#Ww2 air combat maneuvers plus#

ĭuring World War II, Littge flew 91 combat missions and was credited with the destruction of 10.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1 shared kill, and 13 destroyed on the ground while strafing enemy airfields. For his heroism in the mission, he was awarded Distinguished Service Cross – the second only to Medal of Honor. Of the fourteen aircraft destroyed in the attack by the flight, Littge was personally credited in destroying six aircraft in the attack, while carrying out seven strafing attacks against the aerodrome despite his aircraft sustaining severe damage from anti-aircraft fire. On April 17, 1945, Littge led his flight in attacking a German aerodrome in Plattling. After engaging in brief evasive maneuvers, the Me 262 crashed, crediting Littge with his tenth and final aerial victory. Littge flew behind the Me 262 and fired at it, with strikes hitting the right engine of the aircraft. Not long, he noticed another Me 262 approaching the airfield. On January 24, 1945, he shot down a Bf 109 over Bonn and on March 23, while leading the 'Yellow' flight, Littge attempted to attack a jet-powered Messerschmitt Me 262 that attacked a group of B-24 Liberators.Īfter engaging in a 15-minute chase of the aircraft, he decided to break of the chase and to orbit around Rechlin–Lärz Airfield in the hopes of engaging a Me 262 in a landing pattern.

Littge continued to score aerial and ground victories. For his heroism in the aerial battle, he was awarded the Silver Star. In the ensuing battle, Littge shot down two Fw 190s. Meyer that had started their takeoff roll when a large formation of Fw 190s and Bf 109s hit the field. On New Year's Day 1945, Littge was one of 12 Mustang pilots led by 487th FS commander John C. ĭuring the Battle of the Bulge, which started on December 16, the 487th Fighter Squadron was moved forward to airfield Y-29 near Asch, Belgium. With the help of French Resistance, he escaped capture and managed to return to England within 12 days. On a fighter sweep later in the year over France, he was shot down, but managed to bail out his aircraft. He finally became a flying ace, when he shot down three Focke-Wulf Fw 190s on December 27, bringing his total to six aerial victories. Initially he was credited in shooting down two Bf 109s, but a review of Littge's gun camera resulted him in being credited with three aerial victories. On his 46th mission, Littge scored his first aerial victories, when he shot down three Messerschmitt Bf 109s on November 27, 1944. Based at RAF Bodney in Norfolk, England, he flew his first combat mission on July 1, 1944. World War II Littge onboard his P-51D 'Miss Helen'Īfter completing training in the P-51 Mustang, Littge was assigned to the 487th Fighter Squadron of the 352nd Fighter Group. Littge was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings at Dale Mabry Field in Florida, on December 5, 1943. Army Air Forces on July 1, 1942, and was not inducted until January 19, 1943, at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Military career Īfter graduation from high school, Littge enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. He attended Altenberg High School for two years, but graduated from Perryville High School in 1942. In 1939, he gained interest in flying and worked in a farm to pay for his flying lessons. After his father passed away when he was at age 4, Littge, six brothers and a sister were raised by their mother. Littge was born on 1923 to Henry and Martha Ahner Littge. Raymond Henry Littge (Octo– May 20, 1949) was an American flying ace in the 352nd Fighter Group during World War II, who was credited with 23.5 aerial victories.

Ww2 air combat maneuvers