St. Valentine’s Massacre” on 14 February 1942

[Håkan]

Hello,

While going through the manuscript for Michele Palermo and Ludovico Slongo’s forthcoming “Ali D’Africa” (see my blog for more info), I came across the “St. Valentine’s Massacre” on 14 February 1942 when MC.202s from 6o Gruppo, MC.200s from 150o Gruppo and CR.42s from 3o Gruppo clashed with P-40s from 112 and 3 RAAF Squadron between 12:00-13:20.
The Allied fighters claimed 20 destroyed, 4 probables and 8 damaged without losses. The Italian fighters claimed 3, 1 probable and 25 damaged while losing 5 and 6 damaged.
Among the claims were several Bf 109s but these were probably wrongly identified MC.202s and the Luftwaffe made no claims during the day.
However, among the claims are two damaged Ju 87s claimed by Sergeant White (AK605) of 3 RAAF Squadron. There is also strangely a Ba.65 claimed as destroyed by Sergeant H. G. Burney (AK702) of 112 Squadron.
According to C. Shore’s ‘Fighters over the desert” one Ju 87 of II/St.G 3 was shot down by ground fire over Gazala during the day.

Is there anyone that can verify other Luftwaffe losses and unit involved in this combat?

Best wishes/Håkan