Unknown FGs 15 Aug 44

[aldodog]

Gentlemen,

On 15 Aug 44 the 364th FG (P-51s) engaged I./JG300 (Me-109Gs) near Frankfurt/Mannheim. In "JG300 - A Chronicle of a Geshwader", one of the I./Jg300 pilots involved indicates that P-38s and P-47s also engaged them near the end, or just after, the action. From the German sources it seems that their only losses in the area were from the 364th FG, and their only claims were for B-17s (IV/JG3, Stab and II/JG300) west of Frankfurt. If this information is correct, does anybody have ideas on which units these P-38s or P-47s belonged to? Maybe 9th AF units?

What I know:

-Most (all?) 8th AF fighter groups were assigned escort jobs that day.
-The 364th FG was there escorting three 1st BD bomb groups targeting airfields near Frankfurt.
-The only 8th AF fighter group still flying P-38s was the 479th, and they were operating about 200 miles north with 2nd BD.

Any information or leads greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Keith

[Frank Olynyk]

The 364th FG made a number of claims in the 1130-1145 period, 1145-1200, plus one at 1152, variously reported as "W of Weichaden, vicinity of Mosel River", "vicinity of Frankfurt", "Frankfurt", "Mannheim", and "30 m W of Frankfurt". A mixture of 109s and 190s.

Between 1220 and 1230, the 411th FS (9th AF) made claims in the "Chartres area, near Rambouillet" area. A mixture of 109s and 190s.

At 1245 the 358th FS/355th FG claimed a Me-109 NW of Zwolle.

Between 1310 and 1315 the 434th FS/479th FG (P-38s) claimed 109s at Steenwijk A/D.

Finally, between 1630 and 1645, the 411th FS claimed 109s at "Bretigny A/F".

Frank.