Luftwaffe loss data sought

[Paul E.]

I'd like some information on two claims made by a 14th FG, 49th FS pilot named Lothrop Ellis. Both were Bf109s, one was shot down on July 10th, 1943 near Campobello, Sicily at 10:15. The other was shot down over Cagliari, Sardinia at 15:40.

I'd like data from LW losses about the pilot, units etc. And any information about Lt Ellis and his plane, which was a P-38, possibly 49th FS # 50.

Thanks, Paul

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi.

Someone might be able to check the JG 77 and JG 53 volumes by Prien for engagement times etc for this date, as both units suffered damages/losses on this date.

The likely candidates are:

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=117649

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=117648

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=117647

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=117650

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=117651


Regards,
Andreas B

[FRANCESCO M LENTINI]

Paul,
in Sicily there are two Campobello: Campobello di Mazara (few km near the Castelvetrano airfield) and Campobello di Licata in the district of Agrigento.

I hope this help

Francesco M Lentini

[Paul E.]

Thanks to you both. I just finished locating the LW losses that Andreas posted and find that they are strung out along the southern coast of Sicily. One of the US claims says it took place 4 miles SW of Campobello. If that is Campobello di Mazara which is approximately halfway between the II/JG 77 35% loss (Trapani) and the 5/JG 53 100% loss (if Sciacca), about 25 miles from either one. If the US claim actually was near Campobello di Licata it took place about halfway between the 5/JG 53 100% loss(Sciacca) and the II/JG 53 100% loss (Bei Comiso)

I have two other concerns; Trapani is both a city and a province and I'm not sure which is referred to in the LW data. My other concern is that I can't find a town or place called "Bei St. Pietro" where the other 5/JG 53 100% loss is said to have taken place. Most likely it was very near the only other 5/JG 53 loss on that day.

The P38 pilot claiming these two aerial victories was my cousin who died in a B17 crash in Kansas after having completed 50 missions with the 14th FG.

Thanks again, Paul

[robert]

Hello,

from Prien`s JG53 history book:

10.07.43

08.34-09.35 II/JG53 recce mission, air combat with 4 Spitfires
09.32-10.40 III/JG53 escort for Bf110 to Syracusa
10.15-11.... II/JG53 free hunting with 6 planes over the beachhead by Gela, 5 P-38 s/d one of them by Rollwage at 10.37...
12.30-13.13 II/JG53 free hunting, air combat with 15-20 Spitfires
15.47-16.49 II/JG53 escort for Bf110 over the beachhead area, air combat with 4 Spitfires. Alfred Hammer shot down one of them, which belly-landed on the field and experienced little later engine problems, which forced him to belly-land on the same field.
16.05-17.10 III/JG53 escort for 12 Jabos, which had to attack landing boats, later strafing attacks; in total 16 planes from the JG77 and 4 from the III/JG53 took part in this mission
17.49-18.35 scramble of 19 Bf109s - 13 of the JG77 and six from the II/JG53 - against allied formation consisting from 30 Mitchells and their escort performed by numerous Curtis
19.01-20.00 II/JG53 ecsort for Bf110 from the II/ZG1 over the beachhead area, air combat with 15 Spitfires without losses and successes
19.07-20.00 III/JG53 free hunting. Ofw.Seeger was able to bring down 3 Spitfires
In course of the day the unit lost two wounded in air combat from the 5/JG53 Rollwage and Rinke. Another loss was Bf109 lost also by 5/JG53 in air combat over Sciacca - the pilot was unhurt.
Tomorrow I will check JG77 book.

REgards

Robert

[veltro]

Originally Posted by Paul E.

(...) My other concern is that I can't find a town or place called "Bei St. Pietro" where the other 5/JG 53 100% loss is said to have taken place.

It could be S. Pietro di Caltagirone, where an important airfield was located. It is in province of Catania, but quite west of it.

Hope this helps

[Paul E.]

Again, thank you all. The pieces of the picture are taking shape nicely. There were 5 LW losses recorded along the coast there, and there are US aerial victory credits listed for the 49th FS; one for Lt Ellis, 2 for Capt. Leikness & 2 for 2nd Lt. Manlove. The one LW plane lost that day was from JG77 and so would logically have been around Trapani where the other JG77 fighter was lost.

The times and places are understandably fuzzy. In the heat and stress of combat pilots have more important things on their minds than such details.

It sounds like quite a battle was taking place there both on land, at sea and in the air. I'll try to find information on the 5 P38s that were claimed by the LW and see if I can pinpoint where they went down and which squadron they were from.

One other thing. The second victroy claimed by my cousin didn't happen during this battle. It took place over Cagliari, Sardinia on 2 August, 1943

Thanks so much for your help.

Paul

[Paul E.]

One more interesting item. Ofw. Herbert Rollwage, who was shot down that day near S. Peitro survived and went on to cliam between 70 and 85 victories!

Here's a site with additional information: http://www.luftwaffe.cz/rollwage.html

Paul

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, guys.

Would just like to add that there are a few more 'possibles' for this date, as there are a few aircraft that are damaged/lost in the area with loss reason or location not given.

In total the Luftwaffe fighter arm (including the training units J.Gr.West, J.Gr.Ost and J.Gr.Süd) had 29 Bf 109's damaged/lost on this date.



Regards,
Andreas B