JU 52 casualties Tunis area 15th January 1943.

[Matti Salonen]

1943-01-15, Fl.Kp./Ln.-Rgt. 2, Ju 52/3m, 7076, KB+QV, 70 km nordöstlich Tunis
Bordschütze Uffz Meusener, Josef, +
Luftkampf. Bruch ? %.
1943-01-17, San.Fl.Ber. 7, Ju 52/3mg5e, 6977, TE+DQ, (Tunis - Trapani)
Flugzeugführer Ofw Heinze, Paul, vermißt
Beobachter Uffz Petsch, Helmut, vermißt
Bordmechaniker Fw Schröder, Albert, vermißt
Bordschütze Ogfr Stroberger, Alfred, vermißt
Fluggast Stabsarzt Kratzert, Günter, +
Fluggast Oberarzt Stockhardt, Eduard, +
Jägerbeschuß. Bruch 100 %.

Matti

[Russell]

Matti

Thanks for the information

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)