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Re: JU 52 casualties Tunis area 15th January 1943.
R.G. - further to the above:
15 Jan 43: “While escorting … bombers, 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots down three Ju 52s near Marettimo Island and two Ju 52s and a six-engine transport at an undisclosed location.” [Hammel, Eric. Air War Europa Chronology 1942-1945. Pacifica (CA): Pacifica Press, 1994. p.93.]
15 Jan 43: “Escorting ftrs strafe trucks and claim 10 aircraft shot down.” [Carter, Kit and Robert Mueller. Combat Chronology 1941-1945. WashDC: Center for Air Force History, 1991. p.82.]
17 Jan 43 (No fighter engagements with Lw. transport aircraft reported for 15 or 16 January.): “Six U.S. Mitchells (B.25), escorted by 16 U.S. Lightnings (P.38) which were dispatched to attack shipping between Tunisia and Sicily sighted no suitable targets. Two Ju 52 and one Ju 88 were intercepted and destroyed. One U.S. Lightning (P.38) is missing.” [British Air Ministry: Duty Group Captain’s Resume of Air Operations, No. 1129, 19 January 1943, p.2, paragraph 8; Hammel, op cit, p.94.]
Comment: as far as I can tell from the German records, all of the Ju 52 losses for 15 and 17 January were in the Stalingrad area. I find no evidence of any for the Mediterranean Theater on those dates.
L.
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