JG400

[Michael Land]

I am researching about an attack by B17’s on Zwickau on the 7th October 1944 where one of them returning due to flak damage came under sustained attacks by Me 163’s. Some research has led me to believe that one of the pilots may have been Sergeant Kurt Schiebeler who is said to have won two victories in the Komet, both B 17 "Flying Fortress" heavies, and both in October of 1944 . The B17 in question though had previously been badly hit by flak knocking one engine out and blowing away the bomb doors only to have a second engine knocked out of action by Me 163’s.

In a “nutshell” the information I would most like to have is what probable markings/camouflage and the German side of information on this attack. Were there any claims made by the pilots this day? Did they mark this B17 down as a "probable"? Also would you know if pilots were assigned to individual aircraft or did they just fly what aircraft happened to be ready?

In one book I have reports from U.S. Mustang pilots report 4 floating dark objects at high altitude in that vicinity. While another book goes on to say that the attack on the bomber went on for some time before Mustang pilots came along and chased them off………. Hardly likely in view of the small amount of flying time they had!