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Originally Posted by Erich
.50's
A little side note checking through the 352nd fg history; the unit scored 17 kills( Bf 109's ) with the 487th squadron leading with 15 for the date
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Their participation in the battle raises some questions about times noted for engagements by all of the fighter groups. Erich, is it certain those 109s were top cover from JG 300 and/or JG 301? The dogfights between the 352nd Fighter Group and German fighters lasted for over 30 minutes, yet the two main formations of the Wilde Sau were seen by other American pilots 30 minutes later and did not appear to be dispersed.
As far as I can tell, the 352nd group was the first to make contact with Bf 109s of the Wilde Sau and it looks like they departed before other USAAF fighter groups arrived. No Focke-Wulfs were claimed by the 352nd group and only the 487th squadron was heavily engaged. My source indicates that all 352nd group claims were made from 1145 - 1230 hrs. The last 109 was credited to Karl Dittmer, a pilot better known for his experience flying F-86 Sabres vs. MiG-15s in Korea.
At about 1300 hrs. Capt. Ray S. Wetmore and Lt. Robert M. York of the 359th Fighter Group flew into the massive formation from JG 300 and JG 301, distinctly divided into two gaggles. According to Wetmore's account, there were no other American planes in the area and the German fighters he saw were not under attack, not taking evasive action, and still carrying drop tanks. That would suggest they were not attacked since they took off, and it seems unlikely that so many planes could have reformed so quickly. Had they been in dogfights from 1145 to 1230, they would have been low on fuel by 1300 hrs.
Anyway, after Wetmore called for help on the radio, some of the German planes broke formation and flew towards the two P-51s to investigate. At about 1300 Wetmore and York were forced to attack against incredible odds, though after a few minutes of fighting desperately for their lives, ten other Mustangs from the 359th group arrived on the scene. The dogfights between the 359th pilots and the Germans went on for about 25 minutes and eventually one plane from the 357th group was mixed in with them. The 353rd group must have made contact with German fighters at about the same time.