Soviet Fighters Escort US Bombers - Aircraft of World War II

SelimtheGrim · 11-06-2007, 06:37 AM

I saw a source online that mentioned Soviet fighters escorting US bombers on their way to Eastern European oil fields. Did that ever actually happen? I've searched around and haven't been able to confirm it. Any info would be appreciated.

Micdrow · 11-06-2007, 06:46 AM

Now that is a very interesting question. To be honest I dont have an answer but I have read this once in a while also but never have seen any proof of it.
Ive read that British pilots that where to train Soviet pilots in the Hurricane's where escorted deep into Soviet Territory under Soviet fighter escort. I always thought that this was so they did not get shot down due to friendly fire.

Any body else know more on the subject?

Soundbreaker Welch? · 11-06-2007, 06:59 AM

I suspect the British and Americans weren't the most trustful of Soviet escorts.

But that's just a guess.

I heard one time of a case by Erich Hartmann where the US and Russians fighters
started shooting at each other, each thinking their ally had shot one of them down, but it was actually a German who had bounced them and caused the trouble.

AL Schlageter · 11-06-2007, 08:07 AM

Yes it was La's and Mustangs.

The Mustang looks much like a Me109 and the La looks much like a Fw190A.

The German fighter was a Fw190A.

drgondog · 11-06-2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SelimtheGrim

I saw a source online that mentioned Soviet fighters escorting US bombers on their way to Eastern European oil fields. Did that ever actually happen? I've searched around and haven't been able to confirm it. Any info would be appreciated.

I know it did not happen on any Frantic escort missions from UK to Russia to Italy and back.

I haven't found any reference of Soviet fighters 'escorting' 8th or 15th AF to Brux, Posnan or Ploesti.

Near the end of the war they may have been in same areas like Leipzig, Brux, Ploesti, etc but not on a planned basis - we had all the escort fighters we needed by the time the Soviets had their own fighters over those targets

delcyros · 11-06-2007, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgondog

I know it did not happen on any Frantic escort missions from UK to Russia to Italy and back.

I haven't found any reference of Soviet fighters 'escorting' 8th or 15th AF to Brux, Posnan or Ploesti.

Near the end of the war they may have been in same areas like Leipzig, Brux, Ploesti, etc but not on a planned basis - we had all the escort fighters we needed by the time the Soviets had their own fighters over those targets

That´s exactly how I ended up on this issue a while back. Agreed 110%.

Soundbreaker Welch? · 11-07-2007, 08:24 PM

Thanks Shlageter.

SelimtheGrim · 11-07-2007, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgondog

I know it did not happen on any Frantic escort missions from UK to Russia to Italy and back.

I haven't found any reference of Soviet fighters 'escorting' 8th or 15th AF to Brux, Posnan or Ploesti.

Near the end of the war they may have been in same areas like Leipzig, Brux, Ploesti, etc but not on a planned basis - we had all the escort fighters we needed by the time the Soviets had their own fighters over those targets

Thanks for that. I suspected that it wasn't true for half a dozen reasons, but it was too interesting to pass up further research.

11-06-2007, 06:37 AM	#1
SelimtheGrim Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2	Soviet Fighters Escort US Bombers I saw a source online that mentioned Soviet fighters escorting US bombers on their way to Eastern European oil fields. Did that ever actually happen? I've searched around and haven't been able to confirm it. Any info would be appreciated.

11-06-2007, 06:46 AM	#2
Micdrow “Archive” Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,852	Now that is a very interesting question. To be honest I dont have an answer but I have read this once in a while also but never have seen any proof of it. Ive read that British pilots that where to train Soviet pilots in the Hurricane's where escorted deep into Soviet Territory under Soviet fighter escort. I always thought that this was so they did not get shot down due to friendly fire. Any body else know more on the subject? __________________ "Valor does not mean Hero."

11-06-2007, 06:59 AM	#3
Soundbreaker Welch? Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,893	I suspect the British and Americans weren't the most trustful of Soviet escorts. But that's just a guess. I heard one time of a case by Erich Hartmann where the US and Russians fighters started shooting at each other, each thinking their ally had shot one of them down, but it was actually a German who had bounced them and caused the trouble. __________________ "His motor's conked out!" "What's the differance, they're all Nazis!" "Luke, shut up!" "Fear the hook!" "Oh.....I wanna fly." "You mean the kind that go under water and fly up the stairs?" "What you doing? Oh Nooooo!"

11-07-2007, 08:24 PM	#7
Soundbreaker Welch? Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,893	Thanks Shlageter. __________________ "His motor's conked out!" "What's the differance, they're all Nazis!" "Luke, shut up!" "Fear the hook!" "Oh.....I wanna fly." "You mean the kind that go under water and fly up the stairs?" "What you doing? Oh Nooooo!"

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11-06-2007, 08:07 AM	#4
AL Schlageter Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 220	Yes it was La's and Mustangs. The Mustang looks much like a Me109 and the La looks much like a Fw190A. The German fighter was a Fw190A.