7th and 14th July 1944, 15th USAAF fighters claims vs. Me 410

[Gizmo]

Hi,
I'm looking for 15th USAAF fighter pilots claims against Me 410.

On 7 July I./ZG 76 lost 8 Me 410 in combat witch P-51s (IMHO from 31st FG or 332nd FG).
On 14 July ZG 26 lost 3 Me 410 over Hungary, this time in combat with P-38s (I think from 82. FG).

[shooshoobaby]

Gizmo - wasn't 31st FG - they encountered 190s and 109s this day.
Mike

[Franek Grabowski]

Only claims around are 82 FG on 8th July. Try to do something better than Soviet P-39 story.

[mayfair35]

Hello Gizmo,
The 325th FG shows no claims against Me 410s during the month of July. There were quite a few claims but mostly against Me-109s and FW-190s. However on the 8 July '44 mission to Zwolfaxing A/D, 11 unidentified T/E aircraft were observed but not encountered.
On 16 July 30 plus unaggressive Me-110s were encountered with claims of 7 destroyed and 1 damaged. There was an unusual event during this mission. Three P-51s were diving on 3 Me-110s when the leader observed them. He immediately flipped over, went straight down between the other two, struck the wings of both the other Me-110s and all three smashed together filling the air with a mass of wings, engines, and tails.
Cordially, Art Fiedler

[Peter Kassak]

On July 7, 1944 NO 15 USAAF uit claimed Me 410! I doubt they were in combat. It is highly possible that ZG 76 enganged some 8USAAF planes...maybe stragglers, because no losses are listed, just 3 victories.
The bext day July 8, 1944 became the final day for me 410 in combat with ZG 76...heavy heavy losses....maybe the book is mystaking the date.

[Erich]

7 July 1944

I. and II./ZG 26 was involved with US 8th AF fighters the 4th, 20th and the 55th fg, 355th fg. 1 20th fg P-38 was shot down by a ZG 26 Me 410. II./ZG 26 lost 5 Me 410A-1's and B-2's according to their losses listing.

Interesting I see no losses for ZG 76 on this date

[Gizmo]

Thanks for answers.

My source is 'Me 410 in Combat' by K. Janowicz. I think that author make an mistake with 8th July clash, when in fact I./ZG 76 lost eight Me 410s due to 82nd FG Lightnings. It's odd that 8th July combat is mention in "Me 410 in combat" and eight ZG 76 losses to.

Erich, Did you know something about I./ZG 26 losses on 7th July ? 8th USAAF fighter pilots claimed 21.5 Me 410s shot down, it will be huge overclaiming. In "Me 410 in combat" I found information that ZG 26 lost 16 Me 410s that day, but it can be typo for "6" cause book is full of errors.

Its can by interesting for you that except Capt. Jim Morris P-38, USAAF lost in combat with Me 410 also two P-51B. According great "Fighter Units & Pilots of the 8th Air Force' book by Keneth D. Miller:
Lt. J. M. Scally (334th FS/4th FG) collided with Me 410 near Nordhausen, POW,
Lt. H. M. Huish (354th FS/355th FG) hit by debris from Me 410 near Halle, KIA.

[drgondog]

Originally Posted by Gizmo

Thanks for answers.

My source is 'Me 410 in Combat' by K. Janowicz. I think that author make an mistake with 8th July clash, when in fact I./ZG 76 lost eight Me 410s due to 82nd FG Lightnings. It's odd that 8th July combat is mention in "Me 410 in combat" and eight ZG 76 losses to.

Erich, Did you know something about I./ZG 26 losses on 7th July ? 8th USAAF fighter pilots claimed 21 Me 410s shot down, it will be huge overclaiming. In "Me 410 in combat" I found information that ZG 26 lost 16 Me 410s that day, but it can be typo for "6" cause book is full of errors.

Its can by interesting for you that except Capt. Jim Morris P-38, USAAF lost in combat with Me 410 also two P-51B. According great "Fighter Units & Pilots of the 8th Air Force' book by Keneth D. Miller:
Lt. J. M. Scally (334th FS/4th FG) collided with Me 410 near Nordhausen, POW,
Lt. H. M. Huish (354th FS/355th FG) hit by debris from Me 410 near Halle, KIA.

Heber Huish flying Kinnard's wing, flew into an engine from a 410 that Kinnard blew up. The 355th claimed 13 and were awarded 11 Me 410's for July 7 between the 354 and 357FS.

I read each of the encounter reports and there isn't much doubt that these a/c were destroyed - either blown up or fire balls, or wing separating..possibly Ju 88s were mis identified as 410s..

Bill

[Erich]

according the to the listing from Freiburg I see only II./ZG 26 losses nothing for I. gruppe or III./ZG 26

for the 8th of July I have 8 losses from I./ZG 76, nothing from the other 2 gruppen.

granted there just might be some pages missing in someway from my lists. anyone else care to add ?

E ~

[Gizmo]

Thanks,

III./ZG 26 are re-equipment from Bf 110G-2 to Me 262A-1 at this time. I think that this unit never use Me 410.