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Re: Ask for advice: the German bombing of Poltava Perspective
Hello,
Details from "Missing Planes of the 452nd Bomb Group by Edward Hinrichs.
A German He-177 (Reconnaissance plane) flown by Hans Mueller flew over shortly after the B17s landed.
Also from same book.
Poltave was attacked by -
KG 4: 73 He-111's and 6 Ju-88 (Target marking flare planes).
KG 27: 75 He-111's.
KG53: 111 He-111's
KG 55: 109 He-111's
These units were commanded by Colonel Wilhelm Antrup, CO of KG 55.
At 30 minutes past Midnight the Ju88's illuminated the Air Base. The Bombers started to bomb from altitude of 4000 meters.
The German bombardiers were given orders not to bomb the tents ( where did this info come from and is it true ?).
Colonel Antrup circled the field for the two hour raid.
No Russian Fighter plane rose to intercept the Luftwaffe bombers. US Fighters were refused permission to take off ( as they were not Night Fighters ?).
After the raid or as a final run the bombers made a low level attack dropping antipersonnel bombs.
It was fortunate that the Luftwaffe marker plane(s) could not find Mirgorod. The next day the 8th AF flew their a/c to other airfields in the Kharkov Area. That night (June 22nd) the Luftwaffe were back and bombed Mirgorod. Again it is reported that the US Fighters were refused permission to take off in defence of the field.
B17's Damaged or Destroyed at Poltava on 21st June 44 were -
96th BG
42-102573 - Dest
42-102603 - Dam
42-102625 - Dest
42-102641 - Dest
42-102653 - Dest
42-102670 - Dest
42-102686 - Dest
42-102701 - Dest
42-102950 - Dest
42-107116 - Dest
42-107227 - Dest
43-37550 - Dam
43-37781 - Dest
42-97628 - Dest
42-97698 - Dam
42-97881 - Dest
42-97903 - Dest
44-6081 - Dest
100th BG
42-32018 - Dam
388th BG
42-31577 - Dest
42-31973 - Dest
42-107198 -Dest
42-38187 - Dam
42-97172 - Dam
42-97832 - Dest
42-97937 - Dest
42-107134 - Dest
42-102666 - Dest
42-102870 - Dest
42-102493 - Dest
42-37844 - Dest
42-38189 - Dest
43-37592 - Dest
452nd BG
42-38157 - Dest
42-97247 - Dam
42-97256 - Dest
42-97283 - Dest
42-97306 - Dam
42-97390 - Dest
42-97935 - Dest
42-102499 - Dest
42-102514 - Dest
42-102587 - Dest
42-102622 - Dest
42-102650 - Dest
42-102665 - Dest
42-102691 - Dam
42-102963 - Dest
42-107049 -Dest
42-107093 - Dest
42-107174 - Dam
43-37558 - Dest
44-6001 - Dest
44-6011 - Dest
Alex
Last edited by Alex Smart; 20th November 2010 at 09:51.
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