11 January 1944 Oschersleben

[kettbo]

I was discussing this raid with brother John the other day. His pal Scott was saying Jan '44 that the LW was spent. Brother John was saying no, not the case. Before even looking up the mission, I told John that the LW was probably not in the Greatest shape then but they were far from down and out, still plenty powerful. Looking around, the AARs say the missions that day that the LW had some 500 defenders up and 60 bombers and 5 fighters were lost. One Group lost 13 bombers, YIKES!!! This was a very nasty day!!! I did not scroll, check off the sources of the losses but I do have the info. The AARs I've seen so far, the debrief note include comments such as "likely over-claimed"

Mission summaries say that a large part of the raid aborted, this left a limited number (but still many!) of bombers facing what appeared to be a max effort defense. I also understand some of the escorts aborted, more so on the return leg escort missions. Recipe for a lot of casualties.

Curious as to the LW claims on this raid
Curious as to the real LW losses
Looking for more details on the German reaction; Units, and from this maybe any weapons details. I see some accounts list rocket hits.... Was thinking that the cannon pods would have been more common, thought they had given up on them later in 1943. Any data would help!

This was the raid MAJ Howard in P-51 "DING HAO" defended the bombers single-handed and earned the MoH.
He is credited with a Me110 as his first kill, will be looking for the other claims, think 3-4 in all plus probables and damaged LW planes, types yet known to me.

side note
Very pleased that another brother Eddie was crew for the Cavanaugh Air Museum's B-25J "BARBIE III" for the 75th Doolittle Raid gathering at Wright Patterson

 

[Erich]

the LW claimed over 60 victories everything the LW could put up was used. reality: the LW lost 39 out of 207 fighters engaged. the 60 losses by the US also includes the raid to Brunswick. In both ops ZG Bf 110G-2's with cannon and underwing rockets.

 

[Milosh]

TUESDAY, 11 JANUARY 1944

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 182. Three aviation industry targets in Germany are hit; fierce opposition estimated at 500 Luftwaffe fighters is encountered and 60 bombers and 5 fighters are lost.

1. 177 B-17's are dispatched to Oschersleben; 139 hit the primary and 20 hit targets of opportunity; they claim 174-32-63 Luftwaffe aircraft; 34 B-17's are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 83 damaged; casualties are 9 KIA, 11 WIA and 349 MIA.

2. 114 B-17's are dispatched to Halberstadt; 52 hit the primary and 55 hit targets of opportunity; they claim 35-11-19 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 B-17's are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 42 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 18 WIA and 81 MIA. 177 P-47's and 44 Ninth Air Force P-51's escort; they claim 29-11-14 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-47's are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 4 P-47's and 1 P-51 are damaged; casualties are 2 KIA and 2 MIA. Major James H Howard, a P-51 pilot of the 354th Fighter Group, shot down an Me 110 and then found himself the lone escort for a B-17 group being attacked by 30 Luftwaffe aircraft. For the next 30 minutes, he kept turning into the enemy fighters and firing until only one gun was firing; by this time, he was credited with 2-1-2 Luftwaffe aircraft and saved the B-17's. Major Howard was awarded the Medal of Honor.

3. 234 B-17's and 138 B-24's are dispatched to Brunswick; 47 B-17's hit the primary, 114 hit Osnabruck, 25 hit Bielefeld, 22 hit Peine, 10 hit Herford and 1 hit Nienburg; no B-24's hit the primary, 58 hit Meppen, 1 hits Lingen and 7 hit other targets; they claim 19-17-16 Luftwaffe aircraft; 16 B-17's and 2 B-24's are lost, 1 each damaged beyond repair and 47 B-17's and 7 B-24's damaged; casualties are 5 WIA and 176 MIA. This mission is escorted by 49 P-38's and 322 P-47's; they claim 2-1-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-38 and 2 P-47's are lost and 1 P-47 is damaged; casualties are 1 MIA. Among the PFF aircraft are 4 B-24's, this being the first time B-24's are used in this capacity.
HQ 96th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) is activated at Horsham St Faith, England.

Eighth Air Force Historial Society

 

[Erich]

US overclaiming no doubt, same was for earlier missions in the autumn of 1943.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

the LW claimed over 60 victories everything the LW could put up was used. reality: the LW lost 39 out of 207 fighters engaged. the 60 losses by the US also includes the raid to Brunswick. In both ops ZG Bf 110G-2's with cannon and underwing rockets.

Welcome back my friend. It is great to see you back here!

 

[Erich]

thanks Chris good to be back and upright