On March 18th 1945 thirty-seven Me 262s intercepted a force of 1,221 bombers and 632 escorting fighters. They managed to shoot down 12 bombers and 1 fighter for the loss of 3 Me 262s. Although 4 to 1 exchange numbers were exactly what the Luftwaffe was dreaming about, it represented only 1% of the attacking force — more were lost to mechanical problems. Any more info on this Battle anyoone? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me_262
Thank you Erich, I had a feeling that you would answer Mr. Air Minister Is that written article online? If so could you send it to me, i would greatly appreciate it.
This was the 8th AF's biggest raid to date on the Berlin area. Bomb Group losses were : - 92BG - 1 305BG - 1 379BG - 1 401BG - 1 457BG - 1 467BG - 1 100BG - 3 385BG - 1 390BG - 2 452BG - 1 Other aircraft either force-landed in Soviet-held territory or were declared total loss after landing. Once again, the 'Bloody Hundredth' lost heaviest when their low squadron ( keeping poor formation ) was attacked by 4 Me 262s near Salzwedel. Roger A Freeman's ' Mighty Eighth War Diary ' contains a good photo of aircrew viewing 30mm shell damage to the 457BG's Lady Be Good at Glatton after this raid.
Erich, Didn't I sent you Mr. Griego's account and info in a *.txt file way back about this date? His 100th BG B17 was downed by a ME262 as well... I am sure that was this date. If you have that info still available, could you sent it my way, as it has info I can use for my research into Americans buried in Margraten. I think I remember that three of his crew are buried there. I lost this info myself in my november PC crash.
Sergeant Joseph Griego was tail-gunner in B-17 43-38861 'Miss Nancy II' which was attacked by an Me 262 at 11:14 hrs. With two engines on fire, the B-17 dived out of formation and then suddenly nosed up, and the tail section broke free. Sergeant Griego was very lucky to escape from the detached tail section. One waist gunner, the ball-turret gunner, radio operator and pilot Edward 'Duke' Gavin, who was last seen calmly fastening the straps of his parachute, sadly were not so fortunate.
Indeed Martin! Three of the crew are buried in Margraten, Holland. So I am researching the lives and times of this crew. I am at work so I don't have the info at the ready. Unfortunately haven't been able to get in touch with Mr. Griego for a long time. May I ask you for your source?
As always and ever, Stevin, it's from Richard Le Strange's ' Century Bombers : The Story Of The Bloody Hundredth' ( the same copy I had signed by 100th veterans at Thorpe Abbotts a couple of years back )
I was about to add some more to this discussion but just noticed that half the thread's disappeared ! What the heck is going on ?
BTW, Martin, The pilot's name is GWIN. I have his story on my site now. Will add the info you provided here.
