Requesting information on Italian fighter victory claim

[88jimmeyer]

I am requesting information on Italian fighter victory claim over Tunisia on January 14 1943. My uncle, flying a P-38 was shot down by a German fighter or an Italian Macchi 202 we are still not sure yet. Any detailed information on this Italian victory will be greatly appreciated. We are currently conducting an investigation for the search and recovery of my uncles remains.
Thank you for the help in advance.

[Ruy Horta]

Jim,

I hope you will get some answers.

As forum host I do have to warn you that I cannot protect your privacy if you post your E-mail address. Expect an increase in Spam if you don't edit your message.

People can get in contact to you safely by PM or the E-mail function that the forum provides.

[88jimmeyer]

Ruy,

Thank you, I did not realize this.

[CENTURION]

Dear 88jimmeyer,

According to "Fighters Over Tunisia" by Christopher Shores, on 14 January 1943 two Italian Macchi MC202 engaged a formation of fighters that were escorting some bombers in the early afternoon over Sfax. They claimed one P38 which fell in the Maknassy-Mezzouna area, exploding on hitting the ground.
Unfortunately I don't know the name of the Italian pilot or his unit, but probably those MC202s were of the 6th Gruppo of the 1st Stormo Caccia, which in January was based at Sfax with 16 MC202.

Regards
Marco

[88jimmeyer]

Thanks Marco,

Do you or anybody know where I could find these records.

Thanks again.

Jim

[Gianandrea Bussi]

A comprehensive history of the 1° Stormo CT has not been written yet.
You should research (by yourself or with the help of a friend in Rome...) in the records hold at the Italian Air Force Historical Archive in Rome:

http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/Sit....asp?idente=74

Please note that - as stated in that webpage - the personnel of the Archive don't perform research and that the e-mail service is not available.

Good luck!

Gianandrea

[88jimmeyer]

Thanks Gianandrea, there's allway something new that I got to try amd figure out.

Thanks again

Jim

[Ludovico Slongo]

Dear Mr Mayer,
your request has moved all the small world of Italian researchers and finally we've found, thanks to the help of my friends Stefano Lazzaro, Michele Palermo and Ferdinando D'Amico and -possibly the top expert of Italian fighter force in 1940-43: Giovanni Massimello- that on the 14th of January Italian fighters claimed over Tunisia a Lockheed P38 part of a formation that was escorting some bombers. The Italian pilot who submit the claim was Ten. Cesare Panizza of 81a Sq. 6° Gruppo 1° Stormo. The american fighter was seen to crash on ground in the Maknassay-Mezzouma area.
I hope this will be of help for your researches.
Ludovico

[Ludovico Slongo]

Pardon... MEyer.Ludovico

[88jimmeyer]

Ludovico,

Thanks, this is good news. I recieved somewhat the same responce on another forum. I would like to have more details but according to some other researchers most log books and document among most RA records are unknown because of the Armistice.

The mission report that i have ststes that Maj. Ruddel claimed a victory against the fighter that shot down my uncle or one of the fighters that attacked the formation. Has anybody found any proof of a lost MC 202 fighter in that same engagement?

The Meyer family would like to thank all of you who spent your personal time trying to find the information that i have been seeking.

Thanks again

Jim