Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 200's captured B-17, 1943

Caption     Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 200's captured B-17, 1943 ww2dbase
Photographer    Unknown
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B-17 Flying Fortress   Main article  Photos  Maps  
Added By C. Peter Chen
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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Commenter identity confirmed C. Peter Chen says:
18 Jan 2009 12:09:17 PM

Under USAAF service, this aircraft was named "Wulf Hound". It was missing in action on 16 Oct 1942. As the photo suggests, the aircraft was repaired by German forces and put into service.
2. Commenter identity confirmed Bill says:
8 Jun 2010 02:48:37 PM

The Luftwaffe used captured B-17's for
different missions. Some were used to train
fighter pilots and develop tactics that could
be used against it.
Some were marked in Luftwaffe colors, others
were left in original USAAF markings that
would follow US bomber formations, radio info
also used as a decoy damaged B-17 would fly
in formation and than be attacked by fighters
or by the German crewed B-17.
Captured B-17's were used for clandestine
operations, peneration of Allied territory,
dropping of agents and resupply of German
bases.
The most well known Luftwaffe unit to operate
the B-17 was KG/200. In Luftwaffe service, it
was designated Dornier Do 200.
3. Commenter identity confirmed Bill says:
8 Jun 2010 02:52:38 PM

The Japanese captured three B-17's along with
other Allied aircraft.
The bombers were flown to Japan, they were tested and evaluated, and developed tactics
to be used against it.
4. Commenter identity confirmed Bill says:
8 Jun 2010 05:04:55 PM

Information on above photo:

Facts About "Wulfe Hound"

Missing in action December 12,1942

Boeing B-17F assigned to 303rd Bomb Group

Plane landed in hey field near Melum,France
Germans transported it to the Netherlands it
was repaired and was flown back to Germany.

Repainted with Luftwaffe insignia and coded DL+XC.
Tested at Rechlin, and was opernational in
Luftwaffe service Mar.17,1943.

Transfered to KG/200 at Rangesdforf,Germany
flew secret missions between May & Jun 1944
5. Commenter identity confirmed Bill says:
10 Jun 2010 08:15:48 PM

Under New Management:

Photo of Wulf Hound being tested at Rechlin
the Luftwaffe Test and Evaluation Center.
Wulf Hound and other captured B-17's were used for deep penetration missions against
the Allies.
Wulf Hound was assigned to Stammkennzeichen
coded DL+XC, later transfered to Rechlin for
tests and transfered again to KG/200 in Sept.
1943 and coded A3+AE.
The Germans were able to operate several dozen B-17's, special teams were sent to
recover or to salvage fuel and spare parts
to keep its fleet of bombers operational.
Wulf Hounds last mission,was on April 6,1945
she was lost on a low level ferry flight,and
crashed into a fog enshrouded hill in Bavaria
Germany.
The last operational mission was flown on
May 2,1945.
The fate of other captured B-17's at wars end
some were captured by Russian forces, the
Germans destroyed them, to keep the bombers
from falling into enemy hands, others were
cannibalized for spare parts and some were
found by advancing US troops.
6. Commenter identity confirmed Bill says:
1 Jan 2011 12:43:08 PM

LUFTWAFFE CLANDESTINE OPERATIONS / KG 200

KG 200 was one of several squadrons, that operated from multiple bases in occupied Europe.
Estimated to have had over 100 aircrew and operated over 30 different types of captured
Allied aircraft.

The 1st Squadron received its orders from the
SD / Security Service, the Nazi Party's
Intelligence Service.
The 2nd Squadron flew electronic warfare and special missions, flying cargo to Japanese
held North China.

Most missions were flown at night, KG 200 had
the most experienced pilots and navigators in the Luftwaffe. At one time KG 200 operated
40 B-17s, B-24s and Pe-2s these aircraft were tested, and studied for their technical
analysis and capabilities.

Most missions, the aircraft flew in Luftwaffe
markings for special missions some aircraft flew in their original Allied markings flying
during the day, over Allied territory, crews had to report their exact position and altitude when flying over Axis territory as not to be intercepted by Luftwaffe fighters.

During the last days of WW2 KG 200 retreated
to Southern Germany, documents were destroyed
about operations carried out during the war.

Did You Know...

At one time, the Luftwaffe operated both the
B-17 and B-24 bombers, and were the second
largest user of the aircraft outside of the USAAF.
The Germans were able to recover damaged bombers put them back into airworthy status
salvage others for usable parts, or rebuild
others, from parts to make flyable machines.

The Russians recovered Allied aircraft as well, some were damaged beyond repair, some were repaired and returned to the Allies others remained in the USSR for study and tests.
Both B-17 and B-24 Bombers operated with the 203rd & 890th Soviet Heavy Bomber Regiment, the B-17 remained in service until 1948.

During WWII the Russians also interned three B-29s, the aircraft were later copied and put into production as the Tu-4 (Bull)
7. Commenter identity confirmed Bill says:
3 Apr 2013 06:49:05 PM

BOMBER WING 200: KG/200

KG/200 flew all strategic and covert operations such as aerial reconnaissance, agent drops, all special delivery flights to Japan, experimental aircraft testing.

This unit was made up of several squadrons and operated both captured Allied and German aircraft.
One hundred experienced flight crews flew these special missions, aircraft were serviced and maintained by mechanics and technicians.

German aircraft used were the Arado Ar232, Arado Ar196, Arado Ar240. Dornier Do335, Dornier Do18, Dornier Do24. Junkers Ju88,188, Junkers Ju290, Ju390 and Ju52 transport aircraft. Heinkel He111, He115 He177. and the Si204
8. Christine M Langell says:
4 Jul 2022 04:47:00 PM

I think I have an original photo that looks the same. Maybe u would want it?

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