Another puzzle from MAW

[Stig1207]

On 2nd Feb '43, the 33rd FG was badly hit in the morning; 59th sqd losing 5 P-40's and the 60th 3, but in two different combats.

What is puzzling is the description of the actions in the text, where the 59th losses are attributed to Fw190's of Jg2, while in refence to the 60th losses the text mentions that Jg77 was operating in the Sened area.

This is contrary to the summary in the matrix which indicates that the 59th losses were to 109's in the Sened area, whereas the 60th losses were to 190's (and flak) around Kairouan, where JG2 claimed.

[Rottler]

Hello Stig1207,

JFV Vol. 11/I and II:
on 2 Feb 1943 the II./JG 2 (Fw 190) was located at Kairouan, the III./JG 77 (Bf 109) at Matmata.
On this day the 4./JG 2 attacked a truck convoy in the Pichon area. On the return flight they encountered a formation of P-39 and P-40, claiming 3 P-39 and 4 P-40 from 08:14 to 08:20 hrs.
The 9./JG 77 escorted a Stuka formation to Sened. In the target area they shot down 2 P-40.

Regards
Leo

[Stig1207]

Thanks Leo,

That is pretty much how MAW III summarises the claims and losses on p, 296, except that the Jg77 claims are given as being at Kairouan; other sources, as you do, indicate that they were in the Sened area. Puschmann of 6./Jg51 also claims a P-40 in the Sened area at about the same time; so that makes it 3 claims for the 5 losses of 59th sqd.

For some reason the text on p. 295 is at odds with the matrix.