JG 301 on 17 December 1944

[Frank Olynyk]

Jochen,
In your original post you referenced JG 301 combats with B-24s and P-38s. Could you check your references again? I checked my copy of Reschke's book, and Nokose's comment above, indicating claims against 2 B-24s, a P-51 and a P-47. The reference to a P-47 is important, because none of the 15th AF fighter groups were using P-47s; they were either flying P-38s or P-51s. Which would imply this was a raid involving 2nd Bomb Division B-24s, and the P-47s of the 56th FG, the only 8th AF fighter group flying P-47s. And while some 9th AF fighter groups did escort 8th AF missions (especially the 354th FG), once the Bulge started I suspect the 9th AF P-47s were all involved in ground attack. And the 354th was flying P-47s at this point, and would not switch back to P-51s for a month or two.

Presumably therefore, you are looking for an 8th AF mission, not on Dec 17, involving a small force of 2nd BD B-24s (possibly lost, or hitting a target of opportunity), escorted by P-47s and P-51s, possibly involving actual losses to any of the three types. Freeman's Mighty Eighth War Diary may be a help here.

Enjoy!

Frank.