Need Help Identifying German Fighter Squadron
 

On February 19, 1944 the B-25 bombers of the 321st Bomb Group flew in support of the Anzio beachhead. The formation was attacked by a large group of enemy fighters, and one ship was shot down.

Here is the description from the war diary:

"Groups of 6/8 to 15/20 E/A attacked in pairs after leaving target. ME-109’s, FW-190’s and one ME-210 and Vacchi 202 reported—ME’s in majority. Most attacked from rear, and some ME-109’s attacked near the target after dive-bombing. Seven ME-109’s and two FW-190’s destroyed. Two ME-109’s probably destroyed."

An historian is writing a book about the incident and would like to know if anyone can identify the German squadron(s) that were involved.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Need Help Identifying German Fighter Squadron
 

According to Christopher Shores and others' A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940 - 45, Volume IV, pages 537 - 541, the 321 BG (i.e., 446th, 447th and 448th BS) had its worst day since the beginning of operations, a year earlier, losing seven B25s aircraft that day.

Five B25s were claimed by the Flak, and three by II./JG 77 (4. and 6. Staffel), equipped with the Bf 109 G-6s. So, there was some over-claiming there, either by the Flak or by the fighters.

The American bomber gunners seemingly overstated their effort, with only one Bf 109 G-6 and one Fw 190 A-6 of II./SG 4 that may have been lost to the bombers defensive fire.

The rest of the German losses that day were attributed to the Spitfires, collisions and accidents.

Regards,
Sinisa

Re: Need Help Identifying German Fighter Squadron
 

Hi Dan

Not sure from where you get that only one B-25 was shot down during the morning mission to attack troops in the Cisterna/Anzio area.

The unit's various squadrons lost five B-25s to either enemy fighters or enemy Flak (one seemingly late afternoon)

German B-25 claims were submitted by
Flak: five aircraft
JG 77: three aircraft (one by 4.Staffeln and two by 6. Staffeln)

321 BG also had the extremely bad luck to loose two aircraft which vanished during ferrying. A very, very sad day for this unit.

Source: MAW Vol 4

B Rgds
Stig

PS: You got me there Sinisa :)

Re: Need Help Identifying German Fighter Squadron
 

Stig,

Just about I did :). However, it is the same source and same conclusion, so either comments can stand on their own.

Regards,
Sinisa

Re: Need Help Identifying German Fighter Squadron
 

Thank you all so much for the help. I should have specified that the War Diary I quoted was specifically for the 446th Bomb Squadron of the 321st Bomb Group. It did not cover losses in the other squadrons.

The historian I am helping is focused on the loss of a particular ship 41-30551 "Pink Lady" MACR-2577 on the morning mission on Feb 19, 1944.

Re: Need Help Identifying German Fighter Squadron
 

Dan

There are a few who likes to try and identify who shot down who during aerial combats. Not me. I usually find that too speculative unless there were very few aircraft involved.

In this case you already have the units
4./JG 77 and 6./JG 77

If you want the name of the three pilots involved, please PM me.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Need Help Identifying German Fighter Squadron
 

Luftwaffe fighters claimed three B-25's:-

6./JG 77 Lt Joachim Ahlert 0942 hrs 3000 metres.
4./JG 77 Uffz Helmut Moller 0950 hrs 2500 metres
6./JG 77 Ofw Franz Nägele 0950 hrs tief

Kind Regards

Johannes

P.S II./JG 77 also claimed five Spitfires, and 7./JG 53 three Spitfires, but all much later in the day.

Re: Need Help Identifying German Fighter Squadron
 

Jochen Prien's JG 77 history has a lengthy account of this action. Here's what I have from ULTRA.