THE LUFTWAFFE

From the time the 384th took to the hostile skies of Europe, they faced fierce resistance from Germany's crack Jagdgruppen. The German pilots, flying primarily the Messerschmitt Me-109 (also properly known as the Bf-109) and the Focke-Wulf FW-190, exacted a heavy toll on the 384th, but the bomber crews fought back vigorously. By the summer of 1944, the Luftwaffe had lost its dominance of the air, and flak posed the greater threat for the remainder of the war.

German pilots were not rotated out of the combat zone, most flying until they were killed in action. Through the research of the fates of several 384th crews, I [Marc Poole] have come into contact with some of the veterans of both Jagdgeschwader (JG) 26 "Schlageter" and JG 2 "Richtofen." These veterans have extended an invitation to the veterans of the 384th BG to visit them in Germany.


The following photos appear courtesy of AG 11/2 via JG 71

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