Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

Hi,

the following translation is from the Histavia website Histavia21.net

On 25 August 1944, the Americans warned that the Luftwaffe was conducting numerous transfers and convoying troops to the north and a large number of aircraft were on different databases German (Cognac, Bourges, Dijon) send several Squadrons play spoilsport.
14:20, the Hellshawks go on the attack.

First mission composed of 34 Thunderbolt P-47 of 365th Fighter Group "Hellshawks" Belly belly tanks equipped with tanks take off around 13:30 Balleroy in Normandy. It is split into two parts, the first heading in the Cognac region, the second consisting of the 388th Squadron and some elements of the 387th will head to the base of Dijon they will attack in three waves to 14h20.
The first flight "Red" Lt Col Donald E.Hillman perceive ten to twelve Junker 52 hidden under trees, but also a Fieseler Storch 156 and Bf 109 at the park. The first Ju 52 was burnt by four P-47.
The second flight "Red3" of 1st Lt Raymond B.Porter the 388th Squadron arrived in the wake of the first destroy a second Ju 52, but attacked by Flak large caliber which came into action, they could not linger. The winger Porter, Lt. William Chesney H.Mac be achieved by Flak shells of large caliber, and will have to parachute, the P-47 will be based on the spit.
Almost at the same time, Colonel Ray J.Stecker head of flight "white" 388th Squadron of the attack from the west, he will see the two Ju 52 is ground, a fire was a victim of the first wave of D E.Hillman, then another to the north, he set fire before the Fieseler Storch destroying a Ju 52 hidden in a hedge of shrubs at the end of the base.
Flak prevent unleashed a new password to redo the 3 flights made their way back, they will face Balleroy a little before 18:00, leaving Mac Chesney other adventures.
Placed at the intersection of the runway and taxiway full strafing, he was taken prisoner. September 1, utilizing an Allied attack, he managed to escape from the train taking him captive between Dijon and Auxonne and will be aided by French civilians Athée (Jeanne and Paul Cerf), then it will be taken into supported by the Maquis BDU 3 Périgny on Ognon and join the U.S. 7th Army 10 September 1944. Became Colonel of the USAAF, Mac Chesney returned to the Gold Coast from Pennsylvania in 1944.
18:40 Attack of the P-38 Lightning Major Rogers.
Two other American units will attack at the base of Dijon almost simultaneously, the 392th Squadron of the 367th Fighter Group of Major Robert C.Rogers and elements of the 370th Fighter Group from La Vielle.
Ten P-38 Lightning had taken off from the 392sq Criqueville in Normandy around 17:30, arrived on the scene around 18:35, they surprise from twenty to twenty-five Junkers 52 in full preparations for departure, the 392th Squadron will claim sixteen German aircraft destroyed and two damaged . Major Rogers destroy itself in five. Little information on the simultaneous action of the 370th FG devices who claim their five aircraft destroyed and damaged.
Several Junker and Junker 52 transport 88 Night Hunters were involved on the ground, some were in charge of transporting the ground level of Jgr 200, that of the other I/NJG2 based on Dijon from August 8, others carried the German railway, auxiliary nurses and the DRK (German Red Cross), some planes had embedded the way, and the opportunity injured in the bombing of the Lyon region ...
The attack is especially deadly, only two units were the insignia of the Red Cross, if you believe the notes of observations of the British.

The is part of this excellent site and has many loss listings and photographs

Bruce Lander