Originally posted by DB603:
S!
There was also problems with these "ferry bombings" from England to Russian bases(Poltava etc.) and then back.One instance was that the escorting P51D's attacked Russian La5FN's which were coming to relieve the P51's.In the ensuing dogfight 3 Mustangs were downed and 1 US pilot killed(plane exploded) to 0 losses of Russian La5's.
It was found out after the fight that US pilots mistook the La5's as FW190's and decided to attack.Sadly enough the leader of the P51's was killed 
Maybe the too aggressive attitude and urge to kill a Jerry caused this and recognition was done badly or not at all...Shoot first then ask 
What is your source for this story? There are no records of American P-51 fighters lost in combat with Soviet fighters during any of the "Frantic" missions.
Another point: Soviet fighters did not relieve the American escorts. Those Mustangs and P-38s flew escort all the way to the Soviet airfields. There is one documented instance of a gaggle of Soviet Yaks (descriptions of Soviet formations picture the Russians as flying in disorganized herds, with the general concensus being that a Soviet formation consisted of two or more aircraft flying in the same general direction at the same time of day) venturing too close to the B-17s, only to have a squadron of Mustangs tear through their formation (sic) at high speed, scattering the
Russians. Later, the local Soviet commander protested the "bounce" to the senior American officer. The American officer reminded the Russian that the agreement with
the Soviets required VVS aircraft to remain well away from the bombers to prevent a friendly fire incident. Soviet aircraft that approached the bombers, did so at their own risk as the bomber gunners would fire on anything suspicious or not readily identified.
For the record, 22 La-9 and La-11 fighters were destroyed by F-51 and F-82 Mustangs (without loss) over Korea, all engagements occurring below 20,000 feet.
My regards,
