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CAPTURED FLEET AIR ARM AIRCRAFT
Supermarine
Spitfire in Germna Luftwaffe Nazi markings
During the war it was inevitable that Allied aircraft would fall
into the hands of the Luftwaffe or its allies due to accidents , pilot error,
or from careful reconstructions of crashed aircraft.
 
Captured Allied Fighters were ferried from airfield to airfield to train
Luftwaffe pilots on combat techniques against certain types of Allied fighters.
Heavy bombers found their way to the secretive KG200 for various "black
operations" mostly behind enemy lines. The examples listed below were
used in various roles by the Luftwaffe and the Axis Forces.
Fairey ALBACORE
Albacore N4323 of 826 squadron strippped by FAA ground frew and left at
Ma'aten Bagush in the Rommel push in North Africa,
1942. Fate of aircraft in enemy hands not known.
Albacore X8941 of 828 squadron at Hal Far,
Malta failed ro return
on night ops 23/24 January 1942. The crew were taken POW by Italian troops.
The Albacore was captured by the Italians. The wreck was present at the
Stabilimento Costruzioni Aeronautiche, Guidonia,
June 1942.
Albacore X9154 of 821 squadron failed to return from a bombing raid on
enemy desert Landing Ground, force landed at Fuka and captured by the
Italians, 5 August 1942.
The crew were all taken POW by the Italians. The Albacore was repaired and
flown by 9th Gruppo/4th Stormo. The aircraft was eventually abandoned in Tripoli
unusable, 23 September 1942.
Fairey BARRACUDA
Barracuda LS547 of 831 squadron on HMS Victorious, failed to find ship
after special recce during ops, force-landed on the beach at Stave, Andoya,
Norway, 16 May 1944. Crew all taken POW by
the Germans. Fate of the aircraft unknown. This was the first intact
Barracuda landing in enemy territory.
Bristol BLENHEIM Mk
IV
Blenheims had been captured by the German forces. None were from the Fleet
Air Arm.
Brewster BUFFALO
Buffalo saw service especially
in the Finnish airforce. Eighteen B-339Bs were assigned to the Fleet Air Arm
for service in the Middle East. 855 Squadron conducted
brief deck trials aboard HMS Eagle during March of 1941. Some B-339Bs were
sent to Crete for service with 805 Squadron. All
flyable aircraft were evacuated to Egypt
the day before the German invasion of Crete on 20 May, 1941. However, at least one
unserviceable B-339B was left behind on Crete and was
captured by the Germans. No other Fleet Air Arm Buffalo are known to have
been captured by axis forces.
Buffalo Finnish markings wartime colour
photograph
Vought CORSAIR
Artists impression of captured Corsair in
German markings - What if scheme for Corsair by chaser one (ref)
Corsair JT404 of 1841 squadron. Involved in anti-submarine patrol from HMS
Formidable enroute to Scapa after Operation Mascot against the German
Battleship Tirpitz, in company with Barracuda of Wing Leader Lt Cdr RS
Baker-Falkner. Emergency landing in a field at Sorvag, Hameroy, near Bodo,
Norway on 18 July 1944. The pilot Lt
Mattholie taken POW and the aircraft captured intact with no damage. The
german authorities made attempts to get the pilot to explain how to fold the
wings so as to transport the aircraft to Narvik. Aircraft was ferried by boat
for further investigation. It is not known if the Corsair was taken to Germany.
This was probably the first Corsair captured by the Germans. Aircraft
is listed at Rechlin for 1944 under repair.
Also
see ezboard Luftwaffe Experten Message Board about captured aircraft
Douglas DAKOTA
Captured Dakota saw service in the Luftwaffe. None of the Fleet Air Arm
Dakota were captured by Axis forces.
 
Captured Douglas DC-2, NA+LA, used by the
German General Christiansen as his personal Transport in 1940. This DC-2 was
at Schiphol, Amstrerdam airport, previously flying with KLM with the civil
codes PH-AKT.
Fairey FULMAR
Fulmar X8700 of 807 squadron of HMS Argus force landed near Cluminzata,
south Portugal.
Crew interned, November 1941. Fate of aircraft not known.
Gloster GLADIATOR
Captured Gladiators saw service in the German, Italian and the Finnish air
forces. It is not known if any of the Fleet Air Arm Gladiators serving in the
campaigns of Norway
or the Western Desert
were captured by Axis forces.
1.jpg)
Gladiator NJ+BO Wr Nr 45829 Nazi captured by
ErgGr(S)1
Within the US National Archives in
Washington is a captured document listing the war materiel captured by the
Luftwaffe by 1 September 1941 amongst which was listed 13 (other sources
however claims that it was 15) Gladiators. Eleven of these were recorded as
'condition I/II' (airworthy or minimal damage) and two in 'condition III'
(repairable at unit level). It is probable that spares such as Mercury
engines were also captured. On available evidence, including known delivery
dates, it is therefore now almost certain that some, if not all, of the
Luftwaffe's Gladiators came from the ex-Latvian contract.
The Gladiators were used by
Erganzungsgruppe (S) 1, (Erg. Gr. (S) 1), and Erg. Gr. (S) 2. Erg. Gr. (S) 1
was formed from the Fliegerschule der Luftwaffe (S) 1 (Fl. Sch. D. Lw) in
April 1942. This unit was in turn formed from the Segelflugschule der
Luftwaffe in September 1940. Erg. Gr. (S) 1 consisted of a Stab and five
Gruppen, the unit was disbanded in September 1944. The unit used an
assortment of German and captured aircraft, and was equipped with the
following; Arado Ar 65, Avia B534, DFS 230, Fw44, Fe58, Gladiator MkI, Grunau
Baby, He45, He46, He111, Hs126, Ju87, Kranich, Letov Smolink S328, Mu13 and
Me321.
Erg. Gr (S) 2 was formed from the
Schleppschule der Luftwaffe in April 1942. The Schleppschule der Luftwaffe
was in turn formed in March 1941 in Stuttgart-Echterdingen. The unit was
based in Leipheim and in Obertraubling. The unit had one Stab and four
Gruppen. And were disbanded around September 1944. Aircraft consisted of;
Arado Ar65, Avia B534, DFS 230, Gladiator MkI,
Grunau Baby, He45, He46, He111, Hs126, Kranich
and Letov Smilink S328.
Also during the Norwegian campaign, of
April 1940, some of the FAA, RAF and Norwegian Air Force Gladiators made
force-landings on several frozen lakes. This was due to either combat damage
or running out of fuel. Some of these may have been transported back to Germany as war booty.
The Luftwaffe's Gladiators were apparently
Mk Is with fixed pitch wooden airscrews and were
employed by Erganszungsgruppe (S) 1 from
Langendiebach near Hanau during 1942-3. Erg.Gr. (S)
1 ('S' for Schlepp - towed) was a training
Gruppe giving primary and operational training for assault glider pilots.
Training was mainly conducted on the DFS230 glider. For glider towing duties
however the unit used a wide variety of types, including German Arado Ar65s
and Heinkel He46s, Czech Avia B-534s and the larger Letov S-328 and at least
10 Gladiators, usually described as 'Glosters'.
Four (the ones with known Werke Nr.) of the
Gladiators are known to have been destroyed or
significantly damaged in service with Erg.Gr.
(S) 1 during 1942-3. The survivors were all authorised for deletion from the
Luftwaffe inventory on 16 March 1943.
Source:
Die deutschen Gladiatoren - Karl Kössler, 1980
Modell Magazin 7/80 kindly provided by Lars
Larsson
Gloster Gladiator Home
Page - Alexander Crawford.
Iron Cross Gladiators: The Story of the
Gloster's Luftwaffe Service - Andrew Thomas & Peter
Green kindly provided by Andrew Thomas.
Luftwaffe use
of the Gloster Gladiator during the Second World War (Håkans aviation
page)
Douglas A-20 HAVOC
Some of the Dutch aircraft were captured by the Japanese and appropriated
into service. No FAA aircraft are believed to have been captured.
Hawker HURRICANE
Captured Hurricanes saw service in the Luftwaffe. At least one FAA
Hurricane was left behind by retreating forces in the Western
Desert.
Hurricane I/tropical W9359 of 806 squadron at Haneish, was involved in a
sweep over El Adem on 23 November 1941 and was involved in a dogfight with
Bf109s. The Hurricane force-landed in the desert, and the pilot was rescued
by retreating troops. The fate of the Hurricane in occupied territory is not
known.
Grumman
MARTLET/WILDCAT
Martlet AM975 of HMS Illustrious forced landed half mile south of
Carrigans, Co Donegal, Eire on 21 December 1941. Pilot of 881 squadron
interned. Fate of Martlet aircraft not known.
Blackburn SKUA
L2987 of 800 squadron of HMS Ark Royal. Ran out of fuel escorting
hurricanes to Malta,
shot down by ack ack, crash landed on the beach at Punta Palo, Siracusa,
Sicily 17 November 1940. With Stabilimento Costruzioni
Aeronautiche (Aircraft Construction Establishment), Guidonia
on June 1942
Supermarine SPITFIRE
Captured Spitfires saw service especially in the Luftwaffe. It is believed
that none of the Fleet Air Arm Spitfires were captured by axis forces.
Fairey SWORDFISH
Swordfish 4A captured after the raid on Taranto
11-12 November 1940. It was salvaged from the sea. Captured damaged but
essentially complete. The fabric covering on the fuselage is completely
missing following removal by the Italians, and the wing tips of the lower
wing and the upper wing in poor condition. Possibly salvaged from the sea as
a danger for navigation (photo in the French Aero Journal
No:9)
Swordfish 4A in Italian hands following the Taranto raid November 1940 (ref REGIA AERONAUTICA. Il
settore mediterraneo, I fronti africani, Balcani e fronte orientale, Colori e
insegne, Periodo prebellico e fronti occidentali, La guerra in Italia,
L'aviazione legionaria. 1973/76. Emiliani, Ghergo,
Vigna/Intergest/Albertelli. Information also courtesy of Jan van den
Heuvel).
Swordfish 5B of 825 squadron under command of Lt Cdr JB Buckley RN
captured in either Belgium
or northern France
probably after the raid over France
29 May 1940 whilst
providing cover during the Dunkirk
evacuations when five of the squadron aircraft were lost including with the
CO.
Captured Swordfish 5b of 825 squadron in May
1940 near Dunkirk in France or Belgium (Ref: Jet & Prop Flugzeugzeitschriften, issue
4/00. Karl Kossler. Reader's forum.
Swordfish K8403 (E4M with the "Savoy's
Cross" on the tail) of 813 squadron from HMS Eagle shot down in raid on
Maritza airfield, Rhodes, 4 September 1940. The aircraft force-landed on Scarpanto
island. Crew all taken POW. The captured Swordfish was at Guidonia
in December 1940. It was kept serviceable till the middle of 1941 using spare
parts coming from captured Swordfish K8422 ("4H").
 
Captured Swordfish K8403 photographed at Guidonia in December 1940.
Swordfish of 813 squadron shot by Fiat CR 42 in bombing raid on Maritza
aerodrome, Rhodes. The aircraft was recovered from the
sea by the Italians. Crew all taken POW.
Swordfish K8422 of HMS Eagle lost on raid on Maritza airfield, Rhodes,
4 September 1940. Crew all
taken POW by Italians. Aircraft captured and made serviceable. Flown by 68th
squadriglia/34th Gruppo Bombardamento for liaison duties until June 1941.
Spare parts coming from captured Swordfish K8422 ("4H") were used
to keep Swordfish K8403 serviceable till mid 1941.
Swordfish L2860 of 825 squadron involved in night attack from HMS Furious
on Trondheim, 22 September 1940. Force landed and
overturned Gesunden (Stugen?) in Jamtland on the shore
of Lake Krycktjarn, Sweden.
Crew interned. Fate of aircraft not known.
Swordfish L7689 (coded B) hit by gunfire after torpedoing Motor Vessel,
and crashed onto the beach at Hammamet, Tunisia and captured, 12-13 April
1941. Crew PO CH Wines and LA LM Edwards both interned as POW. (photo in the
french Aero Journal No:9)
Swordfish L9724 (coded "G3L" on the tail) of 812 squadron on
operation from North Coates, tail hit by flak in bombing raid on Barley
airfield, near Dunkirk. Lt TG
Bentley and Sub Lt ARJ Davis were captured. Aircraft crashed and overturned Dunkirk,
15 November 1940. Crew
taken POW. Fate of aircraft not known. Photograph of crashed swordfish on
coast in German papers about that time.
 
Captured Swordfish L9724 of 812 squadron near Dunkirk, 15 November 1940 (Photo Ref: Ries, Karl. Dora Kurfurst Und Rote 13,
Band 2: Bildband: Flugzeuge Der Luftwaffe 1933-1935. : Verlag Dieter
Hoffmann, 1964. First edition. Hardcover).
Captured Swordfish L9724\3L of 812 squadron
near Dunkirk (ref: Luftwaffe Colours, Volume One, Section 4:
Jagdwaffe Attack in the West, May 1940 Crowborough, England: Classic Publications, 2000
Swordfish P4073 of 700 squadron of HMS Malaya ran out of fuel whilst
shadowing the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst, 8 March 1942. Aircraft and crew interned in Spain.
The Swordfish was put on the strenth of the Spanish airforce as HR6-1 in 6 December 1943 with 54
Escuadrille, Puerto de le Cruz, Teneriffe, Canary Islands.
Retired March 1945 at Las Palmas,
Gran Canaria.
Swordfish P4127 (coded 4F) of 820 squadron on HMS Ark Royal, involved in
bombing raid on Cagliari, Sardinia.
It was hit by ack ack. The aircraft force-landed on the enemy airfield at
Elmas, Sardinia, 2 August 1940. The crew were taken POW and the aircraft
captured intact. Caproni repaired at Elmas and fitted with an Alfa Romeo 125
engine. It was then taken to the Stabilimento Construzioni Aeronautiche, Guidonia
27 February 1941. It was
still listed as being there 6 April
1942 (see photo below. Others photos exist of its wings being
unfolded).
Swordfish P4127 of 820 squadron captured at
Bacu Abis, Sardinia, 2 August 1940.
Swordfish W5843 of 813 squadron at North Front, Gibraltar,
anti-submarine sweep lost bearings force landed between Ras el Farea and Pota
Pescadores, Spanish Morocco. 30
April 1942. Crew all interned. Fate of aircraft not known.
Hawker TYPHOON Mk IB
Captured Typhoons saw service in the Luftwaffe. None of the Fleet Air Arm Typhoon
were captured by axis forces.
Supermarine WALRUS
Walrus captured at Fuka (Fuka-Matrouh, Egypt)
and used by Italian Regia Aeronautica's frontline Units.(ref: Dimensione
Cielo, Italian fighters of WWII).
Vickers WELLINGTON
Mk IC
Captured Wellingtons saw service
in the Luftwaffe. None of the Fleet Air Arm Wellingtons were captured by axis
forces.
LUFTWAFFE
KG 200 took part in many covert missions
against the Allies and became the subject of much postwar speculation. Kampfgeschwader
(Battle Wing) 200, or KG
200
Within the US National Archives in
Washington is a captured document listing the war materiel captured by the
Luftwaffe by 1 September 1941 and the aircraft condition recorded as:
'condition I/II' (airworthy or minimal damage)
'condition III' (repairable at unit
level).
RECHLIN
Rechlin Airfield, German experimental
aircraft test site, Germany experimental trials at Rechlin the plane was
transferred to the main Luftwaffe research and development facility at
Rechlin. During tests conducted in Rechlin, advantages and
disadvantages of the new plane were discovered. Firing tests were
conducted on the firing ground of the Rechlin test facility in Tarnewitz. The
first training was conducted under the supervision of specialists from the
Rechlin establishment on these planes. Flights were made from Rechlin-Roggenthin
airfield.
ITALY
Stabilimento Construzioni Aeronautiche, Guidonia
List of captured Allied aircraft flown by
the Italian Regia Aeronautica during WW II
Amiot 351
ANF les Mureaux
113/117
Bloch 152
Bloch 210
Breguet Bre 521 Bizerte
Breguet Bre 693
Bristol Type 142M
Blenheim
Bristol Type 156
Beaufighter
Bucker Bu 131
[ex-Jugoslav]
Fairey Swordfish
Farman F.222
Gloster Gladiator
Hawker Fury
Hawker Hurricane
Liore-et- Olivier LeO
451
Lockheed P-38
Lightning
Loire-Nieuport LN 410
Morane- Saulnier
M.S.230
Morane- Saulnier
M.S.406
North American NA-57
Potez 63.11
Rogozarski PVT
Rogozarski SIM-XIV-H
Zmaj Fizir FN
Ref: Chris Dunning's Courage Alone
and Letecki + Kosmonaut 11/95
Centro
Sperimentale di Guidonia that in 1941 made the first list of Yugoslav
planes, list published by D.E. May
REFERENCE WEBSITES & PUBLICATIONS
Aero Journal No:9 (in
French). Includes photos of captured Swordfish.
"Beuteflugzeuge
der Luftwaffe 1933-45" website - This resource sets out to list and
illustrate every captured aircraft flown in service or tested by the
Luftwaffe between 1933-45. This includes detailed listings of the types
tested and pressed into service.
Caged Eagles: Captured
Allied Aircraft Markings- focuses entirely on US types
Captured
Planes of the World by the International Captured Group
Dimensione Cielo, Italian fighters of WWII.
Ezboard
Luftwaffe Experten Message Board about captured aircraft
Italian Air Force Discussion
Group
Allied planes captured in WWII
https://209.61.188.48/discussion.cgi?id=63687&article=1548
Kampfgeschwader (Battle
Wing) 200, or KG 200
Luftwaffe Colours, Volume One, Section 4:
Jagdwaffe Attack in the West, May 1940 Crowborough, England: Classic Publications, 2000
Ries, Karl. Dora Kurfurst Und Rote 13, Band
2: Bildband: Flugzeuge Der Luftwaffe
1933-1935. : Verlag Dieter Hoffmann, 1964.
First edition. Hardcover.
Sturtivant, R. & Burrow, M (1995) 'Fleet
Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945' Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1995 ISBN: 085130 232 7
Unsere
Luftwaffe - Deutsche Flz. im Dienst der Allierten/Beuteflugzeuge
Text in German
Created: 3-04-2001, Last Modified 02-06-2005
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