1st and 2nd BW raids 8 March 1943

[keith A]

Can anyone give me a breakdown of the twenty-eight kills claimed by these units - hopefully by squadron on 8 March 1943 or are these generic "fighters"? Taking into account that the distances and speed required of correct recognition (while getting shot at) allow some inaccuracy.

My aim is not to dispute the claims or the evidence but to identify possible LW opponents.

Keith

[MW Giles]

Mighty Eighth War Diary - Freeman

91BG 4-1-0
303BG 4-0-1
305BG 3-0-3
306BG 3-0-1

44BG 11-2-3
93BG 3-1-0

Apart from telling you that the 44th claimed more than the others, this does not really help. The Lw does not seem to have lost many

The Group histories I have for the 44th, 91st, 93rd, 303rd and 306th mention the raid but nothing more

The most exciting is the 91st that says it was attacked by 30 to 40 e/a. One e/a came through the formation in one direction, turned round and came back the other way

Martin

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
From Donald Caldwell's " Day Fighters in Defence of the Reich ,a war diary 1942-45"

12./JG 2 - Bf109G - Beaumont-le-Roger (time up 1340 - time down 1440)
Claim - 1 Spitfire.
Losses - 2 destroyed. Pilots bailed
Wia - 1

Stab/JG 26 - Fw190a - Lille- Vendeville ( up 1337, down 1440)
Claim - 1 Spitfire.
No losses.

II./ JG 26 - Fw190a - Vitry ( up 1334, down 1436 )
Claims - 4 B24
No losses

III./ JG 26 - Fw190a - Wevelghem ( up 1310, down 1442 )
Claims - nil.
Losses - Nil.

III./JG54 - Bf109G - Lille-Vendeville ( up 1338, down 1442 )
Claims - Nil.
Losses - Nil.

III./JG 2 - Fw190a - Brest-Nord ( up 1344, down 1448 )
Claims - 2,B17; 1,Spitfire
Losses - 1 wia

3./JG 27 - Bf109G - Bernay ( up 1420, down 1550 )
Claims - 1 B17
Losses - 1 destroyed, 1 kia.

II./SKG 10 - Fw190a - Rennes-St.Jacques ( up 1345, down 1445 )
Claims - Nil
Losses - 2 destroyed, 1 mia, 1 wia.

USAAF lost or scrapped 6. Bombers, the RAF lost 2 Spitfires.
Luftlotte 3 lost 2 Kia or Mia, with 3 Wia and 5 fighters.

Alex