Luftwaffe vs. 428FS/474FG, 17 Dec 44

[Eagle0025]

I have been researching the subject mission and need some help. I am trying to verify the Luftwaffe groups involved. It was an armed reconnaissance of the Bitburg-Trier-Merzig, Germany area. Eight 428FS P-38s took off from A-78 at 1402 hours. They bombed 40 freight cars on the way to the target area, then were directed by ground control to attack German ground forces near St. Vith, Belgium. They found many motor transports 20 miles ENE of St. Vith and used the rest of their bombs on them. The second flight of four P-38s (Yellow) were then ordered to a higher altitude to provide top cover while the lead flight of four P-38s (Red) continued to strafe the remaining trucks. At 10,000 feet, "20-plus Fw190s" diving down from 15,000 feet jumped Yellow flight. Red flight quit their ground attack and climbed to join the dogfight. 32 Fw190s from another group then joined the fight when the lead flight reached 10,000 feet. In the ensuing dogfight, the 428FS claimed 3 Fw190s destroyed, 3 probably destroyed, and 3 damaged. Sadly, four of the eight P-38s were shot down with three pilots KIA and one taken POW. The survivng P-38s landed back at A-78 at 1627 hours, most of them badly shot up.

Based on what I have found, it is likely the first group of "20-plus" Fw190s were 19 Fw190As from I./JG26 based on Luftwaffe claims records and information from JG26 War Diary, Vol. II. I am unsure about the second large group of Fw190s that attacked the 428th. Based on Luftwaffe claims, it could be Fw190s from IV./JG54. They made four P-38 claims at the same time and general vicinity of where the 428th reported they were. There are two claims from IV./JG3 around the same time, but not in the same area.

I would appreciate any details of this mission from the Luftwaffe perspective as well as any information regarding the targets hit by the 428th on this day.

Cheers, Gary Koch