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CONFIDENTIAL Mission No. 246 Cont'd. 4. E/A (air) a. Seen (not encountered): 30 ME-262's, 3 FW-190's, 1 ME-163 and 1 F-51 type A/C (painted black and bearing German markings) were seen between 1210 and 1215 hours in the area of 515OH - 1300E and 5210N - 1205E at 27 to 28,000 feet. These E/A were not attacking B-17's, but it is believed they were preparing to intercept escorted bombers. b. Encountered: 4 ME-262's were encountered at 1208 hours at 5208N - 1304E at 26,000 feet. These 4 E/A directed their attack against the lower echelon of the lead group of B-17's from 7o'clock high. 2 ME-262's were damaged. E/A were not aggressive to fighters. 1 ME-262 made a pass on fighters at 1212 hours in area of 5210N - 1304E from 20,000 feet. The ME-262 made on pass from 1 o'clock high then broke off contact. No damage was done by the ME-262. 3 ME-262's were encountered at 1215 hours in the vicinity of 5218N - 1306E at 26,000 feet. The 3 ME-262's were making an attack from 5 o'clock high on the lead group of B-17's when our A/C attacked and damaged 1 ME-262. 9 ME-262's and 1 ME-163 were engaged from 1210 to 1225 hours in the vicinity of 5150N - 1300E at 27,000 feet as the E/A dived through a formation of B-17's. 17 P-51's engaged these 10 E/A destroying 3 ME-262's and probably destroying 2 ME-262's and 1 ME-163. The E/A were unaggressive and were not inclined to engage our fighters. 7 ME-262's were engaged at 1215 hours in the area of 5210N - 1205E at 26,000 feet when E/A made passes from 9 o'clock low and 6 o'clock high in formations of 4 and 3 respectively. 1 ME-262 scored a direct hit against 1 F-51, knocking off its right wing. Total Claims: 3 ME-262's destroyed, 2 ME-262's and 1 ME-163 probably destroyed, and 3 ME-262's damaged. 5. FLAK: Nil. 6. OBSERVATIONS: Nil. 7. RADIO SECURITY: Satisfactory. 8. FRIENDLY A/CL At 1343 hours 1 B-17 was seen hit by flak and began spinning earthward above Prague. No chutes were seen. 9. STRAFING: 2 P-51's strafed rail traffic at 4825N - 1330E at 1310 hours. Claims: 1 locomotive damaged. 2 P-51's strafed rail traffic at 4825N - 1240E at 1315 hours. Claims: 3 RR cars damaged. 1 P-51 strafed rail traffic at 4803N - 1331E at 1315 hours. Claims: 1 locomotive damaged. Total strafing claims: 2 locomotives and 3 RR cars damaged. 10. COMMENTS: 1st Fighter Group P-38's were not seen when this Group began escort. - 2 - CONFIDENTIAL
