After being withdrawn from combat duties the Do 17s were relegated for use as glider tugs beginning in 1942 where they were used to tow gliders laden with supplies. The "First Group" of "Air Landing Wing (I./Luftlandegeschwader – LLG) 1" arrived too late to support the encircled German troops in the Stalingrad Pocket, but they did help to supply the 17th Army as it retreated into the Kuban in early 1943 with supplies delivered by DFS 230 gliders. Five Do 17s were lost during these operations between 29 January–30 March 1943. During October 1943, the Do 17s of "Luftlandegeschwader 1" helped resupply, and partially evacuate the German 17th Army from the Kuban. Some Do 17s were still being used by "Schleppgruppen" 1 and 2 ("Glider towing unit 1 and 2") in early 1945.