[Jochen Prien]

Nick and John,

I have since come to the conclusion that this is most likely a case of a wrong date and that the day we are actually talking about is 15 December, when the 8t USAAF did attack targets in the Hannover / Kassel area. The only known loss was listed on the 15th, whereas on the 17th not a single loss through enemy action was reported by JG301.

But every answer brings about new questions/problems - the attacks were flown by B-17s of 1st and 3rd BD, whereas only a small screening force of 9 B-24s was dispatched, which suffered no losses as far as I can see. Reschke in his account however expressly mentions a small formation of B-24s.

So for the time being and with all neccessary reservations I take it that JG 301 was employed to take on the incursion of a bomber formation that apparently headed for its bases and encountered the B-24s of the small screening force.

Any better idea ?

KR

Jochen