Luftwaffe reaction against U.S. bombers on April 28, 1944

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour,

Regarding the mission of the day (April 28, 1944) I noted this info in a U.S. report (excerpt):

- At 11:15 hours three Staffeln of German fighters based in the Paris area take off.
- Around 12:15 hours, some of these fighters are in contact with B-17s of the lead Combat Wing back from Avord airdrome.
- After a single pass of the latter, at 12:25 hours, they are ordered to land. (no claims from the U.S. escort)

Using these information, I am looking for the German activity that day and - if possible - to which group or groups belong the German fighters which took off.

All the best,
Frederic

[Alfred.MONZAT]

According to Tony Wood's claim list, Kurt Bühligen, CO of II./JG 2, claimed (it was not confirmed) a B-17 at 40 km E. of Bourges (Avord air base is at 20 km E. of Bourges). So it seems that was II./JG 2.

[Henofred]

Thank you Alfred - yes - it seems to be II./JG 2.

Several B-17s were severely damaged (...two lost over the target) but only by Flak, none by fighters. Any details or account on the attack, the mission?

All the best,
Frederic

[Kutscha]

Frederic does this help?

http://www.8thafhs.org/combat1944a.htm

FRIDAY, 28 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): MORNING OPERATIONS: Mission 325: 223 bombers are dispatched:
1. 116 of 117 B-17s hit Avord Airfield, France; 2 B-17s are lost and 38 damaged; 20 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 118 P-47s and 87 P-51s; they claim 0-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 8-0-3 on the ground; 2 P-51s are lost and 2 damaged; 2 pilots are MIA.

2. 18 of 106 B-17s bomb the Sottevast, France V-weapon site and targets of opportunity; clouds prevent most B-17s from bombing; 2 B-17s are lost and 47 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA and 21 MIA. Escort is provided by 46 P-47s without loss. 2 fighter-bomber missions are also flown against airfields in France: 1. 34 P-38s using the Droopsnoot method, bomb Tours Airfield; 11 P-38s fly escort; 1 P-38 is lost and 1 damaged; 1 pilot is MIA.

3. 49 P-38s using the Droopsnoot method, bomb Chateaudun Airfield while 3 P-38s fly escort; 1 P-38 is damaged; 32 P-47s, with 4 P-47 escorts, dive-bomb the same target; they claim 1-0-1 aircraft on the ground. AFTERNOON OPERATIONS: Mission 325: 47 of 47 B-24s bomb the Marquise/Mimoyecques, France V-weapon sites; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 6 damaged; 9 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 50 P-47s without loss. 16 P-47s, with 8 escorts, dive bomb an unidentified airfield near Paris without loss.
NIGHT OPERATIONS: Mission 326: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 1.64 million leaflets on 17 towns in Belgium, France and The Netherlands including Antwerp, Brussels, Paris, Tours, Lorient, Nantes, Orleans, Zwolle, Leeuwarden, Turnhout and Amersfoort without loss.
21 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions without loss. 848th and 851st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 490th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Eye, England from the US with B-24s; first mission is 4 Jun and 31 May respectively.

[Alfred.MONZAT]

For the Allied side, not much more in the Mighty Eighth War Diary and for the german one... I'm waiting for the next volume of Erik Mombeeck about JG 2 .

[Henofred]

Thanks a lot to both of you.

It is always - or often - the problem; a lot of details from Allies' side and little or no details from the German side. In addition, this sortie took place without any fight or particular event! So...

Once again, merci beaucoup.

All the best,
Frederic

[Rottler]

Hello Frederic,

from the MACR documents and the German documents KU 1645 and KU 1646 follows, that the B-17 G 42-38061 and 42-97199 lost over the target Avord Airfield were hit by flak.

In the case of the Bühligen claim the comments VNE and ASM are significant:
VNE = Vernichtung nicht erwiesen / destruction not proven,
ASM = Anerkennung später möglich / confirmation to be later decided.

Regards
Leo

[Henofred]

Thank you Rottler for these additional details. For Major Kurt Bühligen, I assume that bomber has never been validated.

All the best,
Frederic

[Alfred.MONZAT]

The "confirmation to be later decided" is just because German admnistration is very prudent. Knowing that statement is made after thorough study of the claim that last some month, I am sure that reconsideration of V.N.E./A.S.M. rarely (if ever) happened.

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour Alfred,

I agree. If the claim needed some witnesses and if nobody was able to valid the claim the same day, I am not sure that you might be able to find somebody during the following days!

All the best,
Frederic