2ndLt James R. Rudy, 82nd FG
 

My brother Lt Rudy was shot down on Aug 25, 1943 on a low level attack on the airfield, I believe, at Salasola (nw of Foggiea).He was one of three downed from the 82nd FG. He was taken prisoner by an Italian farmer and later by the Luftwaffe. I am seeking the crash site and the name of the pilot that shot him down. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Re: 2ndLt James R. Rudy, 82nd FG
 

Hi don RUDY,
This was the object of an earlier discussion :

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/archiv...p?t-10224.html

I hope this helps

redcap50

Re: 2ndLt James R. Rudy, 82nd FG
 

Don

The events about Jim Rudy's flight are discussed at pages 96 and 97
of Adorimini .The formation was led by Lt.Hodgson who in 1944 too
would become POW in Romania .Lt Phillips survived the fiery crash
along with Jim Rudy who were surrounded by irate Italian civilians
but luckily protected by wiser farmers who hand them over to
the Germans.

Lt.Pasckiewicz was killed on the same event . There is no other info
related to your bro.

BR
Alex K

Re: 2ndLt James R. Rudy, 82nd FG
 

Thanks Alex K for your research.
Couple more questions. Any log entries on who downed those three P-38s on Aug 25, 1943 and were they shot down on or near the airfield at Salasola, Italy?Was Rudy's plane ever identified?

Re: 2ndLt James R. Rudy, 82nd FG
 

The 95th formation led by Hidgson along with other attacked airfields 7 & 9
of Foggia Complex when from 6 were attacked by a pair of MC 202 which
probably brought down Rudy , Phillips & Paskiewcz .In due course of the
engagement Hodgson brought down a MC 202. This all into that context .

Crash location is presumed somewhere south of Foggia

Alex K

Re: 2ndLt James R. Rudy, 82nd FG
 

Again, thanks Alex. However, I read in the book, Aircraft of the Aces, that Hodgson led his flight of four low over Satellite No 3 taking out a Macchi 202 and then seeing two and then a third P:-38 hit the ground. He took hits from two Macchi fighters that had trailed the flight over the field. If this is an accurate report, is there a log entry from either of these Italian pilots of their kills? Where could one discover the names of the pilots and their base near Foggia?

Re: 2ndLt James R. Rudy, 82nd FG
 

Hello Don

There were no Italian claims over or near Foggia, as far as the MAW team are aware, there was a probable claimed near Naples. The two MC202s were almost certainly Major Johannes Steinhoff and his wing men Oblt Theo Lindemann. Steinhoff claimed four and Lindemann one P-38 all to the south and south west of San Severo and within 3 minutes from 0958 German time. Would you happen to have a photo of your father we could use in Vol 4 of Mediterranean Air War, which covers this days aerial combat?

Regards

Russell

Re: 2ndLt James R. Rudy, 82nd FG
 

Don,

MACR 486 applies.

What is James' middle name? I would like to add that to my records.

And Russell's flying fingers have typoed his request for a photograph for the MAW series (A History of the Mediterranean Air War; senior author Chris Shores; volume 4 to cover the period in which James was shot down). We would like a photo of James, not of your/his father.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Frank, 2nd Lt James Raymond Rudy 82nd FG

Frank, A picture, next month when I get home. And, I'm a little confused to learn that Steinhoff and Linderman would have been flying Italian aircraft--202's. Would there have been any identification of the crash sites from the Italian authorities? I'm still of the impression that Hodgson and his flight were attacking Satellite field #3 at Salsola and would have been shot down near there.

Hopes this helps. Don

Re: 2ndLt James R. Rudy, 82nd FG
 

I have some doubts as into Steinhoff 4 claims and Lindemann 1 , if indeed toe 82nd confused ME-109 with MC 202 then 82 lost on that perimeter
only 3 P-38's and not 5 on the Rudy's issue , which was somewhere near San Severo / Foggia Complex .

Alex K