B-26 shotdown 12 March 1943 near Le Kef, Tunisia

[paddyob26]

On 12 March 1943 the 17th Bombardment Group , 12th Air Force dispatched 15 B-26 Marauders to bomb a railroad bridge east of Enfidaville, Tunisia. The 17BG was based out of Telergma, Algeria. They took off at 1300 hours. Enroute to the target they were intercepted by Me109's over eastern Tunisia. One B-26 from the 432BS 17BG, aircraft 41-17840, "Glory Bound" was shot up and turned back towards base. They crashed near Le Sers, Tunisia which is east of Le Kef. All six crewmen perished. The co-pilot, 2Lt. James Francis Sugrue, was from my home town of Leicester, Massachusetts. Does anyone know which Luftwaffe unit attacked this formation that afternoon. I looked at Tony Woods site and a couple of P-38's were claimed but no B-26's that day. Any help with identifying the Luftwaffe unit and possibly the pilot would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Patrick

[robert]

Hi,

perhaps 28th victory of Olt.Franz Hrdlicka from the 5/JG77?

Regards

Robert

[mhuxt]

The only German claims for bombers mentioned in Shores' "Fighters Over Tunisia" were for B-17s claimed in the Maktar area in the early afternoon by Lt. Rudorffer and Oblt. Buehlingen of II/JG 2.

[paddyob26]

Robert,
What sources are you using that make you think that OLt. Franz Hrdlicka may have been the pilot that shotdown this B-26? The only data of Luftwaffe fighter claims I have seen shows no B-26 claimed as shotdown or even damaged on 12 March 1943. Did JG77 make this intercept? I do not have a history of that fighter wing. If they did make the intercept were they driven off by escorting fighters? I am led to believe that they were engaged by escorts, probably P-38's, which is why no German pilot saw the B-26 turn back or crash, thus no one made any claim for a B-26. That is just my thoughts. Also no other bomber was damaged in this engagement and the other 14 aircraft made it back to Telergma. If you have any source material that sugests that OLt. Hrdlicka was possibly the pilot please let me know.

Thank you,
Patrick

[robert]

Hi,

according to J.Prien`s "JG77 Part III" the II/JG77 made two missions on this day - between 13.48 and 14.45 they were in action against a group consisting from 30 "Viermots" and P-38 and later they combated with "Boston" formation. The later mission resulted in two claims: Lt.Hrdlicka 1 Boston and NN unknown plane (probably the later claim was not confirmed and not reported to higher command level).

Regards

Robert