P38 losses on July 21st 1943 suffered by 8th FG
 

Guys:
I was browsing thru one of the new Osprey 'Ki61 & Ki100 Aces' & came across an air battle that was one of the earliest encounters by allied forces with the Ki61. If I recall, it involved a fight between the 78th Sentai (which suffered 2 KiA & several others who force landed) and P38s of the 8th Fighter Group. What were the losses suffered by the P38s? The text was not too clear as to actual losses-thought admittedly I only gave it the 'once over lightly'.

Thanks ahead of time.

NickM

Re: P38 losses on July 21st 1943 suffered by 8th FG
 

Hello Nick,

The following information is from 'ATTACK & CONQUER: The 8th Fighter Group in WW2' by John Stanaway and Larry Hickey (well known on this forum).
It seems Tonys from the 68th and 78th Sentais, Oscars from the 1st and 24th Sentais and some Lily bombers were involved. Only the 80th FS of the 8th FG, along with other P-38s of the 39th FS from the 35th FG participated on the American side. They were escorting B-25 Mitchells.
According to the book the 80th FS only lost one pilot and P-38, Lt. Murtha McCarthy. No mention of any damaged Lightnings, nor of any losses for the 39th FS.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

Re: P38 losses on July 21st 1943 suffered by 8th FG
 

Thanks; that's how the numbers were broken down in the Osprey book-20 Tonys & 20 Oscars from the 4 Sentai you mentioned escorting 20 Lily bombers vs the 8th squadron & the 39th squadron. But it left out the US losses.

However, in another Osprey book, the text mentioned that P38 engines smoked (& even spewed flame )a lot when they were suddenly put to full throttle. No doubt more than one IJAAF pilot saw a lightning diving away streaming smoke & 'drew the obvious conclusion'