16th April 1943 - Mediterranean Spit losses

[Col Bruggy]

Russ,

Thanks. Thought we might have elicited a response from "Buz" Busby - haven't heard much from him of late.

Col.

[Stig Jarlevik]

This re-newed thread makes it possible to discuss further the actions of 16 April 1943 (the original thread)

Since I now am in possession of MAW Vol 3 some things mentioned in 2008 does no longer fit the bill so to speak. I am not going to re-invent the wheel. Those interested can compare MAW 3 with what has been said back then.

With regard to the Spitfire losses there are some mysteries
ER116 not listed in MAW 3 (Halley says with 92Sq and shot down by Bf 109 off Cap Bon 16.4.1943)
A South African, Michael Schoeman, wrote in 2010 that ER116 was with No 1 SAAF and prob shot down 17.4.1943 by either a Bf 109 or Macchi 205.
MAW 3 from 2016 echo this and says basically the same thing.
From other sources it seems that the British records indicate a loss 16/4 and not 17/4 but SAAF records indicate a loss with them on the latter date.
Checking Winston Brent and his SAAF 85 years, ER116 is not listed as having been transferred....
Anyone who would like to have a go about this aircraft?

EP702 is now listed as a 229Sq aircraft damaged this day and probably turned into spare parts since nothing was ever heard of it again. (1 plus for Leendert!)

ER502 is not listed by MAW 3 but stated by Morgan/Shacklady to have been lost on ops 16/4 as well.
Still very curious from where that date originate and if correct (which I somehow doubt) why it is not included in MAW 3. Anyone?

Cheers
Stig

[Alex Smart]

ER116 Not listed in "85 years of SAAF".

[Adriano Baumgartner]

STIG and ALEX,

Thank you so much for the resume this old thread. It is amazing how new INTEL or INFO can add or change Military History.

At the time I wrote this, the AIR Files were almost non-accessible to me then....so I was really blind. There are some of you (Nick Beale, Alex, etc) that do know where and how to travel amongst the MAW or INTEL Files; so you do oppen new roads for the "sprogs" like me....it is all fascinating.

Who shot down who on that fateful day? Slowly this and other Historical puzzles (do follow Dr. Theo Boithen's threads and try to match claims to losses on the RAF side on his NJG Series) are matched.

THANK YOU BOTH for those addditional information and clarifications. Most welcomed by me and other fellow members (I guess). Keep going and keep safe!

Adriano