P-38 loss 11 Jan 43

[brewerjerry]

Hi All
Anyone know if this loss was in combat, and if so who shot it down.
11 Jan 43, 41-7581, Lockheed P-38F-1-LO, 94FS 1FG, 12AF, Bizerte, Tunisia.
Cheers
Jerry

Hi
thanks if anyone looked, I have found the info and posted question in luftwaffe area
cheers
Jerry

[Alex Smart]

Hello Jerry,
KIA 11th Jan 43 was Lt.William A. Lovell of the 94th Squadron 1st Fighter Group.
As was Lt. William H. Wilson.
Details from "An Escort of P38's"
Page 45.
"On January 11th on an escort to Bizerte Lieutenants William Lovell and William Wilson of the 94th were killed."
On page 170 Lovell is listed as KIA while Wilson is listed as MIA.
Alex

[brewerjerry]

Hi Alex
Thanks
jerry

[Tundra]

Lovell, Hometown: Beaver County, PA Bizerte, Tunisia, Had prior service with RCAF to RAF 263 Squadron. He had been flying Westland Whirlwinds Ten P-38s of the 1st. Fighter Group escorted B-17s on a raid in the Gabes area, southern Tunisia coast, but over OUED EL AKARIT, 16 miles northwest of Gabes, 12 Bf-109s and FW-190s jumped two P-38s for a claim of one (Bill Lovell) and one probable (me, Ilfrey, Jack M). OFW Schultz of 11/JG51 claimed one P-38 which he saw crash west of Gabes at 1700 and OFW Nielinger hit a second, but was not awarded a confirmed victory. Bill and I had been flying together since he had transferred from an RCAF flying for an RAF Squadron to our 94th.