2/Lt. Frederick O Trafton
 

Can anybody confirm this loss on June 6th, 1943?

308th FS, 31st FG. 2/Lt. Frederick Osborn Trafton Jr returned

This particular loss not listed by 31st FG Honor Roll, nor A History of the Mediterranean Air War volume 4

Re: 2/Lt. Frederick O Trafton
 

Nick,

It was not a loss at all, probably the confusion arises from the wording used.
The 308th FS flew as escort to RAF Baltimores bombing Pantelleria on 6 June 1943. They were attacked by "eight ME 109s" which managed to single Trafton out and made numerous attacks on him. When some of his squadron came to help him he managed to dive away and flew straight back to their base in Tunisia, "arriving well ahead of the rest of the flight". Hence the use of 'returned' I think.

My source for the above is 'IN A NOW FORGOTTEN SKY' (The 31st Fighter Group in WW2) by Dennis C. Kucera, page 92.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

Re: 2/Lt. Frederick O Trafton
 

Martin,

You're a champ. Many thanks, that explains everything.

Nick

Re: 2/Lt. Frederick O Trafton
 

Trafton was shot down in Yugoslavia on April 23rd 1944, and was evacuated on July 15.