19:36 The German night fighter controllers were expecting a raid on Berlin and their first reaction to the British bombers came from the 3 JD controller by directing a handful of Aufklärer (reconnaissance aircraft) of NJG 1,2 and 3 to a position over the North Sea, north of Den Helder and Wilhelmshaven. These were the first of a maximum effort of 243 Nachtjäger of the I. Jagdkorps that were sent into action during the course of the night.
Search
Lapes
Categories
- 22 March 1944 (81)
- Combat (3)
- Crashed (3)
- GAF (27)
- NJG Claim (14)
- RAF (38)
- Uncategorized (1)
- USAAF (5)
22nd March 1944
For most people Wednesday the 22nd of March 1944 has no particular significance; for others it brought life changing events.
It is 1664 days since the invasion of Poland and the world is gripped by war. In Italy, Mount Vesuvius is erupting and the 3rd battle of Monte Cassino is in progress. In just three days Germany has occupied Hungary and installed a new government. In the Battle of the Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket in north-western Ukraine, Russian tanks break through the lines of the German 1st Panzer Army.
Along India's border with Burma the British and Japanese forces clash in the Battle of Imphal.
In the Atlantic the "wolf pack" era ends as Admiral Dönitz orders the U-boats to hunt as lone wolves.
In the European air war the British night time bombing campaign on Berlin is drawing to a close. For the seventh day in a row bad weather prevents RAF bombers targeting Berlin and instead Frankfurt am Main is the main target.