154th TRS in Italy, loss of P-38 17 Feb 1944

[Russell]

Thanks Alex.

All helps to clarify things. The two questions I have left, is what caused the engine fire on Eastmans aircraft, accident or damage from enemy action, and what was the serial number of said aircraft?

The difficult issue with American losses is the aircraft that are lost over Allied lines, Anzio beachhead being a classic case as I have recently come across four or five cases of 52nd FG Spitfires crash landing or baling out over the bridgehead, some to Flak and at least one to a FW 190. that I missed for MAW Vol IV. For the ongoing 15 AF research, tracking the bombers that got back to allied lines, or the Adriatic and ditched will be a challenge, but that's the fun of it.