JU 52 casualties Tunis area 15th January 1943.

[AndreasB]

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti

Nothing to add regarding German losses, but I propose another possibility: could the Kesselring message be about a success by the German fighters (who claimed 4 P-38s shot down, and as no Ju 52 loss is found seems to have managed to protect the Ju 52) and so ordering a change of tactic, with larger and tighter Ju 52 formations under escort ?

It does say 'success against the Ju52' though.

A presto!

Andreas

[Russell]

A bit more information has come to light. On 26th January Ultra forwarded an intercept that reported that on 15th January 1943 15 a/c had flown from Reggio to Tunis, carrying elements of Field Ersatz Battalions Africa No. 29 and No.26, Grenadier Regiment 47, Mountain Rifle Regiment 756, 1st Ambulance Company 334.

On another matter, on 21 January Ultra noted that a Do 217 equipped with RDF was present on Sicily. Could not operate at night, as the pilot was not qualified to fly at night. Then on the 27th Fliegerkorps intentions for the 28th included searching for a missing Do 217.

Is there any information on a loss of a Do 217, say from 24th to 27th January????

Regards

Russell

[Mark R.]

There were two encounters with Ju-52s on 15 January 1943:

Six B-25Cs of the 310th Bombardment Group (all from the 380th BS) took off from base at 1000 hours to conduct a sea search mission. Escort provided by eight P-38s. Although no shipping was sighted, the formation bounced more than fifty Ju-52s heading for Tunis. The P-38s immediately shot down two Ju-52s. SSgt C. D. Lea from Lt. Barnwell’s crew was credited with shooting down a third Ju-52. A six-engine flying boat was jointly shot down by the bombers and P-38s. All planes landed safely at base @ 1330 hours. (310th BG War Diary, 15 Jan 43, www.57thbombwing.com)

48th FS, 14th FG (x8 P-38s) escorted six B-25s on an anti-shipping mission vic Sicilian straits. TOT is 1210 hours. No ships sighted, but the escorting P-38s claimed three Ju-52s and a Me-323. (14th FG Daily Intell Rpts, 10/25/42 – 01/28/43), Box 2234, RG 18, NACP)



Six B-25Cs of the 310th Bombardment Group (two from the 380th BS and four from the 428th BS) took off from base at 1300 hours to conduct a sea search mission. Escort provided by eight P-38s. Although no shipping was sighted, the B-25s and P-38s bounced the formation encountered earlier as it returned to Italy from Tunisia. This time the enemy transports were escorted by four Bf-109s and six FW-190s. Despite the escort, the formation sailed in with the following results: First a glider, loaded with men and supplies and being towed by a Me-323, was cut loose and landed in the water. Two Ju-52s were credited to our boys along with a FW-190. Another FW-190 is listed as a probable. The P-38s that were our escorts were also credited with a Ju-52, while another was seen to hit the water and four more were damaged. Losses to our side were two P-38s. One missing while the other hit the water and exploded off the coast at Bone. All planes landed safely at base @ 1630 hours. (310th BG War Diary, 15 Jan 43, www.57thbombwing.com)

49th FS, 14th FG (x8 P-38s) escorted six B-25s on an anti-shipping mission vic Sicilian straits. TOT is 1415 hours. P-38s claimed three Ju-52s, one Bf-110 damaged, and one Me-323 damaged. Two P-38s lost. (14th FG Daily Intell Rpts, 10/25/42 – 01/28/43), Box 2234, RG 18, NACP)