December 14,1942 57th FG Losses

[kaki3152]

On December 14th, Maj Joachim Munchenberg (Stab JG-77)claimed two P-40s and Fw Schwartz (8./JG-77) claimed one P-40 in the afternoon (1508-1525) from a formation of 8 "Amerikanische Curtiss"

To date, I have only been able to identify Lt. Steven Merena 57th FG, 64th FS, who was taken POW on this date.

In "Fighters Over the Desert", this combat is described thusly: " Maj Munchenberg took off with seven Bf-109s of III/JG-77 intercepting eight American P-40Fs with fighter escort. Munchenberg shot down at 1608 hours [sic] twelve miles southwest of Agheila,the pilot bailing out and at 1625 shot down a second one in the same area, the pilot bailing out also but his parachute failed to open."

Does anyone have more information?

[Russell]

Lt Chester L Kropodlowsky (check spelling) was MIA, according to the 239 Wing Op Summaries ( in the National Archives), which are a good source for the early activities of the 57th. Lt Cohn crash landed and walked back, and Major Watkins of the 79th crash landed at base.

Regards

Russell

[Leendert]

2 Lt Chester Kropidlowski (O-661334) is mentioned on the Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia.
No specific unit is given.

Declared deceased on 14 Dec 1943, so one year after he went missing.

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

2 Lt Herbert M. Cohn (O-791283) is also listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Carthage, Tunisia. 57th FG, 66th FS.
Date of death is given as 13 Dec 1943, but not clear (to me) if related to the happenings of 14 Dec 1942 as with Kropidlowski.

Regards,

Leendert

[kaki3152]

Thank you gentlemen. It looks like Chester Kropidlowski was th epilot whose parachute did not open.