US Escort to RAF Bombers December 16th 1944
 

Hi,

Conflicting details on this raid. I have two official reports that suggest that P38 Lightnings were the escort for 100 RAF Lancasters to Seigen. Another report records it was an all RAF escort of RAF Mustangs.

Can anyone please confirm.

TIA

Steve

Re: US Escort to RAF Bombers December 16th 1944
 

Hello Steve,

according to Jagdfliegerverbände Vol. 13/II and 13/IV the Lancasters were escorted by P-38s.
The II./JG 2 engaged the formation southeast of Siegburg and claimed two Lancs and two P-38s.
In the victory table are listed:
15.15 Lancaster Uffz Helmut Bollwerk 5./JG 2
15.28 P-38 Lt Günter Marsfelde 7./JG 2
15.30 P-38 Uffz Theodor Hartmann 6./JG 2
15.30 Lancaster Lt Günter Marsfelde 7./JG 2.
In the loss table two pilots are listed as killed in action:
Uffz Werner Triep 6./JG 2 landing accident airfield Kirch-Göns Bf 109 G-14 WNr. 462997 100%
FhjUffz Heinrich Grabmayer 8./JG 2 aerial combat Lancaster and P-38 southeast of Cologne
Bf 109 G-14 WNr. 463005 blue 9 100%.
The escort fighters returned without losses, the RAF reported the loss of one Lancaster.

Regards
Leo

Re: US Escort to RAF Bombers December 16th 1944
 

From the book "The Dynamite Gang: The 367th Fighter Group in WWII" by Richard Groh. "Captain Chester A. Slingerland led thirty six P-38son an escort of RAF Lancasters bombing Siegen, Germany. Twenty Six enemy fighters tried to intercept, but the 393rd and 394th Squadrons drove them away before they got to the bombers. Though it lasted only a few minutes , the fight was spirited. Lieutenant Jack H Hallett...destroyed one of the 109s"

Re: US Escort to RAF Bombers December 16th 1944
 

Thank you.

Steve

Re: US Escort to RAF Bombers December 16th 1944
 

Thank you.

Steve