[Mark R.]

Martin,

Yes, I ruefully cut and pasted specific model designations on a master excell spread sheet because I could not stand looking just at P-38F. I realize they are not accurate reflections of the specific type of Lightning in some, if not many, instances.

Thanks for your kind remarks. I am doing research for my next book and instead of writing on the ground campaign first, I decided to do the aerial campaign. In the process, I have become a fan of the P-38 groups, mainly because they never seemed to succumb to low morale even though they surely absorbed some lop sided losses on occasion. The P-38s, by virtue of their range and numbers, clearly faced the most daily challenges experienced by USAAF fighters over Tunisia. Schottelkorb's and Ilfrey's accounts make that clear. During my next trip to the archives (in June) I will get the remainder of the 14th and 1st FG reports that I currently lack, as well as the 81st FG, and as many medium and heavy bombardment groups as possible + 3d Photo Recon Group. I have allotted three full days for pulling and copying records.

As a single dad with a nine and eleven year old, I sympathize with your situation last month. I am glad all has been resolved.

As for the Italian P-38 kills, I only have a very few names,gleaned mostly from forums such as this one or secondary sources such as Fighters over Tunisia. The 5 Squadra daily reports to Superaero during this period are very sparse with regard to such detail. I think almost the only one I have is: Tenente Ceseare Panizza from 81 Squadraglia 6 Gruppo 1 Stormo who claimed a 71st FS P-38 on 14 January - one of two lost (Lts Ivan W. Salts and Louis F. Meyer).

With Kind regards,

Mark