Thunderbolts and Bodenplatte
 

In his book "To Win the Winter Sky" Danny Parker states that on the morning of 1st January 1945 Messerschmitts of III./JG 53, heading for Metz-Frescaty (Y-34) airbase, were bounced and badly mauled by Thunderbolts, losing nine machines. Unfortunately, the author doesn't identify the P-47 unit involved.
My guess is that these were machines of 367th FS, 358th FG "Orange Tails", which were stationed nearby (at Toul, A-90). On 1st January 367th FS was credited with 13 victories. No other P-47 squadron scored so high on that day (besides 390th FS of 366th FG, which was fighting back at Asch). Could anyone provide any further info?
Thanks in advance.

Re: Thunderbolts and Bodenplatte
 

The 367th FS of the 358th FG made claims for 109s of JG53 north of Homberg.

ref: Bodenplatte - Manrho/Putz. see Chap 10 for more details.