ZG 26 & 76 on March 6, 1944, USAAF Raid on Berlin

[Michael Turner]

Hello:

I would like to confirm the information that I have so far as well as the answers to a couple of questions that I have about these two units that were involved with defense during the USAAF March 6, 1943 raid on Berlin.

(1) From what I have so far, the units were:

ZG 26/ II & III & ZG 76/ I & II

(2) I know that the aircraft that were flown was the Bf110 but what versions were they, I think they were the G2?

(3) I have seen pictures of the Bf110 both with/with out the MG151/20 belly gun packs, would these have been fitted to the a/c during this time? Also, were these always fitted or were the gruppes/staffels set up where perhaps some of them would have these fitted and others not. I read that with the JG units, some of the Me 109G's in a gruppe/staffel would be fitted with the under wing cannons/rocket launchers while others in the same gruppe/staffel wouldn't be.

Thank you in advance and I am still checking on this as well.

Michael

[John Beaman]

On March 6, 1943, the 8th AAF attacked Lorient and Brest.

[Michael Turner]

Yes, I just noticed my typo. I'll correct and re-post.

Michael

[Michael Turner]

Hello:

I would like to confirm the information that I have so far as well as the answers to a couple of questions that I have about these two units that were involved with defense during the USAAF March 6, 1944 raid on Berlin.

(1) From what I have so far, the units were:

ZG 26/ II & III & ZG 76/ I & II

(2) I know that the aircraft that were flown was the Bf110 but what versions were they, I think they were the G2?

(3) I have seen pictures of the Bf110 both with/with out the MG151/20 belly gun packs, would these have been fitted to the a/c during this time? Also, were these always fitted or were the gruppes/staffels set up where perhaps some of them would have these fitted and others not. I read that with the JG units, some of the Me 109G's in a gruppe/staffel would be fitted with the under wing cannons/rocket launchers while others in the same gruppe/staffel wouldn't be.

Thank you in advance and I am still checking on this as well.

Michael

[pilot05]

Hello,

on March 6th 1944 :

II./ZG 26 had some Me 410 losses in area of Magdeburg, Döbernitz, Brandenburg, Bernburg.

III./ZG 26 started at 11.23 direction Magdeburg with 9 Bf 110.
In the area of Letzlinger Heide they attacked a B-17 formation, claiming one P-51.
Two of the Bf-110 returned due to technical problems to Wunstorf, two because of damages taken while combat (one to Wunstorf, the other landed in Magdeburg), the other 5 were shot down (5 KIA).

Hope this helps
pilot05

[Peter Kassak]

Hi Michael,

ZG 76 flew Bf 110 G-2, Stab and I. Gruppe involved

ZG 26 flew Me 410 A-1/U4 (II. Gruppe) and Bf 110G-2/R6 (III. Gruppe)

ZG 76 losses:
Stab: one plane lost, 1 KIA, 1 WIA
I. Gruppe: 3 planes lost, 3 KIA, 3 WIA
claimed 2 B-17s

Unconfirmed presence of III. Gruppe, 3 WIA airmen, in 3 planes. Possibly training flight?

ZG 26 losses:
II. Gruppe: 8 planes lost, 3 KIA, 5 WIA
claimed 10 B-17s
III. Gruppe: 5 planes lost, 5 KIA, 4 WIA

Equipment of these units was diverse. Me 410s were fitted with Mk 108, but as well BK 5 canons, Bf 110s with BK 5s, WGr. 21 rocket launchers, and others...

hope this helps

[Baby Boy]

My Father, Lt. Cecil Manning of the 4th FG 335 FS was involved in combat with 110's on March 6, 1944. He later claimed 2 distroyed. His A/C P-51 43-6887 was hit from return fire and he became a POW. Any information on this account will be greatly appreciated.

[Peter Kassak]

The best to approximate the opponent would be to put on map areas with marked claims and losses locations for both sides...good luck

[Michael Turner]

Many thanks to those that replied to my posting, the information that you all supplied was very helpful to me.

Peter: From what you wrote regarding the various aircraft flown and their armament, it would appear that I was correct in my assumption that a/c in a gruupe/staffel might be armed in various manners. For instance, the Bf110 from one unit might have the under wing rockets and belly gun pack while the same type of a/c from the same unit might only be using its on-board (nose) guns.

Thank you all again.

Michael

[Peter Kassak]

Sure Michael,

Each Gruppe might have different aircraft in use, each Staffel might have different Rustsatze or Umbausatze applied.
regards