[Laurent Rizzotti]

The main battle between P-38s and Ju 52s and their escort took place in the morning. There were nine German claims:
05.04.43 Oblt. Fritz Dinger: 54 4./JG 53 P-38 £ 40 km. N. Feccabra: 2.000 m. 09.13 Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr.175
05.04.43 Uffz. Holger Palmedo: 2 4./JG 53 P-38 £ 10 km. S.W. Cap Bon: 50 m. 09.20 Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr.176
05.04.43 Ltn. Bruno Hegenauer: 5 3./JG 53 P-38 £ 15 km. N.E. Cap Bon: 2.500 m. 09.20 Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr.482
05.04.43 Fw. Franke: 1 3./JG 53 P-38 £ - 09.35 Reference: JG 53 List f. 1678
05.04.43 Ofw. Stefan Litjens: 31 4./JG 53 P-38 £ 5 km. N. Ras-Zebrt: 50 m. 09.45 Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr.177
05.04.43 Uffz. Rudolf Leutloff 8./ZG 26 Lightning £ - 09.20 Film C. 2031/I Anerk: Nr. –
05.04.43 Ltn. Paul Bley: 4 8./ZG 26 Lightning £ - 09.22 Film C. 2031/I Anerk: Nr. –
05.04.43 Ltn. Paul Bley: 5 8./ZG 26 Lightning £ - 09.23 Film C. 2031/I Anerk: Nr. –
05.04.43 Uffz. Josef Scherkenbeck 9./ZG 26 P-38 £ based Trapani 09.35 Film C. 2031/I Abgelehnt

Three more claims for P-38s were logged later during the day, but might have occured also during this battle, according to the book "Fighters over Tunisia":
05.04.43 Fw. Heinrich Steis: 13 4./JG 27 P-38 570 m. W. Insel Levanzo: 3.000 m. 12.45 Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr.245
05.04.43 Uffz. Ernst Klopp: 2 4./JG 27 P-38 W. Insel Maréttimo: 2.000 m. 12.47 Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr.246
05.04.43 Ltn. Willy Kientsch: 17 6./JG 27 P-38 35 km. W. Insel Maréttimo: 1.000 m. 12.50 Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr.97