[Mark R.]

I have the March 1943 Form 540 for 683 Squadron on Malta. It mentions Captain Richardson's loss but states that he was flying over Sicily. There is one pilot not mentioned in your roster - Lt Joseph D. Scalpone. He took over for Captain Richardson according to the aforementioned Form 540. That said, his assignment might have been temporary. Note: Scalpone had previously served as Colonel Roosevelt's aide de camp.

Mezzouna is mentioned in the 12th Air Force Daily Periodic Intelligence Report No. 139 [dated 29 March] which notes that an F-4 sent by the 68th Observation Group to photograph that area on 28 March was missing. A subsequent 12th AF Daily report noted its return to base on 2 April, suggesting perhaps it landed somewhere else to repair mechanical problem or battle damage.

Am not sure this helps much, but it pretty much seems to me that two PR Lightnings were involved on that date.

Reference the P-38 versus F-4 designation, the 12th AF reports take care to differentiate between both variants as the former usually, but not always, were tasked to conduct weather reconnaissance. Most of those missions were assigned to the 1st FG.

Mark