[Nick Beale]

National Archives AIR20/7981, “Air Activity Over Western Front and Germany: Situation Reports.”

Evening report West of 23rd March 1945

Luftwaffe HQ West

Own operations: Bomb and armament attacks on Oppenheim bridgehead

JG 53 48 Me 109 made armament attacks on assault boats on the Rhine near Nierstein–Oppenheim from 06.00–07.55 hrs.

In detail:

III./53 13 Me 109 completed task, effects not known. Attacks also made on vehicle concentrations on the left bank of the Rhine, sone smoke observed. No contact with enemy. Casualties p 0-0-0, m 1-0-0.

II./53 11 Me 109 from 06.34–08.18 of which 1 aircraft broke off. On approach to target, air combat with about 10 enemy fighters at about 6500 m. near Darmstadt, target area not reached. Air combat with 6 Thunderbolts on coming in to land. No successes. Casualties: p 0-1-1, m 1-1-0.

IV./53 24 Me 109 from 06.32–07.55, 3 aircraft broke off owing to technical breakdown; target area not reached owing to fighter defence. Air battle with about 30 enemy fighters at 3500–7500 m. over Heidelberg area.

Casualties: p 0-6-0, m 1-6-0