[Larry deZeng]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder

Currently working on a commission of 463rd BG B-17s over their target at Moosbierbaun, Austria on Jan 31, 1945.
Can anyone tell me what Luftwaffe aircraft types were operational in this area (Moosbierbaun, Austria) and at this time-frame (Jan 31, 1945)?
If there are details of the actual units, it would be a bonus, but not critical.
Thanks very much.

Fighter operations over Wien were controlled by 8. Jagddivision. After October 1944, 8. Jagddiv. no longer subordinated any of its own day fighter units. Instead, any fighters present to intercept the 15th AAF mission on 31 January 1945 would have been vectored into the area and then handed off to 8. JD for tactical control purposes. No sources that I have seem to say much about this mission, other than it was bombed by 670+ B-24s and B-17s with 300+ P-38s and P-51s flying escort, so it was possibly unopposed, although I cannot confirm that. None of these accounts mention any fighter opposition, whereas they normally do. Furthermore, the KTB/OKW entry for 31 January 1945 makes no mention of the raid at all. Usually, these large daily raids are treated with a 2 or 3 sentence summary that gives the target and German fighter claims and losses. But for the Moosbierbaum mission of 31 January there is zilch, nada, zip.

Perhaps you have some information on the mission that I don’t?