Julius Meimberg's hardest dogfight-who was his opponent?

[digedag1]

Hello,
in the book: „Feindberuerung“ (enemy contact) at page 239, Julius Meimberg (at that time under command of II./JG 53) describes a hard dogfight with a lonely flying RAF Spitfire.
The encounter took place south of Mateur in Tunisia on 7 Dec 1942 and ended in a draw.


Any idea, which RAF pilot could have been Meimberg's opponent ?


digedag1

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Since it was a lonely Spitfire (flying alone), my humble suggestion: Possibly a 682 Squadron on a Photographic Reconaissance mission?

One would need to check the relevant Squadron ORB to check who was flying that day. If I remember correctly there were some 2 PRU and 682 Squadron losses that day or around that day (December 1942).

A.

[Chris Goss]

Surely a photo recce Spitfire was unarmed and would not get into a dogfight?

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Chris

Sure, but if jumped would the pilot fly straight or turn for his life? I do have a similar case of a 541 Squadron pilot who was jumped by two Fw 190's of JG 2 and whilst dodging and turning for his life at low level, manage to "shot down" (make the enemy crash whilst manoeuvering at low level) one them...and am really sure he sweated on those high "G" turns.

Humbly yours,

A.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Digedag1,

The other suggestion is to pass a careful eye onto each Squadron flying Spitfires at that time on the MTO...including the PR units...but it may take a time.

A

[Adriano Baumgartner]

OBS: I meant the ORB of each Spit Squadron...

[Adriano Baumgartner]

I remembered reading something about S/L Albert Ball flying or being damaged around that day. He indeed flew on the 7th December 1942..but there are no reports on the ORB of interceptions or dogfights with Bf 109 that day for 682 Squadron.

I checked 72 Squadron ORB as well. No joy...although their base was straffed by Fw 190 which were protected by at least 5 Bf 109 overhead.

I shall pass an eye on other ORB's for you...let's try to find his oponent.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Chris, since on the passage mentioned there was only a sole Spitfire, I thought "it could be" a PR machine. You know much more about flying and do have much more expertise with files and veterans than me. So, it was just "an idea".

Since my PC have broken down, I shall pass a quick eye on each ORB and try to find a mention of "an inconclusive combat". Perhaps we are lucky and match this passage.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

No joy with 417 Squadron either

[Adriano Baumgartner]

92 Squadron was in combat with Bf 109, but near El Agheila during the afternoon.