Re: 3rd PRU detachment - Malta 1943
 

Re: 3rd PRU detachment - Malta 1943
 

Lewis H Richardson, born 1916, KIA 28 MAR 1943, 5th Reconnaissance Squadron 3rd Photo Group.
http://usaafdata.com/?q=node/120693
http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ios...il-ww2othq.txt
http://wwii-army.mooseroots.com/l/12...s-H-Richardson

Another Lewis H Richardson, born 1918, Branch Air Corps
http://wwii-army.mooseroots.com/l/19...s-H-Richardson

Re: 3rd PRU detachment - Malta 1943
 

The book "Spitfires over Sicily" describes in detail the activity of Spitfire units based in Malta from January to August 1943. It describes such small operations as pairs of Spitfires flying over Sicily searching targets or raids turned back by weather. 683 Sqn is not so well covered as the fighter units, but special events (loss, near interception by fighters, etc...) are included in the text.

I checked the book from 28 March to 20 April and these is nothing about a P-38 searched or bombed on the ground in a Sicilian airfield. The loss is Richardson is very briefly evocated, but without a date and his name is not given, just that the CO of an American recon detachment was lost during the first PR sortie to Sicily in the end of March.

Re: 3rd PRU detachment - Malta 1943
 

I am convinced there were two Lewis H. Richardson's in the Army Air Force now. And I must say that I am pretty sure Malta based Spitfires didn't have to go bomb a forcelanded F-4 in Sicily. That said, I am planning a visit to the Air Force History Office in DC in the next week or two to look through some material on the NW African Photographic Reconnaissance Wing to include a 143 page history. Will let you know what I find, if anything. Cheers, Mark

Re: 3rd PRU detachment - Malta 1943
 

Hello,
Re there were two at least.
data from the AAIR site
440420 - P40K - 42-10199 - 1023 MS - Laredo AAF, Texas - Landing accident - Richardson, Lewis H.
and
420709 - AT-6A - 42-43844 - 22 AB Sqn - Lowry Field Denver, Col - Landing accident - Richardson, Lewis H.

Our man could not have ben in the 1944 accident ?

So which one was it in 1942 ?

Alex

Re: 3rd PRU detachment - Malta 1943
 

Hi Monaco,

I think Scharl's opponent may have been:

42-13421 of 27th FS, 1st FG. Terry E Dwight KIA

Regards
Nick

Re: 3rd PRU detachment - Malta 1943
 

Thank you Nick,
I guessed so, because the altitude (1,500m) its more to a dogfight with a combat P-38 than to a recce plane.

Regards

Monaco