[Paul E.]

Again, thank you all. The pieces of the picture are taking shape nicely. There were 5 LW losses recorded along the coast there, and there are US aerial victory credits listed for the 49th FS; one for Lt Ellis, 2 for Capt. Leikness & 2 for 2nd Lt. Manlove. The one LW plane lost that day was from JG77 and so would logically have been around Trapani where the other JG77 fighter was lost.

The times and places are understandably fuzzy. In the heat and stress of combat pilots have more important things on their minds than such details.

It sounds like quite a battle was taking place there both on land, at sea and in the air. I'll try to find information on the 5 P38s that were claimed by the LW and see if I can pinpoint where they went down and which squadron they were from.

One other thing. The second victroy claimed by my cousin didn't happen during this battle. It took place over Cagliari, Sardinia on 2 August, 1943

Thanks so much for your help.

Paul