German (?) Seaplane crash in Kythera 1943

[leonikos]

Hello,
I've trying to locate any reports about a German seaplane crashing at the port of Kapsali in Kythera in 1943. At least two airmen were killed and were buried on the little fort overlooking the incident. When the German garrison left the island the bodies were taken by them (or at least that is the local version of the story). No traces of the seaplane can be found since the locals were able to break it up and reuse parts of it. Actually I've seen parts of wing aluminium used as well covers on the island. Can anyone help?

[leonikos]

UPDATE!!!
New information about the crash talks about seven (7) dead, which were buried at the fort and were recovered much later. The date given is prior to Christmass of 1943. Also a second s;imilar seaplane went aground with minor damage and was repaired "in situ" with quick drying cement. The locals raided the first wreck for the rubber (used for soles on shoes) but the Germans recovered most of it. The local reporting the incident talked about a "...four engined seaplane...". That could mean it is either a BV 138 from the SAGR 126 in Skaramangas or, possibly, a Ju 52 SEE from the Trasporter Group stationed in Phaleron, although tecnically its a trimotor plane. I have been trying to locate any aircrew losses for the period but cannot find any, as well none for any planes in the area. All I have located is some small part of the planes wing, which the local youngsters removed and is now used as a well-cover in one of the islands villages.

[leonikos]

Finally a breakthrough! It was Do-24/T3, markings DJ+MZ, of Seenostaffel 7. It crashed on the beach on 23rd December 1943, while trying to land. Three dead, three injured. All the info came from: http://www.dornier24.com/ where I found pictures of the aircraft. The eyewitness had it wrong. The locals still have debris parts as it was beyong salvaging and so the local garisson "allowed" the plundering.

[Andy H]

Thank you for the updates

Regards

Andy H