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Re: USAAF Claims for Me 163s
A little more information from "Our Might Always" by Bill Marshall:
March 2, 1945
FO 1683A Lieutenant Colonel Graham led a Ramrod to Magdeburg to shepherd the trailing boxes of 2nd TF/2BD B-24s. The 355th Mustangs made R/V over the Zuider Zee at 0930 and took the B-24s to the target at 1040.
Bombing results appeared to be good to excellent. The Group then swept ahead of the bombers along the Hannover - Bremen - Dummer Lake line, and seeing nothing of interest, rejoined the bombers before turning for home.
On the way to the target, Lieutenant Allen of the 358FS aborted because of oxygen problems, just east of Dummer Lake around 1010. Around 1020, he spotted 15+ Me109s, all carrying centerline-mounted bombs, heading southwest. He attacked the trailing section of eight. He described them as having a dragon-like insignia on the fuselage.
When Allen attacked, they did not drop their bombs nor attempt to break ranks. Allen claimed five destroyed and two probably destroyed before running out of ammo. Upon return, his film was discovered damaged and he never received credit for the claims.
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