JG 301 on 17 December 1944

[Frank Olynyk]

Jochen,
I can break down the targets and groups as follows, with regard to the intended targets:

Blechhammer North Oil Refinery: 2nd, 97th, 99th, 301st, 483rd BGs, all B-17s

Blechhammer South Oil Refinery: 460th, 464th, 465th, 485th BGs, all B-24s

Gross Strehilitz Marshalling Yard: 454th BG, B-24s

Odertal (Synthetic) Oil Plant/Refinery: 451st, 454th, 455th, 456th, 459th, 461st, 484th BGs, all B-24s

Salzburg Marshalling Yard: 98th, 376th BGs, all B-24s

Wels Marshalling Yard: 449th, 450th BGs, all B-24s

I have not as yet attempted to capture the mission reports for 15th AF, since that is several years away in A History of the Mediterranean Air War. Best source at this point for additional information is Kevin A Mahoney: Fifteenth Air Force Against the Axis, Scarecrow Press, 2013, xx+485 pages. It gives total losses by group, but no times (take-off, over target, or landing). It has some information on the fighter escorts.

Enjoy!

Frank.