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Old 15th October 2017, 18:03
Karoband Karoband is offline
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Re: Using rockets against bombers.

Good morning,

Here are some sources on when Wfr. Gr. 21 and R4M were first used:

1. From Andreas Zapf, USAAF Mission #63: Bremen & Kiel (June 13, 1945), posted online September 4, 2012, p. 15:

June 13, 1943 1017 Z./Ekdo 25 Hptm. Eduard Tratt 28. B-17F 06 Ost S / AP at 500 m.
This B-17 was shot down using the BR 21 unguided rockets.

[Note: While with EKdo. 25, Tratt had already shot down a B-17 on 21 May 1943. I do not know if rockets were used.]

2. From the Wikipedia post on Jagdgeschwader 11, the first operational use of the Wfr. Gr. 21 by "elements of JG 11 with JG 1" was on 29 July 1943.

3. From Philippe Saintes, Avions Hors-serie #45: Les Pertes des Messerschmitt Me 262, (2017), p. 56:

Dimanche 18 mars 1945

...Six Me 262 equipes pour la premiere fois du "Rustzatz" R1 (ensemble de douze roquettes air-air R4M fixees sous chaque aile) sont menes par l'Oblt. Gunther Wegmann [of 9./JG 7]...

Best regards,

Jim
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