355 FG engagements w/experten

[Richard Mills]

Originally Posted by kb

Richard,

I did a quick check in Herr Prien's unit history of IV/JG3.

IV/JG 3 flew two sorties on 29 April 1944. After assembling with other gruppen in the Magdeburg area it engaged B17s between 1100-1120. The aircraft it attacked were coming from Brunswick and had an escort of "40 Mustangs" (roughly a group). They claimed 5 destroyed and 4 separations.

After this attack the group landed at Salzwedel where it refueled and rearmed then attacked a B24 wing near Gardelegen claiming several more separations at 1320. No mention of an escort

For the entire day IV/JG3 lost 3 ME109s and the attached Sturmstaffel lost 5 FW190s . Contrary to my previous post, Prien's loss list for IV/JG3 aircrew is silent on the time of day of Steinke's downing.

Abbot would appear to be the best possibility to have encountered Steinke, other than a bomber gunner.

kb

Thank you very much indeed for the additional information concerning IV./JG3 and Rolf Steinke. This has helped immeasurably in allowing a picture to be formed around Rolf Steinke's last day.

I take it from yours and previous posts that the FG providing escort cover in this axis of Operation was indeed the 352 FG?

This being the case, are there any pointers as to where I can look to see which BG's on 29-Apr-44 and were consequently covered by the 352 FG?

Any help in this matter really will be very much appreciated indeed.

Regards Richard.