Jets over Italy 1944-45

[Douglas Jr.]

Hi everybody,

There were any German jets (Me262 or Ar234) flying operational mission over Italy from September 1944 up to the end of war? If yes, what units they belonged?

Thanks in advance,

Douglas.

[robert_schulte]

Hello Douglas,
Kommando Sommer flew several recce missions with three Arado 234 B from the base Campoformido near Udine from 16. March 1945 until probably 24. April 1945 in the Mediteranean area. Codes were T9+DH (Wk.Nr. 140142), T9+EH (wk.Nr. 140344) and T9+FH. Pilots were Erich Sommer, Leutnant Gniesmer and Werner Arnold.
T9+DH was shot down on 11. April by P-51 of 52nd Fighter Group, Leutnant Gniesmer died of wounds two days later. T9+EH crash landed in Campoformido on 20.April and was destroyed, pilot Erich Sommer survived without injuries.
Hope this helps
Robert

[Nick Beale]

As a co-author of "Air War Italy 1944-45", I spent about eight years working on this question and I'd agree with how Robert has summed up the position regarding operations by the Ar 234.

I'd just add that no evidence has ever surfaced from the Axis side or from Allied signals intelligence that any Me 262 ever operated over Italy. That didn't stop a lot of British and American pilots reporting "sightings" of them however.

[Douglas Jr.]

Robert and Nick,

Thank you for your attention and replies.

Happy New Year!

Douglas.

[Sergio Luis dos Santos]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

I'd just add that no evidence has ever surfaced from the Axis side or from Allied signals intelligence that any Me 262 ever operated over Italy. That didn't stop a lot of British and American pilots reporting "sightings" of them however.

I have an old Wings series on the P-51 where it shows a "Me 262" being shot down but it´s absolute clear it´s an Ar 234 !!
I guess they thought the plane was too fast for a bomber so it could only be a Me 262 fighter...