Incident Overview
Date: Monday 1 January 1945
Aircraft Type: Douglas Dakota III (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Royal Air Force – RAF
Registration Number: KG488
Location: Brussels/Evere Advanced Landing Ground B-56 –
ÿ Belgium
Phase of Flight: Standing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Component Affected: Approximately 40 aircraft, including 127 total aircraft, were lost during the operation.Approximately 40 aircraft, including 127 total aircraft, were lost during the operation.
On January 1, 1945, the German Luftwaffe conducted Operation Bodenplatte, a strategic air attack targeting Allied air forces in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. The operation involved a sustained strafing campaign utilizing Focke-Wulf Fw 190 and Messerschmitt Bf 109 aircraft.On January 1, 1945, the German Luftwaffe conducted Operation Bodenplatte, a strategic air attack targeting Allied air forces in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. The operation involved a sustained strafing campaign utilizing Focke-Wulf Fw 190 and Messerschmitt Bf 109 aircraft.
Description
On 1 January 1945, the German Luftwaffe launched an attempt to hit Allied air forces in Belgium, the Netherlands and France. Operation Bodenplatte as it was known among others targeted Brussels/Evere Advanced Landing Ground B-56. Jagdgeschwader 26 strafed the air base using Focke-Wulf Fw 190’s and Messerschmitt Bf 109’s. Of the 127 aircraft on the ground, 40 were reported lost. Among those four RAF Douglas Dakota’s (KG488, KG736, KG800, and KJ803).
Primary Cause
The Luftwaffe’s aerial bombardment was a deliberate attempt to disrupt Allied air operations and potentially cause strategic damage.The Luftwaffe’s aerial bombardment was a deliberate attempt to disrupt Allied air operations and potentially cause strategic damage.Share on:
