March3,1943 Spanish He-112 victory over a USAAF P-38
 

On March 3,1943, a Spanish He-112 of the Spanish unit Grupo nº27 forced a USAFF P-38. Its pilot was captured. Can anyone identify the US Unit.
I have seen it identifed as a P-38 of the 14th FG but the 14th was not operational in this time frame.

Re: March3,1943 Spanish He-112 victory over a USAAF P-38
 

What I wrote in my book, 'He 112 In Action', by Squadron/Signal, 1996, was that the P-38F-1Lo was part of the 14th F.G., 12th A.F., based on Youk-les-Bains (French Algeria), a unit integrated into the N.W.Af.A.A.F. - a mixed Anglo-American unit.
The damaged Lightning reportedly belly landed on the Algerian shore of the Mulluya River. Next day, the wreck was reportedly recovered by US troops.

Re: March3,1943 Spanish He-112 victory over a USAAF P-38
 

Hi Denes,

The only thing I know is that the 14th FG was not operational at this time since it was being reconstituted after suffering heavy losses.

Carlos

Re: March3,1943 Spanish He-112 victory over a USAAF P-38
 

14th FG was taken from combat and was transferring from Algeria to French Morocco at that time, I read in the USAAF Chronology. Perhaps a ferry flight when the encounter with the He-112 happened.
I also read that it was a 37th FS machine, but found nothing so far to confirm this.

Regards,

Leendert