36 Me-262 vs 1,000 Allied bombers & 800 fighters April 1945

[panzermahn]

Hello all

I read somewhere that 36 Me-262 jets flew off to take 1,000 Allied bombers escorted by 800 fighters during April 1945. It was said that 11 B-17 bombers were shot down for the loss of 4 Me-262s.

Is this an apocrypha story or is it a factual battle?

Many thanks
Panzermahn

[RandJS]

Panzerman,

Quickly checking several sources, the Luftwaffe put up 47 Me-262's on April 4th. 8th AF dispatched 950 (effective) bombers and 812 (effective) fighters that day.
Germans jets claimed 7 bombers and 2 fighters destroyed.
8AF records show 6 bombers of 438 group and 4 escorting fighters lost.
Germans lost some 8 Me-262 destroyed, 5 Damaged.

On April 10, Me-262s had 55 sorties. 8th AF had 1232 (effective) bombers, and 868 (effective) fighters.
Germans jets claimed 9 bombers destroyed.
8AF records show 9 bombers of the 442 group lost.
Germans lost 27 Me-262.

Hope that helps somewhat.
Rand

[panzermahn]

Hi Rand

Thanks a lot. It really helps.

Best regards
Panzermahn

[Erich]

6 B-24's were lost to JG 7 jets on the 4th of April, 1 from the 389th, 2 from the 445th and 3 from the 448th, the Jets also over ran the B-17's of the 3rd B.Divison as well on the 4th of April 45.

April 10th was a slaughter of the jets written in many accounts but there was some general chaos in the reports and claiming of the LW craft. JG 7 alone accounted for 18 US A/C many by the useage of R4M's from the 1st and 3rd A. Divisons including P-51's and 2 P-47's were claimed. JG 7 and I./KG(J)54 lost 5 pilots KIA and some 14 MIA. Jet losses amounted to 13 down, 14 missing and 8 damaged. Ace Walter Schuck was shot down but he bailed out of his 262.

E ~