Schnellkampfgeschwader 10, 8 March 1943

[keith A]

According to some accounts this unit unsuccessfully engaged B-17s that had raided Rennes, losing two aircraft (USAAF gunners claim 14 kills against LW units, RCAF Spitfires add another two). Were SKG10 still flying from Caen Carpiquet? A fighter bomber unit diverted from it's purpose to engage bombers returning from a raid seems unusual. Perhaps they were the nearest LW unit?

Keith

[Chris Goss]

Covered in my book. Fw Hans Hinz of 5./SKG 10 killed and Uffz Karl Jonas wounded in this combat.

[Larry deZeng]

Yes, II./SKG 10 was at Caen-Carpiquet until late March when aircraft and crews transferred to Amsterdam-Schiphol for attacks on ports along the southeast coast of England under the operational control of Angriffsführer England.

8 Mar 43: Fw 190A-5 shot down in air battle near St-Lo, 100%, pilot WIA.

If the intercept was around Saint-Lô, that's only 46 km W of Caen-Carpiquet and, although the Fw 190 A-5 was not noted for its long-range capabilities, I think it could handle 46 kilometers each way. If it wasn't the closest fighter unit to the bomber formation that was serviceable and ready, then it was probably one of the closest.

L.

[Chris Goss]

SKG 10 did have a number of daylight & night claims 1943-44. I have them listed in my book on I./SKG 10. II Gruppe was formed at Casen but it would appear that it was for a short time at the start of March 1943 operating from Rennes-St Jacques