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Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. |
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#1
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The 14th FG 'Mutiny' in Tunisia?
Guys:
I was reading Chris Shores' latest on the air war in Tunisia; at some point during the campaign the rather 'green' 14th FG took quite a beating at the experienced fighter pilots of the luftwaffe. In fact, at some point, I got the impression that the surviving war weary pilots staged a 'rebellion' towards their apparently 'clueless' higher command staff. As a result, a lot of the veterans got 'decorated' & then sent home-surprisingly without any apparent consequences and the Group rested, reconstituted & returned to action later in the campaign; Can anybody recommend any reading material on this 'incident'? TIA NM |
#2
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Re: The 14th FG 'Mutiny' in Tunisia?
Nick,
Just to provide some additional detail. Both fighter groups (14th and 33d) that were pulled out of combat during the NA campaign were short one squadron. As the understrength groups lost planes they flew progressively smaller and smaller formations, which put them at a tactical disadvantage by late February. The incident you mentioned above - which might not have been treated as completely as it should have been in Shores' book - took place following the 28 February mission in which six P-38s were lost. One was shot down by flak and five by fighters. The surviving pilots were very upset at their squadron commander (an older pre-war risk adverse Regular apparently) who would not allow them to break formation to meet German fighter attacks after he ordered them to fly straight home in formation at low level and top speed. One of the shot down pilots did break formation and was set upon by three Bf-109s and downed. That pilot escaped and evaded back to allied lines to find the squadron commander was relieved by Brig Gen Elwood P. Qaesada (12th Fighter Command). With one squadron in shambles and one still in Iceland, the group was pulled back to reconstitute after giving up their P-38s to the 1st Fighter Group as replacement aircraft. The pilots that were sent home had already met their tour of duty mission requirements while the pilots who remained were joined by experienced transferees from the 1st Fighter Group. The group reentered combat after its third squadron deployed from Iceland to Algeria. There is a book called "From Model T to Lightning" about the life and death of one of the 48th Squadron pilots named Schottelkorb which will provide more details than the group history by Lambert. |
#3
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Re: The 14th FG 'Mutiny' in Tunisia?
The book mentioned is by Robert W. Schottelkorb, "From Model T to P-38 Lightning: Celebrating the Life of William Frank Schottelkorb"
https://www.amazon.com/Model-P-38-Li.../dp/1575101009 It is based on a diary kept by William Frank Schottelkorb, KIA 23 Jan 43 (still listed MIA). |
#4
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Re: The 14th FG 'Mutiny' in Tunisia?
14th FG originally consisted of the 48th, 49th, and 50th FS. 50th was left behind in Iceland, and never went to North Africa. Eventually the 37th FS was pulled out of the 55th FG (if I remember correctly) and sent to North Africa to become the 3rd squadron of the 14th FG.
Enjoy! Frank.
__________________
Civilization is the most fragile ecology of all. |
#5
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Re: The 14th FG 'Mutiny' in Tunisia?
Thank you to everyone who responded!
NM |
#6
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Re: The 14th FG 'Mutiny' in Tunisia?
Quote:
__________________
" The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein |
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