Dogfight Between RAF and VVS over Germany, March 1945

[SteveB]

There were two wings at Bentwaters 'A' and 'B'. As has been said by March 1945 'A' Wing was led by Donnet and 'B' Wing led by Plagis. In the Bentwaters ORB the last mention of Plagis leading the Wing was on 5/3/45. Birksted took over 'B' Wing and he is mentioned for first time on 21/3/45. On 18/3/45 the targets were oil installations in the Ruhr and 'B' Wing was led by S/Ldr 'Gusty' Gale of 165Sqn it was "uneventful". As has been said, on 21/3/45, Donnet led the elements involved in the Copenhagen operation this is recorded as "our longest escort so far". There was another "uneventful" escort later on 21/3/45 to Bremen led by Birksted. On 27/3/45 the target were U-boat construction sites and oil targets at Farge the Wings were led by Donnet and Birksted.

I am not sure that Bomber Command ever flew to Berlin in daylight? On 16 April the target for the bombers was Swinemunde and after the bombing the escort provided by Mustang IVs of the Hunsdon Wing broke away from the bombers to fly to Berlin where they famously encountered the Russians. Although Plagis may have had a Mustang III with the fuselage tank the Bentwaters Wings were never fully equipped with a/c that had the fuselage tank.

Steve