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Re: Bf109 massacre on 30 July 1943
July 30, 1943
SARDINIA: While undertaking a fighter sweep over the island, 20 P-40s of the 325th Fighter Group’s 317th Fighter Squadron and 16 from the 319th Fighter Squadron are attacked by 40 Bf 109s at about 0950 hours. During the course of a 35-minute melee over the Sassari area, 21 Bf 109s are downed against the loss of one P-40 and its pilot. 1stLt Walter B. Walker, Jr., of the 317th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status in this action when he downs three of the Bf 109s. For once, GAF records show USAAF claims to be on the slim side; apparently 30 Bf 109s fail to return to their bases.
[Eric Hammel: Air War Europa (Pacifica Press, 1994), page 161].
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