P-38 losses in Albania ?
 

What exactly are the losses of P-38 (if there are losses?) in the region of Cap Rodoni (Albania),on 25/10/43 and 31/10/43?

9 P-38 were claimed by Luftwaffe these two days.

Michel

Re: P-38 losses in Albania ?
 

The only one that can find is 43-2354 12th AF 82FG/97FS 25/10/1943 Williams, Robert B. Jr. MIA (Unrecovered) MACR 1011.
Nothing for 31/10/1943.

Sean

Re: P-38 losses in Albania ?
 

25.10.1943
40 Mitchells and 12 Lightnings attacked Podgorica airfield. German losses: 3 aircraft destroyed, 5 damaged, 5 men killed and 38 wounded. Allied losses: 6 aircraft shot down by German fighters plus 1 other show down by German Flak.
[OBSO Tagesbericht.]

Stab/XXI. Geb. A.K. KTB entry comment on the above attack: "During a heavy air attack on Podgorica, 5 Bf 109s were destroyed and 2 more damaged. The Allies lost 6 aircraft shot down by our own fighters. A considerable amount of aviation fuel and other material was lost on the airfield."
[NARA WashDC RG 242 Microcopy T-314 roll 661 frame 148.]

There is no German report for 31.10.1943, but there is for 01.11.1943 in which 11 Spitfires plus 14 more aircraft flew a follow-up raid on Podgorica airfield. The Germans lost 3 aircraft destroyed, including a Ju 52 with 20 wounded and other passengers aboard, and 2 more damaged. The Allies lost 4 aircraft shot down by German fighters plus another probably brought down by Flak.
[OBSO Tagesbericht.]

There is no mention of Cap Rodoni in either report.

L.

Re: P-38 losses in Albania ?
 

Thanks Sean and Larry

So in summary:

25/10/43:6 P-38 claimed by IV/JG27 "Rodoni-Bar-Oslo" in Albania

7 aircraft shot down: one P-38 of 82°FG....and the others? also P-38?

31/10/43:nothing? the IV/JG27 claimed 3 P-38 "Rodoni" according J.Prien

and the 4 aircraft shot down the 01/11/43,an idea of their identity?

Michel

Re: P-38 losses in Albania ?
 

Hello,
From the Tony Woods files
24-10-43 - 1 - P38 claim by JG53.
25-10-43 - 6 - P38 claims all by JG27.
31-10-43 - 3 - P38 claims all by JG27.
1-11-43 - 1 Hurricane and 2 P40.
Alex

Re: P-38 losses in Albania ?
 

In Boris Ciglic book "Me-109: the Yugoslav story", German claims are as given here.
Losses are listed as Sean Welch stated, with one more plane damaged. Two pilots jointly claimed one Me-109.

For Oct 31, Germans lost commander Burk, claimed 3 P-38, Americans lost no planes, claimed 3 Me-109.

Re: P-38 losses in Albania ?
 

On Oct 25 , 43 mission to Podgorika Airfield led by Lt.Col.Litton 82nd FG .Lt. Bob Williams did not return to Lecce .

1st FG did not show any losses as of Oct 25,43 and is not clear if at all participated , same about 14th FG.

On Oct 31,43 while III/JG.27 reported losing 1 plane claiming 3 P-38 though no
P-38's losses by 82nd FG reported during the attack on Tirana Airfiled.1st and 14th
FG seems to have not participated.

From Nov 1,43 1,14 and 82nd FG left left 12th AF and became part of 15th AF

Thats all what is available

Alex K