The Niš Incident: How a Mistake Led to a ‘Friendly Fire Dogfight’ Between Allies During World War II

Photo Credit: Interim Archives / Getty Images
Photo Credit: Interim Archives / Getty Images

During the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union forged an alliance against Germany. Hence, it was a surprise when American pilots started to launch an assault on Red Army ground troops near the Serbian city of Niš in late 1944.

The motives behind the attack remain unclear, as both sides have opted not to disclose details. Nonetheless, one indisputable fact remains: the Niš Incident was a clear example of the tragic phenomenon of friendly fire.

A big mistake by the American forces

Yugoslav Partisans walking through the city center of Belgrade, Serbia
Partisan units of the Yugoslav National Liberation Army marching into liberated Belgrade, Serbia, 1944. (Photo Credit: Sovfoto / Universal Images Group / Getty Images)

On November 7, 1944, the Soviet 6th Guards Rifle Corps moved towards Belgrade, Serbia, with the intention of bolstering the Hungarian front in the southern region against potential assaults.

Simultaneously, the US 82nd Operations Group (82 OG) provided aerial assistance to the Red Army. However, a huge error occurred on this day. The Americans appeared to be unaware that the Soviets had advanced 100 km beyond their anticipated position. Despite assurances from the US Mediterranean Air Force command that German forces were not close to Niš, the 82nd proceeded with an attack.

It seems they mistakenly identified the advancing Soviet troops as German forces.

Friendly fire dogfight

Lockheed P-38 Lightning in-flight
Lockheed P-38 Lightning. (Photo Credit: Camerique / Getty Images)

A group of Lockheed P-38 Lightnings open-fired on the Soviet convoy. It’s unclear how many American aircraft were involved in the attack, but the Red Army quickly retaliated, believing them to be Luftwaffe-flown Focke-Wulf Fw-189 Uhus

Orders were given to Soviet pilots, based out of the nearby Niš Constantine the Great Airport, to aid in the engagement. Multiple Yakovlev Yak-9 and Yak-3s flew to the area, immediately engaging with the P-38s in an action-filled dogfight. It took some time, but the Red Army aviators eventually identified the white stars on the American fighters and laid off their weapons. 

The Incident only lasted for 15 minutes 

Soviet Yakovlev Yak-9d fighters lined up with two men on one.
Soviet air force Yakovlev Yak-9d fighters lined up on an airfield (Photo Credits: Sovfoto / Universal Images Group / Getty Images).

From the ground, the Soviets attempted to flag the Americans, to show they were firing at their allies. For whatever reason, they didn’t take notice of this information. It wasn’t until they showed the massive Red Star on their fighters that the American pilots realized they were engaging an ally and quickly withdrew. 

What became known as the Niš Incident only lasted about 15 minutes. This may seem short, but it was enough for both sides to have aircraft shot down. 

The reason it happened is still unclear 

Three Yakovlev Yak-9s in flight
Yakovlev Yak-9s. (Photo Credit: Sovfoto / Universal Images Group / Getty Images)

The exact reason for why the Niš Incident occurred is still unclear. The explanation given is that the Americans mistook the Red Army troops for Germans, but details have been handled as top secret.

Many speculate there may have been some other underlying reason for the attack. At the time, tensions were high between the US and the Soviet Union, and some believe the bad blood between the two was aired out that day. Whether this is true or not won’t be clarified until information becomes unclassified.

Each side has a different account of the event

Lockheed P-38s lined up at an airfield.
A group of Lockheed P-38 Lightnings lined up on the field at a U.S. Army sub-airbase at Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo Credits: Bettmann / Getty Images).

Each side maintains their own account of what happened. The number of casualties for each varies, with the Soviets suffering between 31-34 casualties, around 37-39 wounded and 20 cargo trucks burned. The US contends that four Soviet aircraft and two P-38 Lightnings were lost that day, while the USSR claimed the total was actually two Yaks and five P-38s. 

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Ultimately, the US military apologized for the mistake.

Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder!

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