(This narative is from an actual flight in yesterdays T.O.D.)
It was just before noon when we began our patrol around berlin. The Americans were almost always on time. every afternoon they would punctually arive in force above Germany and rain down hell on the fatherland.
I./JG33, a force of bf110g2s were prepairing for a rocket attack on the bombers while II./JG33, fw190a8's with whom i had just been reassigned, began our patrol northwest berlin. It started easy enough. A long leisurely climb to 29k, where we waited as the last line of defense of the capital city.
The reports became more constant over the radio. Contacts spotted over Bremerhaven, still a ways away. Then as the jugernaut steamrolled east towards Kiel JG33 was moved into position to intercept.
As we neared the outer fringes of the fight a menacing array of tiny specs dotted the horizon. The first waves of interceptors were meeting fierce resistance from escort fighters and had taken heavy losses. We would be next.
Our 190 flight leader, Major Vulcan ordered us to war emergency power and our bmw engines groaned in the thin air at 29,000 feet. The Sky was now a busy place. Two Mustangs darted through our Focke Wulf's but were not able to turn around to intercept us. We pressed forward towards the bomber stream and found only more mustangs. Our flights were playing catch up now. The american bombers slipped by to our side before we could get in front of them. The Mustangs forced many in our flight to dive out of position. The escorts were determined not necisarily to kill us, but to keep us below the bombers. they would maintain their altitude to keep the b17's covered. I pressed ahead as far as i could before a mustang came diving in on my tail forcing me to dive out of the way. We were ordered to regroup at a new location closer to berlin. our first assault did not reach the flying fortresses. Hopefully other flights were having more success.
We were spread out now. I lost sight of everyone in my flight after I evaded the mustang. I climbed slowly at high speed to our new regrouping point. I could see the americans already east of me, still just specks on the horizon. I asked if i should turn back to find my flight but the orders came back intercept the b17's at all costs. Alone I pressed forward until i heard over the radio Lt. Blkmgc call he was on my 6. We pressed forward and gave our position to Major Vulcan. He radiod back he was not far behind us. Major Ripsnort's bf110's were also regrouping to intercept the bombers. the 110s had been attacked by the escort fighters but most survived and were headed back into the fray.
I could now see clearly the bombers to my side and slightly below. Straggling behind the large formation were many smoking bombers. Escorts and interceptors created a huge storm of fireworks falling behind the bombers. The Luftwaffe was having an effect and for the moment the lead bombers were unprotected. In the fog of war i once again lost sight of everyone. so i radiod my position and was reasured by replies of friendlies close behind me.
"I'm starting my attack run." There they were, the lead group of about 18 b17's and all the mustangs but one were entangled in the 109s 110's and 190's behind. I firewalled thee throttle and targetted the lead bomber. I could see tracers flying towards me from every direction. if it wasnt deadly it would be quite fun to stop and watch them. I pulled up fast in front and above the leader and did a wingover. As i dove i could hear 50 caliber bullets striking my plane. The gunners aim was good, but so was mine. I lined up the lead bomber and fired a concentrated burst into his fuselage by the wing roots. I could see flames beginning to trail back from him as i pulled up from my dive. "1 B17 on fire!" I rolled in again and lined up another b17 and blew off a large chunk of his wing. "2nd B17 down!" I pulled up again and as I climbed up I watched the first bomber explode. I lined up again and fired at another "3rd B17 down!" I radiod my position again, behind I could see small shiny aircraft no longer occupied with enemies behind the bombers. They wanted to kill me now. I had few seconds left to live. I pulled up one last time rolled over and fired all guns in a long burst into a 4th b17. on fire and out of control he fell from formation "4th B17 Down! I'm engaged with mustangs and diving out!" I yelled into my mic as i rolled violently with 3 p51d's on my six. As i was diving out the rest of the flight began making their attacks. the 110s fired rockets into the buffs and the remaining 190's attacked, they downed several more b17's for JG33.
My fight with the three mustangs turned into a 1 versus 1. two of the mustangs pulled back up after a bit of my dive while the third hung tight like glue. I rolled like mad and scissored like hell and he overshot. The Mustang pilot had a chance to run but he wasnt interested in getting away, only in my death. I pulled my 190 around and he disapeared under my nose. I fired my 20mm mg151's and then rolled to see the effect. the hits landed and he was out of control, seconds later he crashed into a hill. I turned toward the nearby airfield 61 northwest of Berlin. Almost out of gas I had to land and rearm. As i waited for the armorors to finish i heard the news that Major Vulcan had killed 2 mustangs and then a b17 but collided with another b17 and had to bail out. most of JG33 had been wiped out by the escorts and bombers defensive guns. A few limped home leaking oil or badly damaged. A few 109s from another group finished rearming and zoomed off towards the enemy.
I gave the signal to the crew chief and fired up my engine. the 190 couldnt climb like the 109 so i turned south in hope of getting to altitude to make a fleeting pass on the overwhelming allied force. I flew far south to Magdeberg to reach 30,000 feet. Already I could see many dots heading towards me from the east. "Bombers!" I thought but only mustangs came into view. Lots of mustangs with speed I thought i could get one but they had the ability to turn around fast and get on the tail of my slow 190. I rolled over and over towards a cloud layer at 25,000 feet. the p-51s broke off their pursuit. As I emerged below the overcast I could see a lone B17 with a single mustange escort north of Magdeburg. I turned and flew at top speed at them. I fired at the escort fighter first and missed completely. He didnt even turn! I had total surprise and i undershot. I turned violently cursing to myself at my incompetance and unleashed all 6 guns on the poor smoking b17 limping home. The Fortresses' wing caught fire and he spiralled out of control. I didnt stay to try to get the escort. The Mustangs that left me above the clouds had now descended below them and I was hightailing it back to base hoping they didnt see me.
They didnt see me but the knew where I was going. Moments after i landed and climbed down from my airplane the air raid siren sounded and 6 mustangs roared down and began straffing the field killing off most of the ack ack gunners before rapidly departing.
I survived the day. But as I walked into the barracks and saw the empty bunks I knew one thing was certain: the Americans would be back tomorrow.
