434th Fighter Squadron USAAF

[azapf1972]

Dear all,

is there anyone around that can help me to shed some light on the ops of this unit in April 1945?

I am particularly interested in the strafing attacks on the Lübeck-Blankensee airfield on April 13, 1945.

Anything would help but if there are details on the day, probably including claims, it would be much appreciated.

Andreas

[udf_00]

google for "Lübeck-Blankensee" "robin olds"

[azapf1972]

Originally Posted by udf_00

google for "Lübeck-Blankensee" "robin olds"

I am beyond that - I know that the 434th broke off to strafe the airfields at Lübeck-Blankensee, Tarnewitz and Ratzeburg. I also know that they lost two of their own on the latter two airfields, 1st Lt. Candelaria (MACR 13904) and 1st Lt. Huval (MACR 14120).

What I do not know is if there are official reports on the damage done in Lübeck - it is said that Olds claimed an Arado Ar 234 in Lübeck, so did his wingman, Lt. Rossel. I am relatively sure that there was more damage done in Lübeck but was interested to see if there were any details (e.g. on other jets).

Unfortunately, what is written in books (and repeated on the Internet) usually requires a good check-up on the details, assuming availability of original documents...

Andreas

[drgondog]

Originally Posted by azapf1972

I am beyond that - I know that the 434th broke off to strafe the airfields at Lübeck-Blankensee, Tarnewitz and Ratzeburg. I also know that they lost two of their own on the latter two airfields, 1st Lt. Candelaria (MACR 13904) and 1st Lt. Huval (MACR 14120).

What I do not know is if there are official reports on the damage done in Lübeck - it is said that Olds claimed an Arado Ar 234 in Lübeck, so did his wingman, Lt. Rossel. I am relatively sure that there was more damage done in Lübeck but was interested to see if there were any details (e.g. on other jets).

Unfortunately, what is written in books (and repeated on the Internet) usually requires a good check-up on the details, assuming availability of original documents...

Andreas

Andreas, I haven't looked into the existence of Encounter Reports which would detail the Intelligence parsed claims sent to 8th AF FC for review and credit by the Victory Credits Board.

But I would check USAFHRC for a April 15 Mission Summary Report which roll up the 479FG claims. The 8th AF Victory Credits - June, 1945 would contain the only central repository of air AND ground victory credits by pilot but I don't offhand recall whether they do so by unit.

Kent Miller extracted much of his detail from 8AFVCB in his two volume set "Fighter Units and Pilots of the Eighth Air Force" published by Schiffer. On page 190 Vol I are part of the 355th FG at Husum, Flensburg and Schleswig credits and all the 479th. The only entries for jet aircraft are the Olds (Ar 234 dest), Pierce (Ar 234 dest) and Rossel (Ar 234 dest) - all ground credits.

Having said that, the total credits for a/c destroyed by the 479th on the 13th were 43-34.