Hello All,

Only my 2nd or 3rd post so bare with me.

I mentioned in another thread on the forum that i am after information regarding a P-38 attack on friendly lines on 27th December 1944 in the vicinty of Manhay Belgium. The unit attacked was the 3rd Battalion of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. They had just retaken Manhay from elements of the German 2nd SS Panzer Division during the battle of the Bulge. The re-capture was so swift that it's beleived the town was still considered to be in German hands, thus being the reason for the attack. The attack killed 3 members of the 517th as well as wounding many others, one seriously.

I have found out that only two of the three Aircorps units operating P-38s in the ETO at that time, only the 370th and 474th flew sorties that day.

Any information regarding this attack would be most appreciated.

Regards, Adam

Adam,

The following story by Ted Breeden appears to mention another P-38 attack on own troops, but here at/near Grandmesnil:
http://members.tripod.com/hldnoqtr/roh11.htm

Regards,
Leendert

Adam,
Not fully clear if same incident is described, but Dutch website
http://www.strijdbewijs.nl/ardennen/tour/3.htm mentions that 11 P-38s of 430th FS (474th FG) attacked own troops in area of your research.

Regards,

Leendert

ORIGINAL: Leendert

Adam,

The following story by Ted Breeden appears to mention another P-38 attack on own troops, but here at/near Grandmesnil:
http://members.tripod.com/hldnoqtr/roh11.htm

Regards,
Leendert

 
The story above mentions they were hit by rockets, that were described as Meme..which are land based type..
 
Terry T.

ORIGINAL: Leendert

Adam,
Not fully clear if same incident is described, but Dutch website
http://www.strijdbewijs.nl/ardennen/tour/3.htm mentions that 11 P-38s of 430th FS (474th FG) attacked own troops in area of your research.

Regards,

Leendert

 
The implication above is that US P-38 attacked there own troops on purpose.  Not so!!
 
Terry T.
 
 

This is definately getting me closer. I need as much info as possible as i am writing a book about the 517th and the 551st in the battle of the Bulge.

Cheers for the info!

Adam

Adam:
Always cross-check your sources with information from offical squadron and.or group histories.
 
If you cross check with someone who wrote a book about any incident, they may have used someone else's book as there source, and if  that source is incorrect and is not caught, it just goes from one to book to another...people begin to belive its gospel.
 
 
 
Terry T.

Terry,
 
An attack on own troops surely cannot be intentional, so any suggestion that I implied as much is erroneous.
 
The Ted Breeden story says that P-38s dropped some bombs directly overhead upon which he believes an ammunition truck own their own exploded.
The rockets you mention are in the Frank Maresca story.
 
In all cases, "friendly fire" unfortunately continues till this day.
 
Regards,
 
Leendert