information on intercepted bombing mission

[NickM]

Originally Posted by 88jimmeyer

Thanks for the translation of C.202

Yes...The Macchi C202 was equipped with a German inline engine so it could be possible that it could be mistaken for an ME109--especially in the middle of a chaotic dogfight.

nickm

[88jimmeyer]

I just looked it up on the internet. I can see how the Macchi can be mistaken for the ME-109.

[John Beaman]

It may be that Franek has something about the MC 202. I looked at, Fighters Over Tunisia. On 14-Jan-43 the authors write of the action and specifically mention Lt. Meyer. They speculate that it may not have been a 109 as reported by the squadron, but MC 202s, one of which claimed a P-38 in the early PM which was seen to crash in the Makassy-Mezzouna area exploring on contact. An MC 202 can look very much like a 109 when in combat.

Do any of our Italian researchers have some information?

[88jimmeyer]

Thanks John this is great. This adds more work to my investigation, Hope something turns up.

[88jimmeyer]

John

I went to order the book Fighters over Tunisia and the cost is more then a days wage, "Wow". I'm wondering if you can scan some material and email them to me. The material will be used for the search and with a little luck, a recovery. If you are will ing to do the, please let me know.

[NickM]

Originally Posted by 88jimmeyer

John

I went to order the book Fighters over Tunisia and the cost is more then a days wage, "Wow". I'm wondering if you can scan some material and email them to me. The material will be used for the search and with a little luck, a recovery. If you are will ing to do the, please let me know.

88jimmeyer: IF you aren't pressed for time, you could order FoT via an interlibrary loan...over the years I've gotten it several times that way


nm

[88jimmeyer]

Originally Posted by John Beaman

Are you sure about the date? Or that it was Bf 109s? The only P-38 claim we have for that day is by a Fw 190 from JG 2. None of the 109 units claimed a P-38. It would be hard, even for Luftwaffe pilots who were notoriously bad on a/c identification, to mistake a P-38 for a P-40 or Spitfire. Perhaps the mistake is in the ID'ing of 109s versus 190s?

i would like a copy of this document if possible, if there is one. I am trying to keep a record of all possible leads. I spoke with a represenitive with DPMO and we have opened a file. He said any information that i find to let them know and they can put it with the records that they already have and don't have. I'm sure we all know how the U.S. goverment can be quick on there feet.