May 19,1944-JG-3 vs 359th FG

[kaki3152]

On May 19th,1944 the 359th FG was escorting B-17s to Berlin. At 1350 hours in the vicinity of Rathenow by Berlin, the encountered "120" Bf-109s and Fw-190s. They scored 9 Bf-109 kills and one "Fw-190D" and lost three P-51s, two to E/A and one to mechanical failure.
In the 369th FS:"Lt. Herbert C. Burton causes the mid air collision and disintigration of two Bf-109s during a head on attack."

Now from the German side [Lt. Franz Ruhl]: "At about 1:30 [note time similarity] we sighted enemy formations above us at an altitude of about 7000m...I saw a very strong fighter escort,consisting of mainly Mustangs at our altitude."
The clash with the Mustangs was costly,with II/JG-3 losing 10 Bf-109, (1 KIA)
"Zimmermann [Lt. Oskar Zimmerman-RK] who led the Gefechtsverband...had been rammed by his wingman while in the turn.His aircraft lost a wing and he bailed out at an altitude of 7000m."
II/JG-3 claimed three four-engined bombers and one P-51, with the other JG-3 Gruppes,(I and IV/JG-3),JG-3 claimed nine four-engined and seven escorts.