MC202 vs P38 Sardegna 1943, 24/05/1943

[Ranieri]

Hi folks. I m really interested to the air combat over Sardegna during the period 05/1943 to 07/1943.

This interest came from the history of my family.

My grandfather was a pilot of Regia Aeronautica in that period with 370^ squadriglia, 24 fighter group.

The emblem was a Cucaracha painted over the planes of 370^ squadriglia.
I link here a photo of my grandfather.
http://www.tuttovola.it/public/mkpor...album/a_52.jpg

After his death ( 10/2005), I was lookin for about war documents and last week in his libruary I v found his official flying book( Regia Aeronautica)...

I was reading about many actions and I'v found an interesting action happaned the 24/5/1943..

In the diary are reported official notes about a claim of P38 and another probably shotted down far to Porto Conte ( west coast of Sardegna)
My grand in that action flown a Mc202...He took off from airfield of Fertilia ( Sardegna). The action was about 80 minutes.

He told me many times about this action
There was an engagement about 1000 meters of altitude..(I suppose the operation was started from an higher alt)..

When by the radio his friend ( pilot Riparbelli) call him urgently..My grandfather saw below a p38 firing the tail of another Mc 202..He pulled down the stick and quickly he placed behind the P38...Unfortunatly he had to open the fire ..and the P38 fell down to the sea with a big splash.This is the war[IMG]images/icons/icon9.gif[/IMG]

I m really interested info about this action,especially I d like Know the american squadron who fought that action...Maybe 14th fighter group ??

Regards
Ranieri

[shooshoobaby]

FYI - 3 P- 38 groups in combat this time period.
1st , 14th , 82d. Will try to help
Cheers

[kaki3152]

Ranieri,Possibly Lt. Charles Zubarik, 96th FS. Paraprhase from "Adorminin the History of the 82nd FG"Thirty P-38s escorted B-25s of the 310th BG attacking a L/G (A/F) near Olbia ,Sardinia. The P-38s were attacked by 10 Mc-202s,claiming 2 destroyed,one probabble, and six damaged. Lt.Zubarik was last seen breaking out of the Lufberry (defensive manouver) heading towards the sea.

[Gianandrea Bussi]

On 24 may 1943 5 C.202 of the 370a Sq. CT (24° Gruppo) took off from Alghero at 13.25-13-40 in order to intercept 2 formation of P-38 (20 aircraft each, according to the italians) that were escorting bombers.
Italian fighters claimed 3 P-38 shot down, and 2 probables, over the sea off of Porto Conte.
Two italian fighters were hit but all landed to their homebase at 14.45-14-55.
The combat was fougth also at very low altitude for several minutes.

On the very same day, at 13.45, six RE 2001 of 393a and 394a Sq. CT (160° Gruppo) took off from Olbia Venafiorita in order to intercept formations composed by about 19 P-38 and about 27 twin engined bomber, identified as
"Martin Boston".
Italian fighters claimed 3 P-38 shot down plus 1 probable.
They landed at 14.35 without losses.
Hope that this may help.

Gianandrea

[Gianandrea Bussi]

From "Adorimini" I see that 82nd FG flew two missions: one to Olbia, escorting B-25 of the 310th BG (as written by kako3152), and one to Alghero (escort of B-26 of the 17th BG plus dive bombing). During this last mission, this unit claimed 3-1-2 during a combat with "Bf.109 and RE 2001".
So, probably, all the P-38 involved in the combats over north Sardinia that day were from 82nd FG.

Gianandrea

[Ranieri]

GOOD Giandrea ..I quote here what you posted here:

On 24 may 1943 5 C.202 of the 370a Sq. CT (24° Gruppo) took off from Alghero at 13.25-13-40 in order to intercept 2 formation of P-38 (20 aircraft each, according to the italians) that were escorting bombers.
Italian fighters claimed 3 P-38 shot down, and 2 probables, over the sea off of Porto Conte.
Two italian fighters were hit but all landed to their homebase at 14.45-14-55.
The combat was fougth also at very low altitude for several minutes.


It is very probably the action where took part my grandfather.
Infact he told me he was in fornt of Capoacaccia ( very close to PortoConte) and he had an hard fighting against P38...He was at an higher altitude than P38 alt...He surprised one at lower altitudewho was firing the Riparbelli's plane..than the P38 was ripetutely hit and it was shot down...Another one is probabile how is reported in the flying book...

Pls can you give the reference( book/war document..) about the mentioned action reported above...
Many txs

[Ranieri]

Giandre I' v found an interesting new...Maybe exit a microfilm about the action of B26 over Sardinia in April -May 1943

You will find all the information you need on microfilm reels BO948 & BO949 available from AFHRA (Air Force Historical Rresearch Agency) 600 Chenault Circle, Bldg 1405, Maxwell AFB, AL.36112-6424,USA Trevor Allen Historian www.B26.com

Can you help me to check?