Tuskegee pilot Lt Samuel Bruce
 

Hi guys

I have been given to understand that Lt Samuel Bruce, flying a P-40 of the 99thFS, was shot in error by a SAAF Spitfire on 28/1/44 over the Anzio beachhead. Has anyone any details?

Possibly 42-104625

Cheers
Brian

Re: Tuskegee pilot Lt Samuel Bruce
 

Brian,

Lt. Samuel Bruce ,KIA 1-27-44 was also reported "last seen chasing two Fw-190s." Tuskegee Airmen-C. Francis

In "Black Knights" (Homan/Reilly) it has this information :
"Lieutenant Samuel Bruce died in action when his P-40 crashlanded on the Nettuno Beach area."

The only account that has Samuel Bruce being killed by a South African AF Spitfire is in "Red Tails Black Wings" (Holway). This acccount lists the SAAF Spitfire strafing as the reason for Lt. Bruce's death.

Its altogether possible,but I would tend to believe Lt. Bruce was killed by Fw-190s. The 99th FS was involved in a battle with Fw-190s and claimed three FW-190s, so its very possible that the FW-190 unit (Probably SG-4) was responsible for his demise. Also, one account has him crashlanding in the Nettuno areas,in which case he couldn't have been killed hanging on his parachute.

Carlos

Re: Tuskegee pilot Lt Samuel Bruce
 

This is a claim on that date for SG 4

1/28/1944, Ltn.Gärtner,Stab II./SG 4, Spitfire XII, Anzio: 1500m, 07.41.

Obviously a case of bad ID as the Spit XII was not operational in that area. I guess a P-40 could look like a Spit XII.

Re: Tuskegee pilot Lt Samuel Bruce
 

Thanks Carlos & John for your responses. However, my source states otherwise. At a seminar on black aviation in Washington in 1983, Colonel George Roberts, former CO 99thFS, stated (according to Bob Smith):

"A US fighter plane, flown by a black pilot, was shot down by a white South African who deliberately machine-gunned and killed the American as he parachuted away to safety. On the day in question, there were no German planes in the sky when the Spitfire attacked the P-40, flown by one of the squadron's best pilots Sam Bruce. The strafing of the helpless man was witnessed by other pilots who were unable to do anything about it. The South Africans never contacted us (the 99th). They did contact our HQ and said it was a mistake. The rest of the men were horrified and wanted to go to war with the rest of the world, but I think because we didn't make a big deal of it, were were bigger and better for it."

PS: A quick look in the ORBs of 1, 2 and 5 SAAF Squadrons not not reveal any information.

Cheers
Brian