Luftwaffe claim on 21.2.1945

[Reiner]

Hello
On February 21, 1945, according to his flight log, Josef Keil, III./JG301, claimed a "Fortress" over Berlin. He took off from Sachau airfield at 4:13 p.m. and landed at 5:00 p.m. What could he have shot down? I can't find an answer.
Thank you very much for your help.
Rene

[Peter Kassak]

the only lost B-17s that day were of the 15th USAAF. 2nd BG attacking Vienna. both planes lost were heading towards Russian lines.
Third lost plane of 463rd BG was lost over Vienna as well.

THe 8th USAAF was over Nurnberg...quite far from Berlin...

[Kaczmarek]

Hello René,

the claim of 21 Feb 45 ist categorized as one of the "unreliable claims" from Ofw. Keil.

Regards,
René

[Reiner]

Yes, this claim cannot be proven.
Thanks Peter and Rene

[Nick Beale]

Bundesarchiv file RL 2-II/388 (free to download) covers defence of the Reich and says that on 21 February in the West about 1,000 American four-engined bombers attacked Nürnberg. 600 more came from the South to attack Vienna.

The only "own operations" were four aircraft of 1 Jagd Division and 20 Me 262s against reconniassance aircraft over NW Germany and the Berlin area. Three successes were claimed. 20 more aircraft flew protection for Stendal aierodrome which was heavily occupied.

(This does not include operations against the Allies on the Western Front or in the East).