JG 77 in combat vs. P-47s, MTO, early march 1944 - any info?

[Lagarto]

I read some vague info that JG 77 fliers knocked down nine P-47 (probably of 57 FG) in one skirmish, somewhere over Sicily (?), in early March 1944. Any further info?

[Ruy Horta]

Perhaps it would help if you share where you found this info and what sources you have already checked. This way we get a little more background info.

Also did you check the claims lists in the FAQ?

[Nick Beale]

It certainly wasn't Sicily this late in the war. The Allied front line was just south of Rome (and seemingly stuck there) by March 1944.

It would help if you knew which Gruppe as well. The three were based hundreds of miles apart.

[Lagarto]

Gosh, I meant "somewhere over Italy" of course Sorry, it was very late at night.
Ruy, thank you very much for the tip - how could I forget Tony's files? Seems like it was a combined force of JGr Italien and 3./JG 77, in the area of Padova-Venezia, March 11. Could these two operate together?

[Ota Jirovec]

Hello Lagarto,

I am afraid 11 March 1944 is not "your" case. The USAAF unit involved was apparently 325th FG whose documented losses are just two P-47s (despite the fact that Luftwaffe and ANR fighters claimed more than ten). The "Checkertail Clan" pilots claimed 11-3-1 Axis fighters, in most cases Bf 109s. I do not know the losses of I./JG 77 or ANR, but another Luftwaffe unit that took part in this combat was I./JG 53 that lost 3 pilots MIA and two more WIA in combat with Thunderbolts and B-17s in Padua - Venice area.

Hope this helps a little,

Ota

[veltro]

The combat did took place on March 11, 1944 and the unit was 325th FG. The Italian unit involved was 1° Gruppo Caccia ANR and what follows is the original mission report:



I know it is all in Italian, but I have a fever of 39° and a bad flu, so I hope you will forgive me if I do not post a translation...

However, the main data is that the Italian unit claimed eight P-47 shot down, one probable and four damaged, in addition to one four-engined bomber claimed shot down, one probable and twelve damaged.


It is more than evident that such claims were mostly unfounded, but this is not the first nor the last case of such an occurrence, as I have discovered through years of researches.

The only true and verifiable data are the four Macchi C.205s lost (three shot down and one crash-landed) and the three pilots KIA.

Hope this is of help.

[Gielle]

I think the document scanned by Mr. D'Amico is very interesting, and it deserves translation (please, forgive my English )


REPORT ON WAR ACTION MARCH 11, 1944
Over the River Po Delta, Verona, Treviso, Padua, Venice
Action type: scramble
Take off: 11.03
Aircraft type and number: 36 Mc 205
Commanding Officer: Capitano Adriano Visconti (Tenente Amedeo Guidi, Ten. Mario Ligugnana)
Report: Take off at 11.03, course to Gorizia at max altitude, with a radio call the formation reaches the River Po Delta, where intercepts with altitude advantage the enemy bombers headed NW.
Our right section (CO Ten. Amedeo Guidi) attacks the bombers, the Gruppo CO (Cap. Visconti) attacks the fighters in direct escort; our left section, sighted many Lighting fighters above, in indirect escort, manoeuvres to prevent them from attacking our formation. The fight against Fortresses type Boeing and Thunderbolts lasts from 11.40 to 12.??
Achievements: 8 Thunderbolts positively shot down, 1 probable, 4 damaged; 3 Boeing Fortresses positively shot down, 1 probable, 12 damaged.
Aircraft lost: Mc 205 MM 92896 flown by S.Ten. Bruno Castellani, fallen in the sea at Venice, Mc 205 MM 92279 flown by Ten. Giobatta Boscetti e Mc 205 MM 923?1 flown by Ten. Guerrino Bortorani, MIA, and Mc 205 MM 92264 flown by S.Ten. Andrea Stella ditched in Adria sorroundings (pilot unhurt).
Aircraft damaged in flight: none.
This Command has already informed the family of S.Ten Castellani, KIA. The funeral is to take place in Udine, Monday at 16.30

[Lagarto]

Thank you!

[veltro]

My personal thanks to Gielle for his kind work of translation. I'd like, however, to correct a few data:

Originally Posted by 269GA~Gielle

Aircraft lost: Mc 205 MM 92896 flown by S.Ten. Bruno Castellani, fallen in the sea at Venice, Mc 205 MM 92279 flown by Ten. Giobatta Boscetti e Mc 205 MM 923?1 flown by Ten. Guerrino Bortorani, MIA, and Mc 205 MM 92264 flown by S.Ten. Andrea Stella ditched in Adria sorroundings (pilot unhurt).

Mc 205 MM 92296 flown by S.Ten. Bruno Castellani;

Mc 205 MM 92279 flown by Ten. Giobatta Boscutti;

Mc 205 MM 92321 flown by Ten. Guerrino Bortolani.

These were better readable on the original copy...