Dogfight over Prague 355th FG April 20 1945

[Michal]

Hello,

I am looking for additional information about fight between 355th FG (357th and 358th FSs) and III./JG 27 in Area Prague on April 20 1945. AFAIK Americans claimed 6 shot down Bf 109s (LtCol Clairborne H. Kinnard Jr. 2, Maj. Henry S. Bille 2, 1/Lt Victor Inglesias 1, 1/Lt Harold P. Knutty 1/2 and 1/Lt Keo L. Snook 1/2), 1 probably shot down (Capt. Grant A. Seeley) and 4 damaged (Maj. Henry S. Bille 2, LtCol Claiborne H. Kinnard 1 and 2/Lt Robert F. Parks 1). Three German pilots are known to KIA.

Could somebody help me?

Thanks

Michal

[drgondog]

Clay Kinnard was leading this mission at the head of 358FS with 357FS in trail. The 355th left escort duties and swept the airfields in the area of Prague on the way home.

They spotted the german aircraft warming up at Letnany (spelling?) airfield but the German 109's turned off their engines as the 355th passed overhead. The 355th (despite seeing more than 200 a/c on the field in the area) was forbidden to strafe so Kinnard led them away for about 10 minutes before returning to catch the 12+ German fighters forming up over the airfield and bounced them. The fight lasted about 15+ minutes from 1155 to 1210 and ranged from 5,000 feet to the deck

Kinnard later remarked that he would have wished they had stayed on the ground that late in the war rather than come up to be killed... This was victory number 7 and 8 (air) for Kinnard to go with his 17 destroyed on the ground and number 5 and 6 for Bille to make him the last 355th FG ace. This was also the last 355th FG mission in which guns were fired.


Final totals were Kinnard 2, Bille 2, Iglesias 1, and Knutty. Parks and Seeley's claims were reduced to 'Probable' so the final awards were 6 destroyed, 2 probable and 4 damaged for no losses.

The German pilots were described as 'aggressive but inexperienced' which was another reason Kinnard and Bille wished they had stayed on the ground.

[Michal]

Thanks for reply. PM sent.

Regards

Michal