Cape Bon, Tunisia, 11 Jan 1943

[Bill Martin]

On 11 Jan 1943, five B-25C aircraft with the 310th BG were returning from a sea search north of Cape Bon,Tunisia when they encountered a Luftwaffe transport convoy. One ME 323 transport, serial # 1111 was shot down. The 310th BG mission report states that two JU-52 transports were also shot down.

The mission report states that the B-25C aircraft were escorted by eight P-38s from the 82nd Fighter Group. Other than that, few details are included. Is there any information that lists the number and type of Luftwaffe transports that were in this convoy.

Thanks,

Bill Martin

[Mark R.]

I only have two possible candidates:

1/11/1943 Over the sea vic Bizerte 1030 -1045 I/K.Gr.z.b.V 323 Me-323 Ltn Siegfried Kruger (KIA) + 8 KIA + 20 passengers KIA 49 FS/14th FG& 310th BG

1/11/1943 Over the sea vic Bizerte? Unk Flugber Lg Stab z.b.V Afrika Do-17Z Ofw Herbert Tinkel (Mechanic) (MIA) Probably 14th FG

Five B-25s of the 310th Bombardment Group up 0805 hours, escorted by eight P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group, on a counter-shipping mission off the Tunisian coast. Scattered showers and 10/10ths overcast at 6000/7000 feet over the sea. N of Bizerte one twin-engine seaplane seen at 0949 hours. One six-engined transport, BV-222, destroyed at 0958 hours. Two Ju-52s seen and destroyed by P-38s. Two Ju-88s observed 50 miles N of Pantelleria, but these were not engaged. One Italian ambulance plane seen. Two Italian transport planes observed off NW tip of Pantelleria flying at 200/400 feet. One large transport escorted by one destroyer reported off SW coast of Pantelleria. One hospital ship seen heading W out of Bizerte. Halfway between Pantelleria and Sicily, nineteen x 100 lb bombs dropped on a slow freighter. No hits claimed. One large transport and escort seen between Cape Mustafa and Cape Mamoura. One mile off N coast of Pantelleria two vessels, believed to be a cruiser and a destroyer, reported. All our planes returned safely at 1210 – 1300 hours. (12th AF Daily Intell Rpt No. 63, 12 Jan 43) Note: Report No. 64 commented that BV-222 was probably an Me-323.

[Jim P.]

From the Gen.Qu.6.Abt losses for 11-Jan-43:

Me 323, 1111, Krüger, Ltn., , I., , KGr.z.b.V. 323, , RD+QK, RD+QK, , 11-Jan-43, KIA with crew due to enemy fire. 8 others KIA, 18 MIA., , Transportverbände/Eins.Mittelmeer-Afrika, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #8)-Vol.13, , (Pomigliano-Tunis), 100%, F, Bf Uffz. Franz, Bm Fw. Theo Niemannd, Bs Fw. Heinz Niemannd & 5 undecipherables, ,

Do 17, 4168, Packheiser, Ofw., , , Flugber., Luftgau Stab.z.b.V. Afrika, , DK+DN, DK+DN, , 11-Jan-43, MIA with crew, cause unknown., F & Bf from Kdo.Fl.H.Ber.5/VII., Fl.Truppe-Sonstige/Eins.Mittelmeer-Afrika, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #8)-Vol.14, , über Mittelmeer, 100%, F, Bf Uffz. Helmut Scheibe & Bm Ofw. Herbert Tinkel, ,

The only Ju 52 reported lost for that day in the Med was a Ju 52 WNr. 5694 from San.Flugber. 2 which crashed on take-off at Kastell Vetrano. There were a number of Ju 52s reported lost for the 12th. It's always possible that an overdue aircraft may have been reported for the wrong day.

[edNorth]

"One six-engined transport, BV-222, destroyed at 0958 hours."

False. No known BV 222 loss in January 1943, confusion with Me 323 perhaps.
Please note Bill Martin and Mark R. how German aircraft designations are correctly spelled (as Jim P does). A good internet source explains this and at our times and age, no excuse anymore to learn.

Merry X-mas
-Ed

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Originally Posted by edNorth

"One six-engined transport, BV-222, destroyed at 0958 hours."

False. No known BV 222 loss in January 1943, confusion with Me 323 perhaps.
Please note Bill Martin and Mark R. how German aircraft designations are correctly spelled (as Jim P does). A good internet source explains this and at our times and age, no excuse anymore to learn.

Merry X-mas
-Ed

Ed, it is a quote of a US report of 1943, and at this time and in these reports German aircraft designations were spelled like that , and aircraft identification was never a strong point for any WWII airforce.

Merry X-mas

[edNorth]

Mr. Laurent.
Please. I have thousands of US / Allied reports and know exactly how they are wrong. Quotes are usually ".... " - I see none. Rather a list or parts there of, compiled by the respective author using the info. I think you perhaps missed the point I am making.

And that is exactly how its now ("at our times and age") wrong to use the older US / Allied spelling.

Have good day
-Ed

[Mark R.]

I kinda wonder how spelling "issues" overcame helping out Bill Martin. Perhaps if "one" shared references to books they published others could learn how to spell?

Mark R.

[edNorth]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RLM_ai...gnation_system

"A good internet source explains this and at our times and age, no excuse anymore to learn" I presume you are over certain age and can take critique. Nothing personal here, just a reminder.

[Mark R.]

Wikipedia? LOL!

[edNorth]

A good laugh can be contagious. But there are quite many Trumps out there.

http://www.designation-systems.net/non-us/index.html
http://www.designation-systems.net/non-us/germany.html

Kv. Eggert