Walter Schuck's two P-51 victories on March 24,1945

[kaki3152]

Just received my copy of "Abschuss:von der Me 109 zur Me 262" by Walter Schuck and I must say its a great read.

In it, he relates his first ME-262 victories over two P-51s who were escorting a P-38 recon plane. According to the book,the victories were accomplished "120 km suedwestlich von Berlin" . Both victories are described in detail.

The problems is there is no good match with any reported USAAF P-51 losses. The closest match is a report the 332nd FG lost one and possibly two P-51s to Me-262 attacks. The 353rd FG lost 5 P-51s in a battle with
S/E E/A near Kassel.Also, the 55th FG lost one P-51 in aerial combat near Soest,Germany.

The 8th AF War Diary shows that there were escorted PRU missions but does not mention any losses. The 332nd FG was escorting B-17s to Berlin.

[mayfair35]

kaki3152

I cannot help with verifying Walter Schuck's victories on 24 March 1945; however I note that our 325th FG was in the vicinity and also escorting
P-38s on this date. Mission summaries as follows:

24 Mar 1945 - 53 P-51s took off 0930 hours to provide PTW for 3 lead groups of 5th Wing (B-17s) bombing Daimler Benz Tank Works, Berlin, Germany. 2 non-effective sorties- mechanical. 4- Me-262s observed but P-51s unable to get in range of enemy a/c. 50 P-51s provided target cover 1215 to 1240 hours. 50 P-51s down at base at 1540.

24 Mar '45 - 5 P-51s (317th FS) took off at 1110 hours and escorted 2
P-38s on photo recce mission to Berlin. 5 P-51s down at base at 1650.

24 Mar '45 - 2 P-51s (317FS) and 3 P-51s (319FS) took off at 1207 hours to escort 2 P-38s on Photo Recce mission to Berlin and Ruhland, Germany. 5 P-51s down at base at 1650 hours.

As you can see, a total of 4 P-38 photo recce birds were escorted by a total of 10 P-51s to the Berlin area. All 10 P-51s returned to base and none reported seeing any enemy a/c.

Cordially, Art Fiedler