Crash Landed P-38 Tunisia

[kaki3152]

In my usual trawling through German E_Bay, I came upon this picture of a crash landed P-38 in Tunisia. Any idea as to the unit? Here's a link

https://www.ebay.de/itm/256157143520...Bk9SR6jYqb22Yg

[Alex Smart]

Could be that of 1Lt.Gerald Rounds who crash landed his P-38 (72ndFS/82ndFG) on the 11th September 1943.

[kaki3152]

I think it's earlier than that. The national insignia is only the star in a blue circle, before that addition of the bars on both side of the star.

[kaki3152]

This airplane is puzzling in that there are no visible group markings to give a clue as to the identity. The marking is the Star in a Blue Circle without bars, which was used in the USAAF until June 29,1943. The background is typical of Tunisia, with a flat plain with sparse vegetation. At this time, the units operating the P-38 in Tunisia used white squadron markings on the radiator air intake on the boom. There are bullet holes in the nose section, one of three photographs, so it was possibly shot down by Fighter action. The cockpit area is mostly intact, so it is possible the pilot survived.

[Revi16]

Type in P-38 for Aircraft Type and TUN for Country.

P-38 accidents Tunisia - https://www.aviationarchaeology.com/dbSearchAF55.asp

P-38 Losses Tunisia - https://www.aviationarchaeology.com/dbSearchAFMACR.asp

[Leendert]

Perhaps the Italian 'Comando Supremo' stamps on backside may help a bit? If P-38 (and pilot) victim of Italian AF, then search can be narrowed down.

Leendert