33rd Fighter Group 14.08.1943

[CENTURION]

Hi all,

according to "www.raf-112-squadron.org" the 33rd Fighter Group lost four P40s on 14 August 1943 with three pilots killed (John Blanks, William Ford and William Kittinger) while John Morgan crashed 8 km S of Capo d'Orlando but managed to return. Does anyone have information about the causes of such losses? Do you have more details about their loss?
Thank you in advance.

Marco

[John Manrho]

8./JG 77 claimed two P-40's that day. No further info or details on their mission in Prien's work on JG 77.

[Alex Smart]

Hello Marco,

O-792423 John H. Morgan, 99 Ftr Sqn, 33 Ftr Gp. P-40L, 42-10805, MACR 229( only a couple of pages and if IRC no mention of any combat, just possible engine problem and went into the sea east of Sicily.
O-407364 2Lt. William Cecil Kittinger, 33 Ftr Gp.
O-796118 William J. Ford, 33 Ftr Gp ?
O-796069 John T. Blanks jr, 33 Ftr Gp ?

I think that these two a/c may be worth a look, both were earmarked for foreign lands but were not delivered. Perhaps they were retained by the US and sent to North African/Mediterranean ??
P-40N, 42-106013, c/n 29775 meant for Russia, and P-40N, 43-23221 meant for the NEIAF.

Good hunting,
Alex

[CENTURION]

Hello,

John, Alex, thank you for your replies.

It seems that the three pilots died in action over Sicily.
Indeed, according to "http://www.findagrave.com", on the grave of William Cecil Kittinger it's written "fighter pilot, killed in Sicily" while in the one of John T. Blanks Jr. it's written "2 Lieut. 60 AAF fighter sq." - and the latter was killed in action over Sicily and buried in the temporary American GELA Cemetery.

I don't think that the claims of the 8/JG77 are related to the loss of these pilots.

Indeed, in August 1943 the III/JG77 was based at Chilivani in defense of Sardinia.
Moreover, in Prien's latest book "Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe Teil 11 Teilband II 1934-1945" these claims do not appear and I don't find any other German claim for the day of 14 August 1943.

The only claims that I have for that date are those of 16 Macchi of the "4° Stormo Caccia" that claimed 6 Spitfire near Milazzo. Were they in combat with the 33th Fighter Group?
Best regards.

Marco

[Frank Olynyk]

Ford, Kittinger and Blanks had the day off and went exploring in a jeep, which hit a mine and killed all three.

Frank.

[CENTURION]

Hello Frank,

thank you very much for the info regarding the three pilots.
Regarding John Morgan, his crash is confirmed by the MACR but the cause is unknown. Do you know if the 33rd Fighter Group was in combat that day?
Thanks
Looking forward to reading your next excellent book.

Kind regards
Marco

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Checked the MACR and it does state "Believed to have been engine trouble".
Alex