US Fighter claim 1. August 1943

[DB601E]

Hi,
I'm looking for a US fighter claim the 1st august 1943. One He 111 P-2 from (KGr. z. b. V. 25) was shot down over the mediterranean sea between southern france and italy this day and in german sources no location was given. The crew was saved.

Does anybody have more information about this event and specially a location of combat?

Thanks a lot

Lino

[Bruce Lander]

Hi,

USAAF Claims 1st August 1943:-

2/Lt.N E English 2nd FS Do217 06.00 hrs 60m N of Salina I

Capt.N L McDonald 2nd FS Do217 06.05 hrs 15m NE Stromboli

Capt.C F Rudder 37th FS Mc.202 11.15hrs 10m S Pt.Campinella

Source: Victory List 6, MTO by Frank Olynyk

Cheers

Bruce Lander

[DB601E]

Thanks a lot for the info Bruce.

I know, that 8 Do217 left Istres airport at about 02:00 (GMT +2) in the morning Istres airport (near Marseille) with the target italy (Most missions these days were about the allied invasion in sicily). The timing and location could correspond very well to the given Do 217 claims. I'll check the GQM losses for these AC's soon.

"My" He 111 was also leaving southern france with a target in Italy. According to the GQM loss record, they have done a emergency landing on sea because of beeing damaged by a allied aircraft. The crew was saved. I'm in contact with a former crew member of another He 111 of KGr. z. b. V. 25. He told me, that the saved crew, after comming back later to their base in southern france, reported him, that they have been attacked by a P-38.

Maybe there is no claim, because the AC doesn't ditch directly after the attack??
Or perhaps RAF involved (ignoring the mentioned P-38)??

Greetings Lino

P.S.: I always have the luck, beeing interested in strange cases :-)

[Bruce Lander]

Hi Lino,

2 RAF claims for He.111's:-

30/31 July 1943--- F/O F.R.L.Mellersh----He111 N of Mt.Etna

31July/01Aug------ F/O P.A.Bates----------He111 N of Mt Etna

Cheers

Bruce Lander

[Bruce Lander]

Hi Lino,

should have added that both these claimants were from 600 Squadron

Cheers

Bruce Lander

[DB601E]

Thanks a lot again for this info, Bruce.

I'm currently trying to get more info and positions for "unknown" german He 111 AC losses losses along the wrench and italien coast.
The aim is to compare these info to known wrecks, i have already examined or will visit next years. In many cases, a 100% identification by Werknummer will not be possible anymore because of the bad condition of the remains. So in some cases, we finished only with a "very likely" identification by loss position, AC details and eyewithness reports.

The mentioned losses unfortunately doesn't fit not to the wreck in the area, i have in mind to visit.

Best greetings from bavaria

Lino