354FG experts?

[drgondog]

I'm looking for mission details of 354FG escort to 1st BD B-17s (Munich area) on 24 April 1944.

I know the 354th FG got some 109s SW Augsburg at 1310 to Ingolstadt at 1325 - but missed the big battle fought by 357FG and 355FG from 1320 to 1430.

I have assumed they were breaking escort from a Penetration Support somewhere SW of Augsburg when the first attack by units of JG3 occurred on the 1st BD heading due East toward Erding- or they also were on a Free Lance like the 4th and headed North before home at 1310.

Can someone shed light on a.) what type escort, b.) which Task Force were they assigned to escort?

Regards and Thx,

Bill

[Horst Weber]

Good afternoon, Bill !

The mission type of the mission was penetration and target-area support to Munich. Landfall was over Boulogne, France at 11:15 hrs at an altitude of 15,000 ft. Rendevous with the bombers was scheduled at about 12:43 hrs in an altitude od 21,000 ft near Strassburg, France.

But the Bomber Forece was not as briefed but widely spred, which made escort difficult. From 13:00 hrs to 13:25 hrs, the bomber formation was attacked by about 50 FW 190, These attacks were dispersed by the Group Squadron's more or less sucessfully.

At about 13:30 hrs, over Munich, the Group was released by RAF MUSTANG's. The return-course led them over the Augsburg, Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, Koblenz (Germany) and Vogelsang, Malmedy (Belgium) area.
Landfall out was at 14:15 hrs over Dunkirk (France) at an altitude of 18,000 ft. There is no report, that any free-lance action took place after the release of the escort mission.

You may finfd additional information of the dayly operation summaries of 8th Air Force for this mission.

All the best !

Horst Weber

[drgondog]

Horst - as far as I know only two Fighter Groups had Target Support for the 1st AD three Task Forces to bomb Erding (3rd), Oberpfaffenhofen (2nd) and Landsberg (1st Task Force). Those groups were the 355th FG which R/V with bombers shortly after the 354 FG lest ~1320 plus the 357th FG which arrived at 1325.

The 1st AD track was west to east just above LeipHeim and Gablingen for then a Ese heading to bomb Erding, S to point below Munich, west to a point SW of Munich (IP), then in to Oberpfaffenhofen and Landsberg.

Given that the 2nd AD bombed both of Leipheim and Gablingen, I suspect that the Target Support part for the 354FG was for 2nd AD (B-24's) not the 1st AD (B-17s) and that 2AD was preceeding the 1AD, then turned N toward Ingolstadt.

The 354FG scores were all west and North of Augsburg before the 355 and 357 arrived, while the very big battles w/355 and 357FG were E Augsburg to Erding to SE Munich to Sw Munich and back up to nw for Landsberg and Oberpfaffenhofen.

So, if my assumption based on your input is correct, the 354FG had the duty of Penetration/Target escort alonfg with 352FG, for B-24s who had come and gone by time the 1st AD arrived.

Thanks

Bill

[Horst Weber]

Good Morning Bill !

My account about the actions of 354th FG on April, 24th, 1944 are based on their OPREP A,
To: Hq Ninth Air Force
From: Hq 354th Fighter Group (24 hours ending sunset 24 April 1944)
Mission No. 60 - Penetration, target area support to Munich, Germany

Unfortunately, no description of the Bomber Force is given in the report. It only mentions B/F (bomber force ??), but no type of bombers.

Yes, and the report really gives RAF MUSTANG's as release of the Group, when the mission for that day was accomplished.
"At 1330 Munich area (T.O.T. 1330) turned B/Fs over to RAF Mustangs.
Other RAF Mustangs appeared seconds afterwards nearly caused melee. Flew out of sun toward us looked like Me 109s because of camoflage, formation and actions)"

After this action, 354th FG went home.

My source is microfilm # B0312 of HQ AFHRA, page # 661 + 662.

Bill, you may gain your final information in the Mission Summaries of 8th AF, dated that day.

All the best !

Horst Weber

[drgondog]

Horst - thx again. I was able to confirm that the 354th and 35nd FG had the Penetration and Target Support for 2nd AD B-24's bombing Leipheim and Gablingen A/F to the NW of Munich.

They trailed the 1st AD B-17's which flew a "roundabout" over Augsburg, to bomb Erding, then south and south east of Munich, then back to bomb Oberphaffenhofen and Landsberg.

Thanks for your input..

Regards,

Bill