[Andrew Arthy]

Hi,

II. and III./S.K.G. 10, equipped with the FW 190, were based at Montecorvino in the days before 9 September 1943. They had been busy developing the airfield, but it was reported unserviceable for operations on 8 and 9 September 1943.

II. and III./S.K.G. 10 had transferred elsewhere well before any Allied troops reached Montecorvino. On the morning of 9 September elements of III./S.K.G. 10 were still based at Montecorvino, but before the day was out they had left for other bases. By the end of the day II./S.K.G. 10 was based at Montalbano, and III./S.K.G. 10 was based at Avelino.

I've seen no evidence of any incident like that described by Atkinson.

II. and III./S.K.G. 10 did destroy a lot of their own aircraft at Montecorvino, although you'll see photos taken by Allied servicemen that show that the destruction of these FW 190s was not done very thoroughly (see for example 'DN + FV').

There will be lots more information about II. and III./S.K.G. 10 in the book by Morten Jessen and I about the FW 190 over Sicily, Italy, Sardinia and Corsica.

Cheers,
Andrew A.