RIEDESEL'S LAST RIDE

In the winter of '44-'45, I/KG(J) 54
converted from Ju88A bombers to Me262s
and was assigned as "bad weather"
interceptors, although they had only
normal instruments.  The Gruppe suffered
misfortune on it's first mission, and
never really recovered.  On February 25th,
1945, 16 Me262s took off in extremely poor
visibility with a ceiling of 3,500 feet.
Led through the clouds by the
Geschwaderkommodore, Oberstleutnant von
Riedesel, they emerged to be immediately
bounced by P-51Ds of the 38th Fighter
Squadron.  In the ensuing melee von
Riedesel and two other pilots lost their
lives, and 7 planes were written off as
losses.

                MISSION

You have emerged from the clouds, and find
yourself immediately in a bad position.
Engage the enemy.

                 NOTES

This is a straight-out dogfight.  Your
wingmen are not yet that familiar with the
Me262, as you have just transitioned from
the Ju88, so try to do more than your
share of the fighting.

                 SOURCE

Warplanes of the Third Reich, by William
Green, Galahad Books, NY, reprinted 1990.

         SCENARIO DEVELOPMENT

     Gregory M. "Sturmer" Smith
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