[Don Caldwell]

Here's some of my data that appear relevant to the hypothesis that JG 301 flew on 23 Dec 44:

1. JG 301 losses -- none in the RLM "Strichliste" (BA-MA RL 2 III/xxx) - this proves nothing either way, of course.

2. JG 301 claims -- none in the RLM claims microfilms -- this proves nothing either way, either; these have just about played out by this date.

3. 8th AF 2nd BD activity (this was the B-24 command) -- the INTOPS Summary for this date says 113 B-24s were dispatched against commo targets at Junkerath, Dahlem, and Ahrweiler. E/a opposition: nil; losses: nil. These targets were serving the Ardennes offensive and were fairly close to the battle lines -- nowhere near Kassel, at any rate.

So from my data, 23 Dec 44 doesn't look like a good replacement for Reschke's 17 Dec 44. Erich, please come back.

One possibility that hasn't been addressed here is a small RAF Bomber Command day raid -- Lancs and Mustang IIIs instead of B-24s and P-51s -- that didn't find its way into Middlebrook. Any RAF BC experts out there? The date of such a raid, as far as I'm concerned, is open.

Horrido!

Don