MC202 vs P38 Sardegna 1943, 24/05/1943

[Gianandrea Bussi]

On 24 may 1943 5 C.202 of the 370a Sq. CT (24° Gruppo) took off from Alghero at 13.25-13-40 in order to intercept 2 formation of P-38 (20 aircraft each, according to the italians) that were escorting bombers.
Italian fighters claimed 3 P-38 shot down, and 2 probables, over the sea off of Porto Conte.
Two italian fighters were hit but all landed to their homebase at 14.45-14-55.
The combat was fougth also at very low altitude for several minutes.

On the very same day, at 13.45, six RE 2001 of 393a and 394a Sq. CT (160° Gruppo) took off from Olbia Venafiorita in order to intercept formations composed by about 19 P-38 and about 27 twin engined bomber, identified as
"Martin Boston".
Italian fighters claimed 3 P-38 shot down plus 1 probable.
They landed at 14.35 without losses.
Hope that this may help.

Gianandrea

[Gianandrea Bussi]

From "Adorimini" I see that 82nd FG flew two missions: one to Olbia, escorting B-25 of the 310th BG (as written by kako3152), and one to Alghero (escort of B-26 of the 17th BG plus dive bombing). During this last mission, this unit claimed 3-1-2 during a combat with "Bf.109 and RE 2001".
So, probably, all the P-38 involved in the combats over north Sardinia that day were from 82nd FG.

Gianandrea

[Ranieri]

GOOD Giandrea ..I quote here what you posted here:

On 24 may 1943 5 C.202 of the 370a Sq. CT (24° Gruppo) took off from Alghero at 13.25-13-40 in order to intercept 2 formation of P-38 (20 aircraft each, according to the italians) that were escorting bombers.
Italian fighters claimed 3 P-38 shot down, and 2 probables, over the sea off of Porto Conte.
Two italian fighters were hit but all landed to their homebase at 14.45-14-55.
The combat was fougth also at very low altitude for several minutes.


It is very probably the action where took part my grandfather.
Infact he told me he was in fornt of Capoacaccia ( very close to PortoConte) and he had an hard fighting against P38...He was at an higher altitude than P38 alt...He surprised one at lower altitudewho was firing the Riparbelli's plane..than the P38 was ripetutely hit and it was shot down...Another one is probabile how is reported in the flying book...

Pls can you give the reference( book/war document..) about the mentioned action reported above...
Many txs

[Ranieri]

Giandre I' v found an interesting new...Maybe exit a microfilm about the action of B26 over Sardinia in April -May 1943

You will find all the information you need on microfilm reels BO948 & BO949 available from AFHRA (Air Force Historical Rresearch Agency) 600 Chenault Circle, Bldg 1405, Maxwell AFB, AL.36112-6424,USA Trevor Allen Historian www.B26.com

Can you help me to check?