What I am wondering is why the US had just four aircraft operating together. By that late in the war the standard was to operate in at least squadron strenght and more often in group strength. Therefore, one would expect 12 to 16 aircraft stacked vertically in groups of four covering each other and if the group is present then the squadrons are positioned to support one another. Therefore, one might expect the two Ta 152 could jump a section of four only to find themselves in a fight with two or three other sections with several more on the way. And, because of the 51's range it is likely the Ta 152 will be dogged all the way home if the US pilots can manage it.

Or (and I'm sure Erich can add to this) the Ta 152 pilots were just glad their aircraft appeared to be running without major problems; glad their flaps retracted fully, the gear came up completely, and the engine developed something close to full power.