[Mark R.]

Nick,

The impression I have from my own research indicated to me that the pilots were killed by a bombing raid and not necessarily while manning their aircraft. Losing all those pilots at once suggested their shelter might have been struck by a bomb. I question the 3 December date as that was when USAAF bombers switched from targeting airfields to ports. However on the day (2 Dec 42) prior the below occurred:

An attack by ten Douglas bombers, escorted by four P-38s, bombed Tunis airfield from a height of 1500 meters at 0920 hours. Damage is not yet known. Defense by half battery of heavy and light anti-aircraft guns produced no observed successes. (Frühmeldung des F.d.L. Tunis vom 2.12.42, BA/MA RL-7 31)


1.) [follow-up on morning report] Ten twin-engine aircraft, escorted by four P-38s, attacked [El Aouina airport] from an altitude of 1500 meters (5,000 feet) at 0940 hours. Most of the bombs hit between the administrative buildings and barracks. The bombing attack was followed by a strafing run carried out by three P-38s. 2.) Twelve four-engine aircraft attacked [Sidi Ahmed] airport from an altitude of 500-1000 meters (1,500 to 3,000 feet) at 1125 hours. Most of the bombs hit between parked Ju-52s and the administrative buildings. The bombing was followed by a strafing attack by three Spitfires. 3.) Nine two-engine aircraft, escorted by eight P-38s, attacked [Tunis/El Aouina airport] from an altitude of 1700 meters (6,500 feet) at 1345 hours. Bombs hit outside the airfield perimeter. Damage [for the entire day] included one Ju-52 burned out, four Ju-52s severely damaged. Casualties totaled nine dead and twelve wounded. Runway and buildings were heavily damaged. After the second [1125 hours] attack, the enemy planes overflew the new auxiliary airfield located nearby, opening fire on parked aircraft with on-board weapons. (Tagesabschlussmeldung des F.d.L. Tunis vom 3.12.42, BA/MA RL 7-31).





On 2 December the Germans attacked. The Twelfth Air Force threw all its available aircraft into the struggle. The 15th Light Bombardment Squadron bombed El Aouina at 0810 hours. The 319th Group bombed El Aouina at 1059 hours. Eighteen B-17s of the 301st Bombardment Group struck the airfield and harbor at Bizerte shortly before 1000 hours. (RAF Statistical Report, NW Africa, pp. 104 - 105)


The 301st Bombardment Group carries out a bombing attack against Sidi Ahmed, Tunisia. This is the group’s third attack against enemy targets in North Africa. (http://www.301bg.com/wwii_missions.cfm)


Four B-25C’s of the 379th Bombardment Squadron, 310th Bombardment Group, accompany aircraft from 319th Bombardment Group on a bombing mission against enemy targets near Gabes. (57th Bombwing.com, 310th BG History: Dec 42)


Twelve B-26s of 319th BG (3 – 437th BS, 6 – 438th BS, and 3 – 439th BS) took off on bombing mission against El Aouina airfield. Six P-38s accompanied as fighter escorts. The B-26s bombed the airport and the hangar area and machine-gunned the flak emplacements and machinegun nests near Ariana. Strings of bombs were dropped across southern half of airport. About fifty planes were parked on the airfield. Fifteen or twenty planes were hit. Aircraft on field and hangars were seen burning. Middle hangar was completely destroyed. An explosion in the hangar observed, believed to be unmarked ammunition dump. Machinegun nests at Ariana were strafed. Intense heavy flak in a belt from East to West of airport. Twelve B-26s returned to base, one plane was damaged by cannon shell. Due to damage wheels failed to function and a crash landing was made at home base. The bombardier of this plane was wounded in the leg. Two B-26s were hit by flak with only slight damage done. Two hundred and five 100-lb bombs were dropped on target. Planes landed at base at 1301 hours. (319th BG War Diary, Entry dtd 2 Dec 42, BG-319-SU-RE-D)