[drgondog]

Originally Posted by drgondog

Based on preliminary review I believe the clashes in the Brunswick area between 8th AF FC and LW are as follows.

44th BG made their intended turns too short of the IP and as a result passed west of Brunswick in their SW leg. They were hit by JG11 primarily and Oblt. Josef Zwernemann Kaptain of 1./JG11 (?) was KIA by Mustang of 357FG west of Brunswick.

4th FG passed 2BD and swept the area in front and, near Celle, hit a force of 75+ (est) mixed FW 190s and Me 109s inbound from NE Celle. I think this was the JG3 and SturmStaffel 1. Some of the elements of this force passed the 4th and continued toward the B-24s where the 355th met them and another fight ensued between these German fighters and the 357FS/355FG.

The 44th BG suffered heavily as a reult of their navigation error and were hammered before elements of the 357th FG were able to engage.

On the way back, the P-47 escort assuming Withdrawal support on Holland border and engaged I./JG 26. Oblt. Karl Willius Kaptain 2./JG 26 went down in this fight as well as Lt. Irving Reedy 357/355FG returning from the Celle fight when he strayed into this battle.

In all approximately 250 LW fighters engaged ne Brunswick, west Brunswick and near Holland/German border. East of Dummer Lake, only Mustangs of the 4th, 355th and 357th engaged the LW. In addition to the 46 air to air Credits for these three groups, they destroyed another 14 on the ground at Celle and Gifhorn. These three groups lost four air, one mechainical and one flak.

I forgot that the 354th FG also was involved in this fight - they had 20 109s and FW 190s credited as destroyed..