Oschersleben, 11 January 1944

Abstract: On 11 January 1944 the US 8th Air Force mounted a maximum effort raid on targets deep in Germany in the vicinity of Brunswick. As the Strike Force moved over the continent, weather conditions, both over continent and the home bases in England began deteriorating rapidly. A recall was sent out to all Wings, except those of the 1st Air Division and the 4th Combat Wing of the 3rd Air Division. Those Wings were closing in on their targets and were allowed to proceed. Because of weather conditions, of the three Fighter Groups assigned to cover the target area, only the 354th Fighter Group, of 49 P-51s, went on to provide cover over the target area. Upon the abort of most of the Strike Force, German fighters were able to concentrate the greatest number of aircraft on the 1 Air Division since October. The ensuing three and one half hour air battle was one of the most harrowing of the war. Sixty B-17s were lost, the number equaling each of the two Schweinfurt missions of the previous August and October. For its action that day, the entire 1st Air Division was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation.Ope