ZG 26 & 76 on March 6, 1943, USAAF Raid on Berlin
 

Hello:

I would like to confirm the information that I have so far as well as the answers to a couple of questions that I have about these two units that were involved with defense during the USAAF March 6, 1943 raid on Berlin.

(1) From what I have so far, the units were:

ZG 26/ II & III & ZG 76/ I & II

(2) I know that the aircraft that were flown was the Bf110 but what versions were they, I think they were the G2?

(3) I have seen pictures of the Bf110 both with/with out the MG151/20 belly gun packs, would these have been fitted to the a/c during this time? Also, were these always fitted or were the gruppes/staffels set up where perhaps some of them would have these fitted and others not. I read that with the JG units, some of the Me 109G's in a gruppe/staffel would be fitted with the under wing cannons/rocket launchers while others in the same gruppe/staffel wouldn't be.

Thank you in advance and I am still checking on this as well.

Michael

Re: ZG 26 & 76 on March 6, 1943, USAAF Raid on Berlin
 

On March 6, 1943, the 8th AAF attacked Lorient and Brest.

Re: ZG 26 & 76 on March 6, 1943, USAAF Raid on Berlin
 

Yes, I just noticed my typo. I'll correct and re-post.

Michael

ZG 26 & 76 on March 6, 1944, USAAF Raid on Berlin
 

Hello:

I would like to confirm the information that I have so far as well as the answers to a couple of questions that I have about these two units that were involved with defense during the USAAF March 6, 1944 raid on Berlin.

(1) From what I have so far, the units were:

ZG 26/ II & III & ZG 76/ I & II

(2) I know that the aircraft that were flown was the Bf110 but what versions were they, I think they were the G2?

(3) I have seen pictures of the Bf110 both with/with out the MG151/20 belly gun packs, would these have been fitted to the a/c during this time? Also, were these always fitted or were the gruppes/staffels set up where perhaps some of them would have these fitted and others not. I read that with the JG units, some of the Me 109G's in a gruppe/staffel would be fitted with the under wing cannons/rocket launchers while others in the same gruppe/staffel wouldn't be.

Thank you in advance and I am still checking on this as well.

Michael

Re: ZG 26 & 76 on March 6, 1944, USAAF Raid on Berlin
 

Hello,

on March 6th 1944 :

II./ZG 26 had some Me 410 losses in area of Magdeburg, Döbernitz, Brandenburg, Bernburg.

III./ZG 26 started at 11.23 direction Magdeburg with 9 Bf 110.
In the area of Letzlinger Heide they attacked a B-17 formation, claiming one P-51.
Two of the Bf-110 returned due to technical problems to Wunstorf, two because of damages taken while combat (one to Wunstorf, the other landed in Magdeburg), the other 5 were shot down (5 KIA).

Hope this helps
pilot05

Re: ZG 26 & 76 on March 6, 1944, USAAF Raid on Berlin
 

Hi Michael,

ZG 76 flew Bf 110 G-2, Stab and I. Gruppe involved

ZG 26 flew Me 410 A-1/U4 (II. Gruppe) and Bf 110G-2/R6 (III. Gruppe)

ZG 76 losses:
Stab: one plane lost, 1 KIA, 1 WIA
I. Gruppe: 3 planes lost, 3 KIA, 3 WIA
claimed 2 B-17s

Unconfirmed presence of III. Gruppe, 3 WIA airmen, in 3 planes. Possibly training flight?

ZG 26 losses:
II. Gruppe: 8 planes lost, 3 KIA, 5 WIA
claimed 10 B-17s
III. Gruppe: 5 planes lost, 5 KIA, 4 WIA

Equipment of these units was diverse. Me 410s were fitted with Mk 108, but as well BK 5 canons, Bf 110s with BK 5s, WGr. 21 rocket launchers, and others...

hope this helps

Re: ZG 26 & 76 on March 6, 1944, USAAF Raid on Berlin
 

My Father, Lt. Cecil Manning of the 4th FG 335 FS was involved in combat with 110's on March 6, 1944. He later claimed 2 distroyed. His A/C P-51 43-6887 was hit from return fire and he became a POW. Any information on this account will be greatly appreciated.

Re: ZG 26 & 76 on March 6, 1944, USAAF Raid on Berlin
 

The best to approximate the opponent would be to put on map areas with marked claims and losses locations for both sides...good luck

Re: ZG 26 & 76 on March 6, 1944, USAAF Raid on Berlin
 

Many thanks to those that replied to my posting, the information that you all supplied was very helpful to me.

Peter: From what you wrote regarding the various aircraft flown and their armament, it would appear that I was correct in my assumption that a/c in a gruupe/staffel might be armed in various manners. For instance, the Bf110 from one unit might have the under wing rockets and belly gun pack while the same type of a/c from the same unit might only be using its on-board (nose) guns.

Thank you all again.

Michael

Re: ZG 26 & 76 on March 6, 1944, USAAF Raid on Berlin
 

Sure Michael,

Each Gruppe might have different aircraft in use, each Staffel might have different Rustsatze or Umbausatze applied.
regards