|
Re: P-38 Massacre-Rabaul -Jan 17.1944
Hallo kaki 3152
W.WOLF "THE 13th FIGHTER COMMAND IN WWII" give a rather detailed narrative of the combat in question.
While escorting SBD and TBF , the P-38 of the 44 and 339 FS were bounced by a large number of A6M . Eight were shot down - 7 pilots killed
+1 injured ( rescued ) for 6-5-1 claims . Also 1 SBD + 1 TBF lost.
USMC F4U and USN F6F came to the rescue and claimed 12 A6M for 1 F4U and 1 F6F lost .
I have no data on actual IJNAF losses. Hata and Izawa report no pilot killed under this date.
Hope this helps
gianpaolo
|