The Real KG200
Allied Aircraft Used by KG200
The German
Luftwaffe and Italian Regia Aeronautica captured over forty airworthy B-17s
and at least four B-24s. We only know the fate of a fraction of these aircrafts.
We do know that by early May 44, KG200 had at least four operational B-17s (three
Fs and one G), and 2 (probably 3) B-24 Liberators, a D and an H (and a J?).
Boeing B-17s
Boeing B-17F
User: 1/KG200 and 2/KG200(both part of I/KG200)
B-17F U.S.A.A.F. #41-24585 "Wulf Hound" formerly of the 303rd bomb
group, captured intact in December 42. Transferred from flight testing to KG200
for special ops, here in markings for flight testing and evaluation of fighter
interception tactics. For clandestine operations, this machine carried U.S.A.A.F.
markings...
or none at all.
Wulf Hound under new management, landing at the Rechlin test center prior to
delivery to I/KG200. This aircraft was lost on 6 April 1945 while on a low level
ferry flight when she hit a fog enshrouded hill in Bavaria.
Boeing B-17F
User: 1/KG200 and 2/KG200(both part of I/KG200)
This second B-17F was captured in 1943 but little is known of it except that
it was lost to an R.A.F. Mosquito night fighter near Frankfurt after making
a drop to the German troops encircled at Brest in the fall of 1944. It is seen
here being inspected by Luftwaffe officials at Orly airport near Paris shortly
after it's capture.
Boeing B-17F
User: 1/KG200 and 2/KG200(both part of I/KG200)
A third and better known KG200 B-17F was U.S.A.A.F. #42-30713 "Phyllis
Marie" from the 390th bomb group, captured intact on March 8th 44. This
was the only KG200 B-17 re-captured intact by the Americans. She was found on
the runway at Altenburg on May 4 1945 still bearing all of her markings except
for the crosses and swastikas.
Boeing B-17G
User: 1/KG200 and 2/KG200(both part of I/KG200)
This B-17G (unknown in origin) was captured in the spring of 1944, it was lost
to German flak in the closing days of the war trying to evade the advancing
allied armies.
Aircrews of I/KG200 posing in front of the unit's B-17G being prepared for a
flight. This particular aircraft was painted in night (dark gray) mottled camouflage.
The design on the nose appears to be a goose carrying a person, probably symbolizing
the aircraft's role in ferrying agents. This particular B-17 was accidentally shot down by German flak on 6 April 1945 killing all on board.
Three other B-17Gs were found at Orly airport near Paris, they were being cannibalized for spare parts to keep this one flying.
Some of the more impressive sorties by KG200 using it's B-17s were to the Balkans from Weiner-Neustadt, to Ireland from Bordeaux, or again to the Algerian desert from Marseille setting up secret refueling sites. A plan was devised to join up with returning 8th Air Force B-17s and shoot them down while in the landing pattern. One of the Luftwaffe pilots for one such mission was Unteroffizier Schubert, who when he approached an American squadron, was met by all of the gun turrets pointed at him! He elected to abort the mission and returned to base under KG200 fighter escort. The American formation leader became suspicious when the unidentified and odd colored B-17 failed to answer radio calls.
_________________________
Consolidated B-24s
Consolidated
B-24D
User: 1/KG200 and 2/KG200(both part of I/KG200)
"Blonde Bomber II"
This 98th bomb group B-24D U.S.A.A.F. #41-23859, damaged and off course after
a raid on Naples on 20 February 1943, mistook the Sicilian airfield at Pachino
for Malta and made a forced landing there. It was repainted with Italian markings
for pictures but was soon on it's way to the Luftwaffe evaluation center and
was eventually taken on strength by KG200 and for some reason, retained it's
original desert pink color. It was found on the ramp at Rechlin heavily damaged
by 8th Air Force fighter bombers.
Italian airmen inspecting this unexpected gift shortly after it's landing still
bearing Allied markings
The Blonde Bomber
herself
Blonde Bomber 2 in
Italian markings shortly before its flight to the Rechlin Luftwaffe Test Centre
Consolidated B-24H
User: 1/KG200 and 2/KG200(both part of I/KG200)
"Sunshine"
This 449th bomb group B-24H accidentally landed at Venegono airport in Italy
in April 1944. Sunshine ended up at Rechlin only to end up with KG200. Below
are German propaganda pictures, the crewmen in American uniforms are actually
Germans acting out a surrender scene for the benefit of the German propaganda
ministry. This aircraft was lost to German flak on 6 April 1945 while on a low
level ferry flight from Hildesheim to Bavaria trying to stay ahead of the advancing
US Army.
Consolidated B-24J
User: 1/KG200 and 2/KG200(both part of I/KG200)
If anybody has any information on this aircraft, please send it to me.
_________________________
Russian Aircraft
Petlyakov
Pe-2
Along with the SB-2, the Pe-2 was widely used on the eastern front by KG200
for a wide range of covert missions. The advancing German army captured so many
of these nimble little aircraft that many were sold to the Finnish Air Force.
Tupolev SB-2
KG200 flew many Tupolev
SB-2s. Like the Pe-2, so many of these aircrafts were captured by the advancing
German Army that many were sold to Axis allies such as Finland.
Luftwaffe ground crews inspecting a captured SB-2
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