Bf 109 losses 4April1943

[Bill Martin]

On 4April1943, North of Tunisia, 3 B 25s from the 310th Bomb Group were attacked by 5 or 6 Bf 109s. According to the mission summary and war diary time was 1445 hours, location 37 deg 30 min N, 11 deg 10 min E. Two Bf 109s were shot down. The pilot of the first one was seen to bail out as the aircraft went down. The pilot of the second one was either severely wounded or killed and as his aircraft fell out of control it crashed into B 25 41-13048. Both aircraft went into the Mediterranean. A third Bf 109 was listed as a possible. Is there any information identifying these two and possibly a third Bf 109 with names of the pilots.

Thanks,
Bill Martin

[RolandF]

WNr. 15135, DJ+BQ, Bf 109G-4, schw 2 +, 2./JG 53, Fw Hermann Holstein, 04.04.43 Verlust 100% n LK, PQ 0849/Tunesien

[Bill Martin]

Roland, I thank you for the information you have provided. The pilot of the second Bf 109 bailed out and his parachute was seen to open. It appears that he was rescued by the maritime convoy. All crew members of the B 25 were listed as killed in action. Again, thank you.

Bill Martin

[Stig Jarlevik]

Bill/Roland

No Luftwaffe fighter was lost due to collision this day. Of the fighter units both JG 53 and JG 77 claimed B-25s, but only I./JG 53 over the northern coast, Cap Serrat area. One aircraft was lost, as Roland says, and two B-25 were claimed by Fw Fischer. It is not recorded how Fw Holstein escaped but probably via parachute and since he was neither killed, wounded or taken POW he seems to have returned to his unit.

Looking in Fighters over Tunisia, Shores probably relates this combat as a B-25 unit escorted by 25 P-38 from 1 FG, but also states this was in the Cap Bon area which is much further to the east of Cap Serrat. His statements differs a bit from the details Bill gives, since from what I understand, you relate the B-25 claims. Shores states a Fw 190 was claimed by the gunners and that the escort claimed three Macchi 200 shot down. Shores also states that two Italian MC 200 were "among the escort" (which I don't understand since it implies the Italians were escorting something, which in such a case is not stated, unless he generally means unrecorded vessels in the water). One of these Macchis is said to have been damaged. But without knowing exactly what the Italians were up to that day it is impossible to 100% certain.

It will be interesting to see if this date is included in MAW Vol 2 to be published next year or if we have to wait for Vol 3. As we all know Fighters over Tunisia is now 40 years old and loads of new information is available to dedicated researchers. What we do know however is that the Italians did a lot more than was previously thought!

Cheers
Stig

[Russell]

Stig

Volume 3 will be where this is covered.

Cheers

Russell

[Bill Martin]

Stig/Roland

Thank you for your replies. The source of my information is the 57th Bomb Wing.com web site that has the actual war diaries and mission statements of the 310th Bomb Group, 428th Bomb Squadron. Also the Missing Air Crew Report 14581. The incident did occur just above Cape Bon.

The MACR summary is as follows;

"On April 4, 1943, the 428th Bombardment Squadron, 310th Bombardment Group (M), had six(6) aircraft on a sea search mission. An enemy convoy was sighted and a bombing run was made. The first element did not drop their bombs because there was a hospital ship passing through the convoy. This (second) element then circled and made a second run on the target. Enemy aircraft were making attacks during this time. One was shot down and the pilot was seen to bail out. The second enemy aircraft made a pass and came straight on through the element. As he passed through the element he struck aircraft number 41-13048 and tore off part of the wing. Aircraft number 41-13048 then went into a spin and crashed in the water. Three parachutes were seen to open before the plane crashed." Signed by Kilmer H. Epperson, Lt. Col.,Air Corps, Commanding.

The report sites five witnesses. This is all of the information that I have. If anyone can provide more information it will be most appreciated.

Best regards,

Bill Martin

[Bill Martin]

Stig/Roland

This did take place just north of Cape Bon. My information is from the actual war diaries and mission summaries for the 428th BS contained on the 57th Bomb Wing web site. Also, this is detailed in Missing Air Crew Report number 14581.

Regards,
Bill Martin

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Russell

Looking forward to that volume as well....

Cheers
Stig

[Bill Martin]

I would like to thank RolandF for the Bf 109 identification; and Stig Jarlevik, thank you for the PMs that you sent helping me to understand what probably happened on 4 April 1943.

Is there some way to determine if the Luftwaffe pilot, Fw Hermann Holstein, 2./JG 53, survived the war or was he KIA later. A search was made on the international version of the Ancestry web site without any results.

Regards,

Bill Martin

[Chris Goss]

Killed 28 Apr 44