US 9th Fighter Escort to RAF Bomber Command

[drgondog]

Originally Posted by Smudger Smith

Gents

On Saturday 16th December 1944 108 Avro Lancaster’s of No.3 Group RAF Bomber Command carried out a G-H attack on Siegen railway yard. A very successful and accurate raid over 9/10th cloud was carried out. (not quite correct )

Escort was provided by US 9th Airforce ‘fighters’ (ref No.3 Group HQ Records Book, Air25) The US fighter escort encountered a number of Me109’s, claiming a number destroyed.

Returning crews were unhappy that the majority of escort “ went hell for leather” after the Bf109’s at the expense of providing adequate escort cover. One Avro Lancaster of No.115 (B) Squadron flying on three engines was finished off by a Me109.

Question, what US 9th Airforce units were operating that day, how many Me109’s were claimed and from what units did the Me109’s operate.

I am not trying to attribute any blame of the US escort, I just would like to know about the encounter.


(God forbid any more bad press on the American Allies )

I doubt that the P-38 Group felt any shame in their approach to defending the Lanc's. First, US doctrine was to 'attack', not sit back and fumble around when the German fighters closed on the bomber stream. Had they not aggressively attacked the 109s and 190s, the bomber force would have been assaulted by 20+ fighters closing to very short range.

Second, imagine the potential losses had they benn flying at night and 20+ German fighters had been directed to their formations, unopposed except possibly by some odd number of Mosquitos sweeping around - with only a brief opportunity to find some 'singles'.