I./KG 51 1944

[Chris Goss]

I./KG 51 began converting to the Me 410 in July 1943 for defence of the Reich operations but in November 1943 began retraining for night bombing missions against UK. By 6 Dec 43, most of 1 Staffel was at St Andre, 2 Staffel at Dreux and Stab I and 3 Staffel at Evreux. However, they were still not combat ready by the end of December 1943 so when did they go operational over England? I have them taking part on the attack on London 23 Feb 44 while their first combat loss was not until 21 March 1944. They then returned to Germany at the end of May/start of June to convert to the Me 262 having lost five Me 410A-1s up to 19 April 1944