JG 77 combats 13.08.1943
 

Unfortunately I don't have access to their unit history. Can someone provide details of JG 77 losses on this date, if any, and information about other German fighter units that may have been operating in close proximity.

Thanks in advance.

Re: JG 77 combats 13.08.1943
 

Hi,


according to the Prien`s book there was only one combat between II/JG77 and P-40s. II/JG77 should indirectly escort 5 Do 217 during their sweep around the north coast of the Sicily. The Do 217 with their directly escort from I/JG77 were called off (the reason was absence of allied ships in this area) so the II/JG77 was given the task to fly a fighter sweep in Messina and north coast Sicily area. After 50 minutes flying the Germans noticed over the road to Messina the allied Jabos - from 25 to 30 P-40s - and attacked them. Uffz.Loebering claimed 1 P-40 s/d and Lt.Reinert claimed 3 P-40 s/d but was himself s/d over See in Planquadrat 59/7/3/1 east of Milazzo (G-6 W.Nr.20380 100% loss)
The other loss of JG77 on this day was caused by mechanical failure and ended with emergency landing in Vibo-Valentia (G-6 W.Nr.15352 damaged).
The other units:
- IV/JG3 - none losses on this day
- JG53 - two none-combat losses
- II/JG51 - ?
I think that II/JG77 combated with 79 FG which in fact lost one P-40 and two P-40 damaged. Could somebody confirm that?

Regards


Robert

Re: JG 77 combats 13.08.1943
 

Thanks Robert. I am fairly certain that the 87th Fighter Squadron was the USAAF unit involved in those combats. However, there were two distinctly separate engagements during the same mission. The squadron was bounced near Messina, and a short time later German fighters appeared again over the Gulf of Milazzo. It seems that planes from JG 77 and the 87th FS engaged, then dispersed, then reassembled, and then attacked each other a second time.

Did Prien say that Reinert's plane exploded in the air?

Re: JG 77 combats 13.08.1943
 

Hi,


Reinert made a "notwasserung" - belly landed in sea.
How many claims was made by 87FS in this combat?

Regards


Robert

Re: JG 77 combats 13.08.1943
 

The 87th Fighter Squadron was on a ground attack mission with 500-lb bombs when jumped north of Messina by ten German fighters, identified variously as ME-109s and FW-190s. At that time Paul McArthur claimed one German fighter destroyed, while one Curtiss P-40 was shot down. Francis Hennin bailed out safely and he was later rescued from the sea.

The 87th continued on with the mission and later German fighters attacked over the Gulf of Milazzo. No other P-40s were shot down, but several pilots reported seeing a German fighter explode in the air. After debriefing, it was agreed that none of the P-40 pilots opened fire on this enemy aircraft. The conclusion was that a Me 109 was shot down in error by a German pilot. Morris Watkins nevertheless petitioned for and received credit for its destruction.

I'm not sure if McArthur's claim was approved by higher HQs.

Re: JG 77 combats 13.08.1943
 

Hi,

Reinert claimed his first victory in this combat at 10.45, then next were on 10.54 and 10.55 and Uffz.Loebering claimed the last at 11.00.
Reinert reported that after his first victory the P-40 formation was scattered and P-40 started to withdraw in western direction.


Regards

Robert

Re: JG 77 combats 13.08.1943
 

I forgot to mention that during the second engagement, Leo Berinati and William Rogers each claimed one German fighter shot down into the sea.