File:Parts from Dornier Do17 Z-10 Kauz II -R4+GK- (51681684262).jpg

c/n 2843 The Dornier 17 Z-10 was a night-fighter variant of the well known twin-engined bomber, using the ‘Spanner Anlage’ infrared detection system. This example was operated by Gruppe 2 of Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 (II./NJG 2), based at Gilze-Rijen in occupied Holland. On the night of 8th May 1941, it took off on a Fernnachtjagd (Long Range Night Hunting) operation over the UK. It was intercepted and shot down by Bristol Beaufighter IF ‘R2181’ which was operated by No.25 Squadron based at RAF Wittering and flown by Pilot Officer David ‘Tommy’ Thompson and his radar operator Pilot Officer Dennis Britain. The Dornier crew bailed out and the aircraft crashed at Carrington near Boston, Lincolnshire. The German crew were as follows:-

The Flugzeugführer (pilot) was Feldwebel Wilhelm Lettenmeier. He was killed because he bailed out too late, possibly because he was trying to control the aircraft while the other crew members got out. The Bordfunker (radio operator) was Unteroffizier Georg Herden. He bailed out successfully and became a prisoner of war The Bordschütze (gunner) was Unteroffizier Herbert Thomas. He bailed out but received serious injuries, later becoming a prisoner of war.

The remains of the aircraft were excavated in 1984 and some parts were returned to Germany, while these are among the sections which remain in the UK. Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire, UK