
SiteOver Neuleiningen, Nazi Germany
Aircraft
Aircraft type Douglas C-47 Dakota III
Operator 437 Sqn RCAF
Registration KG653
Flight origin RAF Pershore
1st stopover Cagliari Elmas Airport
Last stopover RAF Castel Benito
Destination Karachi
Passengers20
Crew3
Fatalities23
Survivors0

On 24 September 1944, Douglas C-47 Dakota serial number KG653 operated by 437 Squadron of the Royal Canadian 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]

Contents

Accident

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

The occupants on board were: [2]

References

  1. 1 2 Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas Dakota III (DC-3) KG653 Neuleiningen". Aviation Safety Network . Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Crash of a Douglas C-47A Dakota III in Neuleiningen: 23 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives . Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  3. 1 2 "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.
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