Luftwaffe Units at Sidi Resegh, Nov '41.

[stefaan]

Hi guys.
Can anybody help me with which Bf 109 Units were caught on the ground at the base at Sidi Resegh (LG153) on the 19/11/41 when the base was over run by the 7th Armoured Brigade.
Thx a mil
Stefaan

[AndreasB]

That's easy. None. They were Italian planes only, AFAICR Fiat G.50.

All the best

Andreas

[udf_00]

20° Gruppo C.T. (151.a, 352.a & 353.a Squadriglie) lost 18 G.50s at Sidi Rezegh on 19 NOV 1941.

[stefaan]

Thx a mil.
Stefaan

[Stig Jarlevik]

udf

According to Chris Shores and Giovanni Massimello only 16 G.50 were captured/destroyed at Sidi R. From where is your report of 18?

Cheers
Stig

[AndreasB]

I find it a bit confusing. According to Michele in an email, 2 G.50 are destroyed earlier in the day by a fighter strafing attack by South African Tomahawks, with others damaged. He then gives 16 as total number lost, but it's not clear to me if this means 16+2 or whether it's 16 in total.

All the best

Andreas

[udf_00]

http://www.amazon.ca/Combat-Units-Re.../dp/187118701X
p.29 :
"On 19 November a commando raid on Sidi Rezegh cost them 18 G50s, and five more on 22 December at Agedabia."
The book is rather synthetic, hence could be misleading at times (exemple : commando raid).

[AndreasB]

That refers specifically to the G.50, right? Otherwise the Agedabia number is way off.

All the best

Andreas

[Stig Jarlevik]

Yes the strafing attack is acknowleged by Shores and Massimello but since only 16 G.50 were captured and destroyed when the airfield was overrun, what the SAAF claimed must be included in the total.

Cheers
Stig

[stefaan]

Hi Guys.
The reason I asked is that I have a poor quality photo of a Bf 109F Yellow 12 with black outline that was marked as Sidi Rezegh on the back.
It must have been a Luftwaffe base near it. The nose cowl is off, so no info there. Also no date but looks like winter clothes. That means that it could not have been on the base when it was over run by the 7 Div.
Stefaan