Ju 52s shot down, N Africa, 11 Apr 1943

[Mikkel Plannthin]

I am researching RCAF-pilot Colin Frank Sorensen, who was shot down on 11 April 1943 in N Africa, cf.
http://www.danishww2pilots.dk/sorties.php?id=1357

81, 154 and 232 Sqdns were in combat with Ju 52 and 109s from JG 53. Ring and Shores describes the combat as follows:
"Meanwhile at 0900 Wg.Cdr.Berry led 12 Spilfires from 81 Squadron, 11 from 154 and 11 from 232 on a sweep over Tunis Bay at 23,000 feet. Over El Aouina Ju 52s were seen taking off and 232 Squadron dived to the attack; Bf 109s appeared overhead and ‘nibbled’ at the squadron during the dive and on the way home. Fl.Lt. Lynes set one Ju 52 partly on fire when PO Sorenson nipped in and finished it off, but was himself then jumped by a Bf 109 and shot down. Sgt. Kellar was seen to shoot down another transport in flames, but was then also shot down by a Bf 109, crashing into the sea. Lynes then attacked and shot down a further Ju 52 and FO Starnes also claimed one. During the return flight the Bf 109s kept up the attack, but PO Plummer got on the tail of one and gave it a four second burst whereupon it crashed. It seems likely that Sorenson and Kellar were shot down by Hpt. Tonne of I/JG 53, who claimed two Spitfires on this date."

Would anyone be able to guide me to further sources on the combat, and - especially - to details on the losses of Ju 52. From the above description it seems like the RAF force claims 4 Ju 52, but is this confirmed by German sources?

Regards

Mikkel Plannthin

[John Beaman]

At least 19 Ju-52s were lost that day on flights to and from Tunisia, most by Allied fighters. So, hard to pin down which four might be yours.

[Mikkel Plannthin]

John,
Thank you. I was not looking for a 1:1 match of the 4 losses. Rather I was interested in the total of German losses in the area to this RAF force to know if it is possible that they shot down more than the 4 a/c.

Mikkel

[Jagdkommando]

Hei Mikkel,

En interessant tråd du har startet, men kan du si noe om hvilke posisjoner disse 19 x JU-52 ble skutt ned ??

Beste hilsen,
Flemming

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Flemming,
To answer your question (if I am able to give the positions of the Ju 52s shot down) the answer is, that I only know that the Spitfires of the three RAF squadrons orbited Tunis Bay, and - as Ring/Shores indicate - see the Ju 52s take off over El Aouina. But that does not give the position when shot down.

Mikkel

[Jagdkommando]

Mikkel,

I see, well thanks anyway. Does it say wether the JU-52's crashed into the sea or in the fields ??

Flemming

[Mikkel Plannthin]

No, it states that one of the Spits, Sgt Keller, crashed in the sea. P/O Sorensen crash landed on land and was taken PoW.

Mikkel

[Jagdkommando]

Thanks.
What about Sørensen, did he survive the war ?

[Mikkel Plannthin]

If you follow the link to my website in the initial entry, you'll get the answer.

Mikkel

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Mikkel,
Me too I was very interested on the combats of 11th April 1943, for other reasons, as you can see on previous threads on this Forum:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=10330&highlight=Wilhelm+Baumgartn er
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=7569&highlight=Wilhelm+Baumgartne r
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=7901&highlight=Wilhelm+Baumgartne r
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=7902&highlight=Wilhelm+Baumgartne r
You helped me with details I did not know. Thanks indeed! Would you have a photograph of Sorensen?
I am traveling this week, but will return home on the weekend. We will communicate further.
Thanks and do hope the links will be of interest for you.
Adriano Baumgartner