5-10 foot long black streamers behind Fw-190's

[B-17engineer]

One streamer per plane.

 

[Procrastintor]

Ok, maybe they were playing tag, you have to shred the other streamers with your prop.

 

[GrauGeist]

On April 9th, 1944 the 352nd FG's 487th Squadron (elements of it) attacked a trio of Fw-190s that were attacking a single B-24 north of Osnabruck.

Then were the 190's shot down and if so, does the Luftwaffe confirm this.

If the records show the three downed 190s, or at least an engagement that day, you can get the ID of the pilots. At least we'd be able to see if they were rookies or not.

My guess is that they were rookies on thier first flight and that B-24 strayed into thier flight...seeing this, they got "Jadgfeiber" and went after it, not having enough experience to keep an eye out for allied fighters...

 

[Procrastintor]

Look at you guys being detectives, so who's Sherlock and who's Watson?

 

[Procrastintor]

In all seriousness why was the Liberator alone? Damaged?

 

[B-17engineer]

In all seriousness why was the Liberator alone? Damaged?

Probably damaged and fell out of formation..

 

[Procrastintor]

It made it back though right?

 

[GrauGeist]

You can search the 8th AF MACR reports for that date

 

[Procrastintor]

I ask that question because if 3 FW 190s cant kill a lone, damaged bomber it may very well be their first solo.

 

[B-17engineer]

I ask that question because if 3 FW 190s cant kill a lone, damaged bomber it may very well be their first solo.

I wouldn't underestimate the defensive armament of the bombers, it could keep FW-190s at bay long enough for the 486th to see them in need of assistance.

 

[GrauGeist]

I ask that question because if 3 FW 190s cant kill a lone, damaged bomber it may very well be their first solo.

There is also a difference between Fw190s...also, were these Fw190s from a flight school, as we are supposing? If so, they would not have the firepower to tear a bomber apart like the heavily armed Fw190A-8s

Chances are, they were older Fw190A-4 or A-5 aircraft, armed with only the cowl mounted MG17s and wing mounted MG151

If this is the case, then these three attacking a lone B-24 would have been like three young lions trying to take on a wounded Cape Buffalo

 

[Procrastintor]

Those are both good points, also, has anyone found any record of the incident from either side?

 

[fubar57]

13 B-24s were lost on April 09'44. April 1944 USAAF Missing Air Crew Reports

Geo

 

[Procrastintor]

What all do we know about the plane itself, squadron? Pilot?

 

[Procrastintor]

Hey, whats with the Spits and Lancs on that list? It says USAAF on the cover, but does it cover RAF too?

 

[B-17engineer]

Get One Mission

http://www.b24.net/missions/MM040944.htm

Thats everything about mission on April 9th, 1944

 

[fubar57]

The spitfire was likely from an American sqn The pilot listed as missing in action. Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office

Geo

 

[Kryten]

having considered this very carefully, lol, the only possible use for the streamer I can think of is to denote the flight leader for the rookies, yet having more than one flying together seems to defy this?
unless of course the rookies didn't make it?