Allied Claims in Africa, 25.02.43 and 02.03.43

[Andrew Arthy]

Hey mate,

25 February 1943: four Spitfires of No. 232 Squadron took off for a harbour patrol at Bone at 15:50, but were diverted to Cap Rosa at 10,000 feet. Sgt. Whitling claimed a probable Bf 109 and another damaged. Sgt. Ekbery's Spitfire was badly shot up, and he had to ditch in the sea between Bone and La Calle. W/Cdr. Berry and No. 81 Sqdn were scrambled as the raid approached, with Berry claiming a Bf 109, and S/Ldr. Gray damaging a Bf 109 (Shores, Ring & Hess, FOT, p.220)

NA AIR 26/425 adds: "At 16:15, 6+ 25 miles north-east Cap Rosa. At 16:30 A.A. opened fire over Bone. W/Cdr Berry destroyed 1 M.E. 109 (making 17 1/2 to him), Sgt Whiting 232 Squadron on patrol probably destroyed 1 M.E. 109 and damaged one as well. Sgt. Eckbury 232 Squadron shot down, landed in sea - pilot safe, aircraft Cat. E."

2 March 1943: As you know, Warmbold came down at 17:10. From Shores, Ring & Hess, Fighters Over Tunisia, pp.232-233: No. 72 Sqdn flew a top cover mission at 16:50 covering nine Hurribombers of 225 Squadron attacking tanks and transport north-east of Beja. Six Spitfires of No. 242 and eight of No. 243 were also involved as low cover. Anti-aircraft fire was seen over Beja and four Bf 109s were seen. F/O. Le Cheminant chased one to ground level where it crashed into a hill.

NA AIR 27/624 adds: "F/O. J. Le Cheminant, however, managed to get in some rounds at a Me.109G which he had chased down to the ground. Near Pont du Fahs the e/a whose approx. speed was in the region of 380 m.p.h. (indicated) crashed headlong into a hill."

I've got more on these combats in other files and sources, but hopefully the above is good for a start!


On another note, I've done a draft of the Wüstennotstaffel article and am in the process of re-typing it. It looks pretty good!

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com