This illustrated study charts the development and combat history of
the Dornier Do 217 Units, the Luftwaffe's workhorse bomber during World
War II.
The Dornier Do 217 had a much larger bomb load capacity and had
considerably greater range than the Do 17, which it replaced in
frontline service from early 1941. Although initially used simply as a
bomber, later variants were developed that allowed the Do 217 to
undertake dive-bombing and maritime strike roles. In order to perform
the latter mission, the Do 217 was modified to launch glide bombs -
units employing these pioneering weapons enjoyed considerable success in
the Mediterranean from the autumn of 1943. Indeed, during the course of
these operations the Do 217 became the first aircraft in military
aviation history to deploy a precision-guided bomb in combat in the form
of the 'Fritz X' radio-guided, free-fall weapon, which sank the Italian
battleship Roma shortly after Italy capitulated in September 1943. The
Do 217 served on all fronts and also performed tactical operations,
either direct ground assault or anti-shipping strikes during the Battles
of the Atlantic and Normandy. This versatile aircraft was also converted
to become a nightfighter, seeing considerable action in the Defense of
the Reich until war's end.
This illustrated study explores the design, development, and the many
different deployments of the Do 217, charting its role, as strategic
bomber, reconnaissance aircraft, and torpedo-bomber, among others.
