Dornier Do217 U5+GL near Muston.
On 3rd February 1943 the crew of this aircraft and others flying with it were detailed to bomb Sunderland. As this aircraft was arriving over the area off the Yorkshire coast it was picked up by ground radar. At the same time
the crew of a Beaufighter of 219 Squadron based at Scorton who were undertaking a training exercise and in the control of Seaton Snook were informed of the radar trace. It's crew, F/Lt John Willson and F/O Bunch, were ordered
break off the training exercise and to patrol at 11,000 feet to await the approaching aircraft. Somewhere around the Yorkshire coastline, in the Redcar / Tees area contact was made with the Dornier. The Dornier headed south
and the Beaufighter gave chase. It later opened fire in the Filey area at 20.30hrs. The Dornier was badly damaged and was later found to have crashed at Muston near Filey. Upon investigating the crash site no bodies were
found and it was thought the crew had either baled out but had then drifted out to sea or had baled out over the sea and the aircraft flew back inland unoccupied. The crew had probably drowned but no trace was ever found
of them. National Archives file AIR40/2412 reveals little else.
Pilot - Obfr Karl Muller. Missing.
Observer - Fw Heinz Lewald. Missing.
Wireless Operator - Uffz Friedrich Fruth. Missing.
Gunner - Uffz Heinrich Wilmsen. Missing.