USAAF Victory Claims for Focke Wulf Fw 190s 14 May 2 September 1943

Transcription

1 USAAF Victory Claims for Focke Wulf Fw 190s 14 May 2 September 1943 Arthy & Jessen 2013 By Andrew Arthy and Morten Jessen Contents Introduction... 1 Abbreviations... 1 Aircraft Types Operated... 1 Listing... 2 Tables Bibliography Introduction Many air combats over the central Mediterranean in 1943 were chaotic and intense. This is reflected by the facts presented in this document, which matches USAAF aerial victory claims for Fw 190s with known data from the German perspective in the period covered by the book Focke-Wulf Fw 190 in the Battle for Sicily. USAAF fighter units claimed 63 Fw 190s destroyed, fourteen probably destroyed, and 28 damaged in this period, while the Germans actually lost nine Fw 190s destroyed by USAAF fighters and two damaged, as well as five possibly destroyed by USAAF fighters and one possibly damaged. This document is not suggesting that the aerial victory claims submitted by USAAF pilots were made up. The likely explanation in many cases is that the American pilot misidentified his opponent, a common occurrence in air combat. This document reveals that in many combats where Fw 190s were claimed by the USAAF, there were not actually any of that German aircraft type present. Misidentification seems to have particularly been a problem for the P-38 pilots of the 1st, 14th and 82nd Fighter Groups. Unintentional overclaiming, which occurred in every air force and on every front in the Second World War, is another reason for the disparity between the number of Fw 190s claimed shot down or damaged by USAAF fighter pilots, and the number of Fw 190s actually shot down or damaged. Aerial victory claims submitted by all participants in the Mediterranean theatre in 1942 and 1943 were around 50 to 75 per cent accurate. There was a steady level of claiming of Fw 190s throughout the period, with peaks around the capture of the island of Pantelleria on 11 June 1943, and after the Anglo-American landings in southern Sicily on the morning of 10 July Abbreviations dam = damaged m = miles S = south W = west FS = Fighter Squadron Lt. = Lieutenant 2/Lt. = Second Lieutenant Red text = information about Fw 190 units prob = probably destroyed N = north E = east FG = Fighter Group Lt/Col. = Lieutenant Colonel 1/Lt. = First Lieutenant F/O. = Flight Officer Blue text = information about other Luftwaffe units Aircraft Types Operated 1st FG P-38 14th FG P-38 27th FG A-36 31st FG Spitfire 33rd FG P-40 52nd FG Spitfire 57th FG P-40 79th FG P-40 81st FG P-39 82nd FG P th FG P th FG P th FG P-39 1

2 Listing Captain Forrest H. Barker 37th FS/14th FG Fw 190 dam on return from Sicily 09:50-17:40 Olynyk, p Captain Carl F. Rudder 37th FS/14th FG Fw 190 dam on return from Sicily 09:50-17:40 Olynyk, p.29 14th FG also claimed Mc.200s, Bf 109Gs, Bf 109s Bf 109s of II./JG 53 scrambled from Comiso 13:35-??:??, and met bombers and P-38s. Bf 109s of III./JG 53 scrambled from Sciacca 13:55-??:??, and met P-38s. Stab JG 27 and III./JG 53 claimed nine P-38s shot down off western Sicily 13:15-14:15. III./JG 53 Bf 109 shot down in the sea in this combat, pilot rescued F/O. Frank D. Hurlbut 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 Villacidro Aerodrome 11:25-11:40 Olynyk, p.30 96th FS/82nd FG also claimed Bf 109s, Mc.200s, Mc.202s, Ju 88s. 325th FG claimed Bf 109s, Me 323s and Mc.202s between 10:30 and 12:55 over Sardinia. 27th FS/1st FG claimed Fi 156s over Sardinia at 13:25. 95th FS/82nd FG escorted B-25s to bomb Alghero aerodrome 09:30-13:10. No Fw 190 units based on Sardinia at this time. No known Fw 190 losses. Bf 109s of II./JG 51 scrambled from Monserrato 11:50-13:05, and met P-38s and Marauders. II./JG 51 claimed a P-38 shot down in the Sardinia area at 12:20, and a Kittyhawk at 12:50. 1.(F)/122 Ju 88 lost off the Sardinian coast, cause unknown, perhaps in this combat. II./JG 51 Bf 109 lost in combat over Sardinia, perhaps in this combat Captain Bernard B. Muldoon 48th FS/14th FG Fw 190 dam Castelvetrano Aerodrome 09:45 Olynyk, p.30 14th FG also claimed Bf 109s ands Bf 109 Gs damaged between 09:45 and 10:00. No known Luftwaffe victory claims at this time (closest is 11:12). II./JG 27 Bf 109 lost in combat at an unknown location during the day. III./JG 53 Bf 109 made a forced landing near Cap Granitola after combat with a bomber during the day, pilot killed /Lt. George E. Karam 97th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 Villacidro Aerodrome 17:00 Olynyk, p.30 82nd FG also claimed Bf 109s, Mc.202s, and Mc.200s over Sardinia at 17: th FG claimed Bf 109s over Sardinia from 15:20 to 19:00. No Fw 190 units based on Sardinia at this time. No known Fw 190 losses. Bf 109s of II./JG 51 scrambled from Monserrato 17:25-18:30, and met P-40s. II./JG 51 claimed one Curtiss P-43, one Spitfire, one Curtiss P-40 and one Kittyhawk shot down 17:58-18:40. II./JG 51 Bf 109 lost in combat over Sardinia during the day /Lt. James J. Hagenback 94th FS/1st FG Fw 190 prob Trapani Milo area 14:50-15:10 Olynyk, p.30 1st FG also claimed Bf 109s between 14:50 and 15:10. 14th FG claimed Bf 109s between 12:55 and 17:00. Stab JG 27, II./JG 27 and III./JG 53 claimed seven P-38s and two B-17Fs shot down off Sicily 16:15-16:25. Two II./JG 27 Bf 109s lost at Favignana in combat during the day /Lt. Warren A. Holden 27th FS/1st FG 2 Fw m N of Cape San Vito 11:10-11:30 Olynyk, p.31 1st FG also claimed Bf 109s twenty to 25 miles north of Cape San Vito between 11:10 and 11:30. Bf 109s of III./JG 53 scrambled from Sciacca 10:25-11:30, and met the enemy. II./JG 27 and III./JG 53 claimed four B-17Fs and three P-38s shot down off western Sicily 10:55-11:32. No known Luftwaffe losses related to this combat /Lt. Sylvan Feld 4th FS/52nd FG Fw m NE of Cap Bon 17:15 Olynyk, p.32 No known Luftwaffe losses in this combat /Lt. Robert M. Lupton, Jr. 309th FS/31st FG Fw 190 dam N of Pantelleria 17:35-18:55 Olynyk, p Spitfires of 307th FS/31st FG and 309th FS/31st FG escorted B-25s to Pantelleria, and met three Mc.202s and three Fw 190s. No 307th FS/31st FG Spitfires damaged or lost. Fifteen Fw 190s of II./Sch.G. 2 flew mission to Pantelleria area 17:35-18:55, and met no fighters. No known Fw 190 losses. No known Luftwaffe losses in this combat. 2

3 3 Arthy & Jessen /Lt. John P. Bedford [0.333] 86th FS/79th FG Fw 190 Pantelleria 19:10-20:30 Olynyk, p.33 Captain Frederic A. Borsodi [0.333] 86th FS/79th FG Captain Richard P. Morrissey [0.333] 86th FS/79th FG 79th FG also claimed Bf 109s at Pantelleria between 19:10 and 20:30. 27th FG claimed Bf 109s at Pantelleria airfield between 19:34 and 20: Fw 190s of II./Sch.G. 2 flew mission to Pantelleria area 19:25-20:24, and met Spitfires. 7./Sch.G. 2 Fw 190 shot down by fighters off Cap Bon at 20:00. No other known Luftwaffe losses in this combat Captain William C. Bryson 307th FS/31st FG Fw 190 Pantelleria 11:45-13:05 Olynyk, p /Lt. John Howard White 307th FS/31st FG Fw 190 Pantelleria 11:45-13:05 Olynyk, p /Lt. J D Collinsworth 307th FS/31st FG Fw 190 dam Pantelleria 11:45-13:05 Olynyk, p th FS/31st FG also claimed Bf 109s in this combat. Ten Spitfires of 307th FS/31st FG flew cover over Pantelleria 11:45-13:05, and met 36 Bf 109s and Fw 190s. One Spitfire Mk. V of 307th FS/31st FG shot down by a P-40, pilot believed killed. II./JG 27 claimed three Spitfires shot down off Pantelleria 12:28-12: /Lt. Leonard H. Meldeau 309th FS/31st FG Fw 190 prob Pantelleria 18:25-19:35 Olynyk, p th FS/31st FG also claimed Mc.202s and Bf 109s in this combat. Eighteen Spitfires of 309th FS/31st FG flew cover over Pantelleria 18:25-19:35, and met thirteen Mc.202s, six Bf 109s and three Fw 190s. No 309th FS/31st FG Spitfires damaged or lost. 85th FS/79th FG claimed Mc.202s between 18:40 and 19:50. 79th FG claimed Bf 109s and Mc.202s between 18:50 and 20: Eleven II./JG 27 Bf 109s lost at Pantelleria on this day /Lt. Robert E. Armstrong, Jr. 4th FS/52nd FG Fw m NNE of Pantelleria 10:30 Olynyk, p /Lt. Dale F. Anderson 4th FS/52nd FG Fw 190 dam 10 m N of Pantelleria 10:45 Olynyk, p.34 4th FS/52nd FG also claimed Bf 109s. 64th FS/57th FG claimed Bf 109s at Pantelleria 10:40-11:20. 66th FS/57th FG claimed Bf 109s G at Pantelleria 09:35-11: Fw 190s of II./Sch.G. 2 flew mission to Pantelleria area 10:09-10:58, and met fighters. One Fw per cent damaged by fighters on this mission. Bf 109s of III./JG 53 flew a sweep to Pantelleria 09:30-10:??, and met Spitfires. III./JG 53 claimed a Spitfire shot down north-east of Pantelleria at 10: /Lt. Vernon W. Froelich 93rd FS/81st FG Fw 190 Pantelleria Island 13:00 Olynyk, p F/O. John M. McPhee 93rd FS/81st FG Fw 190 Pantelleria Island 13:00 Olynyk, p /Lt. Charles C. Snyder 93rd FS/81st FG Fw 190 Pantelleria Island 13:00 Olynyk, p /Lt. John M. Hollobaugh 93rd FS/81st FG Fw 190 prob Pantelleria Island 13:00 Olynyk, p.34 27th FS/1st FG claimed Bf 109s at Pantelleria at 12: th FS/31st FG claimed Bf 109s at Pantelleria 12:20-13:35. Eighteen Spitfires of 308th FS/31st FG flew cover over Pantelleria 12:20-13:35, and met 36 Fw 190s and Bf 109s. One Spitfire Mk. V of 308th FS/31st FG shot down in the sea, pilot rescued. 34 Fw 190s of II./Sch.G. 2 and III./SKG 10 flew mission to Pantelleria area 12:15-13:30, and met fighters. Fw 190 of II./Sch.G. 2 shot down by fighter near Pantelleria on this mission. Bf 109s of I./JG 53 escorted fighter-bombers to Pantelleria 12:20-13:20, and met Spitfires. I./JG 53 claimed a Spitfire shot down north-west of Pantelleria at 12: Lt/Col. Fred M. Dean HQ 31st FG Fw m NW of Pantelleria 15:40 Olynyk, p Captain William C. Bryson 307th FS/31st FG Fw m NW of Pantelleria 15:40 Olynyk, p /Lt. J D Collinsworth 307th FS/31st FG Fw m NW of Pantelleria 15:40 Olynyk, p /Lt. John Howard White 307th FS/31st FG Fw m NW of Pantelleria 15:40 Olynyk, p th FS/31st FG also claimed Bf 109s at Pantelleria on this mission. Eighteen Spitfires of 307th FS/31st FG flew cover over Pantelleria 15:00-16:25, and met fifteen Fw 190s and fifteen Bf 109s. One Spitfire Mk. IX of 307th FS/31st FG shot down in the sea. 29 Fw 190s of II./Sch.G. 2 and III./SKG 10 flew mission to Pantelleria area 15:10-16:10, and met Spitfires. Two Fw 190s of II./Sch.G per cent damaged on this mission. Bf 109s of II./JG 51 escorted fighter-bombers to Pantelleria 15:00-16:10, and met Spitfires. Bf 109s of II./JG 53 escorted fighter-bombers to Pantelleria 14:55-16:10, and met fifteen Spitfires. Bf 109s of III./JG 53 escorted fighter-bombers to Pantelleria 15:00-16:05, and met British and American fighters. III./JG 53 claimed a Spitfire shot down north-west of Pantelleria at 15: III./JG 53 Bf 109 lost in combat at Pantelleria during the day. III./JG 53 Bf 109 made a forced landing near Cap Granitola after combat during the day.

4 /Lt. Robert L. Burnett, III 4th FS/52nd FG Fw 190 Pantelleria? Olynyk, p /Lt. James Otey Taylor 4th FS/52nd FG Fw 190 NNE of Pantelleria? Olynyk, p /Lt. Robert E. Armstrong, Jr. 4th FS/52nd FG Fw m NNE of Pantelleria 10:30 Olynyk, p /Lt. Robert E. Armstrong, Jr. 4th FS/52nd FG Fw 190 dam 15 m NNE of Pantelleria 10:30 Olynyk, p.34 Seventeen Fw 190s of II./Sch.G. 2 and III./SKG 10 flew mission to Pantelleria area 09:50-10:55, and met Spitfires. No known Fw 190 losses. Bf 109s of I./JG 53 escorted fighter-bombers to Pantelleria 09:48-10:??, and met Spitfires II./JG 27 Bf 109 lost in combat at Pantelleria during the day Captain Charles V. Fowles 346th FS/350th FG Fw 190 Pantelleria 13:00-14:00 Olynyk, p /Lt. Richard E. Hunter 346th FS/350th FG Fw 190 Pantelleria 13:00-14:00 Olynyk, p.34 No other USAAF claims on this day. Nineteen Fw 190s of II./Sch.G. 2 and III./SKG 10 flew mission to Pantelleria area 12:45-14:05, and met fighters. Fw 190 of II./Sch.G per cent damaged by fighters in this combat. Bf 109s of III./JG 53 escorted fighter-bombers to Pantelleria in the early afternoon, and met Spitfires. III./JG 53 claimed two Airacobras shot down off Pantelleria 13:24-13:40. No known Bf 109 losses on this day F/O. Walter J. Mackey 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 Golfo Aranci 09:55 Olynyk, p /Lt. Joseph Wayne Jorda 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 prob Golfo Aranci 09:55 Olynyk, p.35 82nd FG also claimed Mc.202s, Bf 109s, Re.2001s, Mc.205s, and Mc.200s in the Golfo Aranci at 09: th FS/325th FG claimed Bf 109s south of Sardinia 07:50-11: th FS/325th FG claimed Fi-156s over Villacidro at 09:45. 27th FS/1st FG claimed Bf 109s ten miles east of Gulf of Oresei at 09:30. No Fw 190 units based on Sardinia at this time. No known Fw 190 losses. Bf 109s of II./JG 51 scrambled from Casa Zeppara 09:15-10:25, and met bombers. Bf 109s of III./JG 77 scrambled from Chilivani 09:25-10:40, and fought combat shortly before 10:00. II./JG 51 and III./JG 77 claimed three P-38Fs, one P-40E, and six twin-engine bombers shot down in the Sardinia area 09:15-11:30. No known Luftwaffe losses at Sardinia on this day Captain William M. Houston 4th FS/52nd FG Fw 190 dam E of Bizerte? Olynyk, p.35 No other USAAF claims on this day. No known Fw 190 losses. III./JG 77 Bf 109 made a crash-landing at Chilivani due to enemy fire during the day /Lt. Albert C. Adams, Jr. 2nd FS/52nd FG Fw 190 N of Pantelleria 17:00 Olynyk, p /Lt. Albert C. Adams, Jr. 2nd FS/52nd FG Fw 190 dam N of Pantelleria 17:00 Olynyk, p.36 Fourteen Fw 190s of III./SKG 10 flew mission to Cap Bon area 16:10-17:30, and met fighters. III./SKG 10 Fw 190 lost on this mission, cause unknown /Lt. Edward T. Waters 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 Sciacca Aerodrome 11:30 Olynyk, p Captain Raymond H. Lynn 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 Sciacca Aerodrome 11:30 Olynyk, p.36 82nd FG also claimed Bf 109s at Sciacca aerodrome at 11: Marauders with escort of twenty Spitfires bombed Trapani and Chinisia airfields 11:33-11:38. No known Luftwaffe losses in this combat /Lt. John A. Carey 5th FS/52nd FG 2 Fw m NE of Cape Bon 07:26 Olynyk, p.36 52nd FG also claimed Bf 109s 50 miles north-east of Cape Bon at 07: /Lt. Irwin Gottlieb 5th FS/52nd FG Fw m NE of Cape Bon 08:40 Olynyk, p One Fw 190 lost, cause unknown, probably unrelated to these combats Two Bf 109s of II./JG 77 on reconnaissance in the morning were shot down by fighters north-east of Bizerta, pilots missing. 4

5 /Lt. Charles B. Hall 99th FS/79th FG Fw 190 SW Sicily 06:50-08:35 Olynyk, p No Name 99th FS/79th FG 2 Fw 190 prob SW Sicily 06:50-08:35 Olynyk, p.36 99th FS/79th FG also claimed Bf 109s in this combat. 315th FS/324th FG claimed Bf 109s at Sicily at 08:00. Bf 109s of I./JG 77 scrambled from Sciacca, and met B-25s and P-40s. Bf 109s of II./JG 77 scrambled from Trapani 07:50-08:38, and met B-25s and P-40s. I./JG 77 and II./JG 77 claimed seven Kittyhawks and two Mitchells shot down off south-western Sicily 07:58-08:30. I./JG 77 Bf 109 lost at Comiso in combat, probably in afternoon due to Spitfires. II./JG 77 Bf 109 belly-landed at Trapani after 07:50-08:38 scramble and suffered 80 per cent damage, pilot unhurt F/O. Verle M. Tilley 97th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 dam 10 m SW Gerbini Aerodrome #1 13:15 Olynyk, p.37 82nd FG also claimed Bf 109s, Mc.200s, Re.2001s, unidentified aircraft, and Mc.202s in this combat. III./JG 53 claimed a Mitchell shot down over south-eastern Sicily at 13:15. I./JG 53 Bf 109 shot down by fighters at San Pietro during the day. II./JG 53 pilot wounded in combat east of Catania during the day. III./JG 53 pilot wounded north-west of Ragusa during the day, cause unknown /Lt. Charles E. Schreffler 71st FS/1st FG Fw 190 dam Gerbini Landing Ground 15:20 Olynyk, p.38 1st FG also claimed Bf 109s at Gerbini landing ground at 15:20. Fw 190s of IV./SKG 10 scrambled from Marsa del Oro 14:55-14:32, and met fighters and bombers. IV./SKG 10 Fw 190 damaged in this combat by a fighter. Bf 109s of I./JG 53 scrambled from Catania 14:47-16:00, and met Fortress IIs and Spitfires. Bf 109s of II./JG 53 scrambled from Ramacca 14:45-15:42, and met bombers and Spitfires. II./JG 53 and III./JG 53 claimed three Spitfires shot down 15:05-15:22. II./JG 53 Bf 109 lost at Augusta in combat with four-engine bombers, pilot killed /Lt. John G. Burchfield 4th FS/52nd FG Fw 190 dam 20 m NE of Zembra 15:00 Olynyk, p.38 No known Luftwaffe losses in this combat. Two Bf 109s of II./JG 77 flew reconnaissance over Cap Bon at an unknown time, with neither Bf 109 damaged nor lost Lt. Clark 99th FS/79th FG Fw 190 prob over Sciacca 15:30 Olynyk, p Lt. Herman A. Lawson 99th FS/79th FG Fw 190 prob over Sciacca 15:30 Olynyk, p th FG claimed Bf 109s in Sciacca area 15:25-16:55. Bf 109s of Stab JG 77 and II./JG 77 scrambled from Trapani 15:57-16:54, and met Kittyhawks. II./JG 53, Stab JG 77 and II./JG 77 claimed five Kittyhawks shot down off southern Sicily 16:14-16:35. Three II./JG 77 Bf 109s shot down in this combat in the Trapani-Sciacca area F/O. Frank D. Hurlbut 96th FS/82nd FG 3 Fw 190 SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p /Lt. Lewis E. Pape 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 prob SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p /Lt. John L. Schlener 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 prob SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p /Lt. Donald W. Johnson 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 dam SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p /Lt. Samuel A. Hawes 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 dam SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p F/O. Frank D. Hurlbut 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 dam SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p /Lt. Lawrence P. Liebers 96th FS/82nd FG 2 Fw 190 dam SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p Lt. Westine 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 dam SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p /Lt. Ward A. Kuentzel 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 dam SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p /Lt. Lincoln D. Jones 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p /Lt. Ward A. Kuentzel 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p /Lt. Lawrence P. Liebers 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p /Lt. Fred J. Wolfe 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 SW Sicily 18:00-18:20 Olynyk, p.39 82nd FG also claimed Mc.200s, Ju 88s, and Bf 109s in this combat. 325th FG claimed Bf 109s over Sicily 16:30-19:45. No known Fw 190 missions at this time. Nineteen Bf 109s of II./JG 51, Stab JG 77, and II./JG 77 scrambled from Trapani 17:49-??:??, and met 30 B-25s and P-40s. II./JG 77 claimed two P-40s and one B-25 shot down 18:05-18:15. 5

6 Two Fw 190s lost on missions, cause unknown. II./JG 51 Bf 109 lost on this day, cause unknown. Three II./JG 53 Bf 109s lost in combat on this day, and one Bf 109 fifteen per cent damaged in combat. III./JG 53 Bf 109 lost on a mission on this day, cause unknown. Two II./JG 77 Bf 109s per cent damaged in combat over western Sicily on this day. Five I./KG 6, III./KG 6 and I./KG 76 Ju 88s lost over Sicily on this day, cause unknown /Lt. Roland F. Wooten, Jr. 307th FS/31st FG Fw 190 W of Gela 08:30 Olynyk, p.39 Eight Spitfires of 307th FS/31st FG patrolled Gela 08:00-08:45, and met four Fw 190s. No known Fw 190 losses to fighters on this day Captain John M. Winkler 307th FS/31st FG Fw m NW of Ponte Olivo 11:55 Olynyk, p.39 Twelve Spitfires of 307th FS/31st FG patrolled Gela 11:30-12:00, and met two Fw 190s carrying bombs. 48th FS/14th FG claimed Bf 109s at Avola 10:58-14:17. No known Fw 190 missions at this time. No known Fw 190 losses to fighters on this day Captain Carl Wilson Payne 309th FS/31st FG Fw over Pazzollo 16:15 Olynyk, p.39 Eight Spitfires of 309th FS/31st FG patrolled Gela 16:00-16:30, and met one Bf 109 or Fw 190. No known Fw 190 losses to fighters on this day. Bf 109s of I./JG 53 flew a sweep from Jägerplatz A 15:10-??:??, and met Spitfires and Kittyhawks. I./JG 53 claimed a Spitfire and a Kittyhawk shot down over southern Sicily at 16:15. Two I./JG 53 Bf 109s were shot down in this combat, both pilots unhurt Major Robert E. Kirtley 27th FS/1st FG Fw 190 dam near Gerbini 19:30 Olynyk, p Lt. Samuel F. Sweet 27th FS/1st FG Fw 190 dam near Gerbini 19:30 Olynyk, p /Lt. Edward T. Wellner 27th FS/1st FG Fw 190 prob near Gerbini 19:30 Olynyk, p.39 No known Fw 190 losses to fighters on this day II./JG 27 Bf per cent damaged in combat over Sicily. I./JG 53 Bf 109 lost at Comiso, cause unknown. III./JG 53 Bf 109 lost in combat over Sicily III./JG 53 Bf per cent damaged in combat over Sicily Captain Jerry D. Collinsworth 307th FS/31st FG Fw m NE of Ponte Olivo 07:00 Olynyk, p.40 Eight Spitfires of 307th FS/31st FG patrolled Gela 06:30-07:10, and met one Fw 190. One Fw 190 lost to fighters near San Pietro at an unknown time. Bf 109s of III./JG 53 flew a sweep from Catania 06:10-07:00, and met Spitfires. No known JG 77 missions at this time Eight IV./JG 3 Bf 109s lost in combat during the day, as well as one Bf per cent damaged, and another fifteen per cent damaged. II./JG 27 Bf per cent damaged in combat near Gerbini during the day. I./JG 53 Bf 109 lost in combat east of Lentini during the day, landed in the sea. I./JG 53 Bf 109 lost in combat near Catania during the day. I./JG 53 Bf 109 lost in combat at Torazzo during the day. I./JG 53 Bf 109 lost in combat north of Comiso during the day. III./JG 53 Bf 109 lost in combat with Spitfire near Comiso during the day Captain R.O. Banbury 523rd FS/27th FG Fw 190 dam few m NW of Randazzo 10:41-11:50 Olynyk, p.41 Twelve Bf 109s of I./JG 77 flew a sweep over northern Sicily 10:38-12:15, and met 24 P-51s and P-40s. I./JG 77 claimed a P-51 shot down over north-eastern Sicily at 11:30, and another P-51 damaged. No known Luftaffe aircraft lost or damaged in this combat /Lt. Franklin Allen Everett 5th FS/52nd FG Fw m NE of Bizerte 07:45 Olynyk, p /Lt. Everett K. Jenkins, Jr. 5th FS/52nd FG Fw m NE of Bizerte 07:45 Olynyk, p.42 No known Fw 190 losses. III./JG 77 Bf 109 lost on sea reconnaissance to Tunisian coast during the day, pilot missing. 1 Initially recorded as an Fw 190 destroyed in the mission report, but crossed out and replaced by Bf 109 destroyed in handwriting. 6

7 Major George V. Williams 2nd FS/52nd FG Fw 190 dam [off north coast of Sicily] 13:45 Olynyk, p.42 Six Fw 190s of II./SKG 10 flew a mission to attack American warships off the north of Sicily 12:40-14:15, and met Spitfires. No known Fw 190 losses. Eight Bf 109s of I./JG 77 escorted II./SKG 10 12:40-14:15, and met no fighters F.O. Frank D. Hurlbut 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 Gulf of Eufemia, 3 m off Pizzo 16:20-16:25 Olynyk, p /Lt. Donn C. Warr 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 Gulf of Eufemia, 3 m off Pizzo 16:20-16:25 Olynyk, p.43 82nd FG also claimed Bf 109s and Re.2000s in this combat. Twelve Bf 109s of II./JG 77 flew a sweep to the Palmi area 15:22-16:35, and one Rotte met 30 P-38s. II./JG 77 claimed one P-38 shot down in this combat. II./JG 77 Bf 109 shot down in this combat north of Vibo Valentia. II./JG 77 Bf 109 made a forced landing at Vibo Valentia airfield due to damage sustained in this combat /Lt. Richard F. Hurd 308th FS/31st FG Fw 190 C-6663, 10 m N Cape Orlando 13:05-14:15 Olynyk, p Captain John H. Paulk 308th FS/31st FG Fw 190 C-6663, 10 m N Cape Orlando 13:05-14:15 Olynyk, p /Lt. Charles R. Ramsey 308th FS/31st FG Fw 190 C-6663, 10 m N Cape Orlando 13:05-14:15 Olynyk, p Captain Royal Newman Baker 308th FS/31st FG Fw 190 dam C-6663, 10 m N Cape Orlando 13:05-14:15 Olynyk, p.43 Fourteen Fw 190s of II./SKG 10 flew mission to north of Sicily 13:10-14:40, and met Spitfires. II./SKG 10 Fw 190 shot down by Spitfires at around 14:00. Five Bf 109s of II./JG 77 escorted II./SKG 10 to northern Sicily 12:56-14:25, escort mission broken off near Milazzo. No other known Luftwaffe losses in this combat /Lt. John V. Bach 59th FS/33rd FG Fw 190 Agata 18:00-18:30 Olynyk, p /Lt. Morgan S. Tyler 59th FS/33rd FG Fw 190 Agata 18:00-18:30 Olynyk, p /Lt. Blanchard K. Watts 59th FS/33rd FG Fw 190 Agata 18:00-18:30 Olynyk, p.43 Six Fw 190s of II./SKG 10 flew mission to north of Sicily 17:00-18:50, and met no fighters. No known Fw 190 losses in this combat. No known Luftwaffe losses in this combat /Lt. Delton G. Graham [0.5] 307th FS/31st FG Fw 190 D-0286, NE of Naso 12:30 Olynyk, p.43 2/Lt. Carroll A. Pryblyo [0.5] 307th FS/31st FG 307th FS/31st FG also claimed Mc.205s in this combat. Ten Fw 190s of II./SKG 10 flew mission to north of Sicily 11:30-13:03, and met Spitfires. II./SKG 10 Fw 190 shot down by Spitfires ~12:30. Seven Bf 109s of I./JG 77 escorted II./SKG 10, and met ten fighters near Milazzo, before combat was broken off due to lack of fuel. No other known Luftwaffe losses in this combat Captain Royal Newman Baker 308th FS/31st FG Fw 190 Cape Orlando 16:40 Olynyk, p.43 Nine Fw 190s of II./SKG 10 flew mission to north of Sicily 16:15-17:55, and met Spitfires. II./SKG 10 Fw 190 shot down by Spitfires ~17:00. Seven Bf 109s of I./JG 77 escorted II./SKG 10 15:57-17:38, and met no fighters /Lt. John D. Hurst 27th FS/1st FG Fw 190 prob Grazzanise Aerodrome 12:55 Olynyk, p /Lt. Jerome M. Weinberg 27th FS/1st FG Fw 190 dam Grazzanise Aerodrome 12:55 Olynyk, p.43 1st FG also claimed Bf 109s and Re.2001s in this combat. Bf 109s of II./JG 53 scrambled from Cancello 12:50-13:50, and met P-38s. Bf 109s of III./JG 53 scrambled from Grazzaniese 12:48-13:45, and met P-38s. II./JG 53 and III./JG 53 claimed four P-38s shot down off Italy 13:13-13:20. III./JG 53 Bf 109 lost in combat with bombers west of Ischia /Lt. Charles F. Hale 85th FS/79th FG Fw 190 E coast of Straits 15:35-17:00 Olynyk, p.43 79th FG also claimed Bf 109s in this combat. Bf 109s of I./JG 53 flew a sweep from Cassano 15:20-17:10, and met Kittyhawks. Nine Bf 109s of I./JG 77 and II./JG 77 flew a sweep to the Palmi area 15:20-17:00, and met four Spitfires and 25 P-40s. II./JG 77 claimed a Spitfire shot down off Sicily at 16:09. No JG 53 Bf 109s lost or damaged. No JG 77 Bf 109s lost or damaged. 7

8 /Lt. Taylor Malone, Jr. [0.5] 5th FS/52nd FG Fw m NE of Bizerte 18:50 Olynyk, p.44 F.O. Robert M. Moore [0.5] 5th FS/52nd FG /Lt. Taylor Malone, Jr. 5th FS/52nd FG Fw 190 dam 10 m NE of Bizerte 18:50 Olynyk, p.44 Two Fw 190s of II./Sch.G. 2 flew reconnaissance mission from Sardinia 17:55-20:00, and possibly met fighters. II./Sch.G. 2 Fw 190 possibly damaged by fighters ~19:00. No other known Luftwaffe losses in this combat /Lt. Leo G. Berinati 87th FS/79th FG Fw 190 D-1867, N of Messina Straits 09:45-11:25 Olynyk, p.44 87th FS/79th FG also claimed Bf 109s in this combat. Fifteen Bf 109s of I./JG 77 and II./JG 77 escorted five Do 217s and then flew a sweep 09:45-11:25, and II./JG 77 met nine P-40s. II./JG 77 claimed four Kittyhawks shot down off Sicily 10:45-11:00. II./JG 77 Bf 109 shot down in this combat east of Milazzo, pilot unhurt /Lt. Clarence Oscar Johnson 96th FS/82nd FG 2 Fw 190 Benevento 13:30 Olynyk, p /Lt. Clarence Oscar Johnson 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 dam Benevento 13:30 Olynyk, p /Lt. Lawrence P. Liebers 96th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 Benevento 13:30 Olynyk, p.45 82nd FG also claimed Bf 109s in this combat. 1st FG claimed Bf 109s, Mc.202s and Mc.200s at 12:40 near Cape Miseno. Bf 109s of IV./JG 3 scrambled from San Severo around 12:00, and met P-38s. Bf 109s of II./JG 53 scrambled from Cancello 12:21-13:26, and met P-38s. Bf 109s of III./JG 53 scrambled from Grazzaniese 12:20-13:10, and met P-38s. Ten Bf 109s of I./JG 77 scrambled from San Severo 12:35-14:10, and met 25 to 30 P-38s. IV./JG 3, II./JG 53, III./JG 53 and I./JG 77 claimed 25 P-38s shot down in the southern Italy area 12:22-13:49. II./JG 53 Bf 109 twenty per cent damaged in combat south-west of Cancello. I./JG 77 Bf 109 shot down in Naples area in this combat Captain Lloyd K. DeMoss 49th FS/14th FG Fw 190 Sulmona 11:45 Olynyk, p /Lt. Carroll S. Knott 49th FS/14th FG Fw 190 Sulmona 11:45 Olynyk, p.46 14th FG also claimed Bf 109s in this combat. 82nd FG claimed Bf 109s at Benevento between 10:00-14:45. 1st FG claimed Bf 109s at Caserta at 12:40. Fifteen Bf 109s of IV./JG 3 scrambled from San Severo 12:37-13:55, and met no enemy aircraft. Bf 109s of III./JG 53 scrambled from Grazzaniese 12:25-13:20, and met P-38s. Fourteen Bf 109s of Stab JG 77 and I./JG 77 scrambled from San Severo and Foggia 12:37-13:55, and met no enemy aircraft. III./JG 53 claimed a P-38 shot down off Italy at 13:11. III./JG 53 Bf 109 lost in combat with B-26s, pilot wounded. III./JG 53 Bf per cent damaged in crash-landing at Grazzaniese airfield after combat /Lt. John D. Hurst 27th FS/1st FG Fw 190 Laga di Patria 13:59-18:00 Olynyk, p Lt/Col. George M. MacNicol 97th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 dam Cancello 15:00 Olynyk, p.46 1st FG also claimed Bf 109s and Mc.202s in this combat. 82nd FG also claimed Bf 109s and Mc.202s in this combat. Sixteen Bf 109s of IV./JG 3 scrambled from San Severo 15:25-16:45, and met P-38s. Bf 109s of II./JG 53 scrambled from Cancello 14:41-15:50. Twelve Bf 109s of I./JG 77 scrambled from San Severo 15:25-16:45. IV./JG 3 and III./JG 53 claimed eight P-38s shot down in the southern Italy area 15:21-16:05. Two I./JG 53 Bf 109s lost in combat with Spitfires in Gulf of Eufemia [probably not relevant]. I./JG 53 Bf 109 belly-landed at Amanthea after combat, damaged, pilot unhurt. III./JG 53 Bf 109 damaged in combat with P-38s at Grazzaniese, pilot wounded. No I./JG 77 losses in this combat. 8

9 Lt. Vogelsong 49th FS/14th FG Fw 190 prob Viterbo Aerodrome area 11:30 Olynyk, p /Lt. Frank J. McIntosh 27th FS/1st FG Fw 190 Lago di Patria 11:55-12:35 Olynyk, p.47 14th FG also claimed Bf 109s in this combat. 1st FG also claimed Bf 109s and Mc.202s in this combat. No known Fw 190 losses. Bf 109s of II./JG 53 scrambled from Cancello 11:39-12:51, and met bombers and P-38s. Fourteen Bf 109s of IV./JG 3 scrambled from San Severo 11:40-13:30, and met P-38s. Bf 109s of III./JG 53 scrambled from Grazzaniese 11:42-13:00, and met P-38s. Two Bf 109s of Stab JG 77 scrambled from Foggia 11:40-13:30, and met P-38s. Sixteen Bf 109s of I./JG 77 scrambled from San Severo 11:40-13:30, and met P-38s. IV./JG 3, II./JG 53, III./JG 53, Stab JG 77, and I./JG 77 claimed 31 P-38s shot down and one damaged over southern Italy 12:06-12:40. 2 IV./JG 3 Bf 109 lost in combat with P-38s 60 km south-west of Ischia in this combat. I./JG 53 Bf 109 lost on a mission west of Amanthea, cause unknown, pilot missing. II./JG 53 Bf 109 lost in combat with P-38s one kilometre north-west of Giugliano, pilot killed /Lt. Alexander A. Yankaskas 93rd FS/81st FG Fw 190 prob 60 m NNW of Bizerte 16:30-19:00 Olynyk, p.47 Fw 190 of Sch.G per cent damaged by fighters, probably in this combat /Lt. William E. Shoemaker 97th FS/82nd FG Fw 190 N of Ischia to m SW of Ischia 13:15-13:45 Olynyk, p.48 82nd FG also claimed Bf 109s, Mc.202s and Re.2001s in this combat. 82nd FG lost ten P-38s in this combat. Four Fw 190s lost on missions to Augusta harbour, unrelated to this combat. 21 Bf 109s of IV./JG 3 scrambled from San Severo 13:05-14:40, and met 40 twin-engine bombers and P-38s. Bf 109s of II./JG 53 scrambled from Cancello 12:57-14:19, and fought combat. Bf 109s of III./JG 53 scrambled from Grazzaniese 13:00-14:20, and met P-38s. Twelve Bf 109s of Stab JG 77 and I./JG 77 scrambled from Foggia and San Severo 13:05-14:40, and met 40 twin-engine bombers and P- 38s. IV./JG 3, II./JG 53, III./JG 53, and I./JG 77 claimed eighteen P-38s shot down over southern Italy 13:30-13:50. IV./JG 3 Bf 109 lost in combat with P-38s 100 km south of Capri in this combat. IV./JG 3 Bf 109 damaged in combat with P-38s 100 km south of Capri in this combat. I./JG 53 Bf 109 lost in combat fifteen kilometres north-west of Tropea, pilot missing. Two II./JG 53 Bf 109s lost in combat in the sea north-west of Ischia, pilots both wounded. III./JG 53 Bf 109 lost in combat 50 km south-west of Ischia, pilot killed. Stab JG 77 Bf 109 lost in Naples area, cause unknown. I./JG 77 Bf 109 lost south-west of Ischia in combat with P-38s. 2 Luftflotte 2 initially reported the number of aerial victories by fighters as 23 P-38s and one Marauder. 9

10 Tables Table 1: Monthly Fw 190 claims by USAAF units Month Destroyed Probably Damaged Destroyed May June July August September TOTAL Table 2: Actual Fw 190 losses to USAAF fighters % 1-59% Possibly Possibly Damage Damage Destroyed Damaged Table 3: USAAF Unit Claims Unit Fw 190s Fw 190s Fw 190s Destroyed Probably Damaged Destroyed 27th FS/1st FG st FS/1st FG th FS/1st FG th FS/14th FG th FS/14th FG th FS/14th FG HQ 31st FG th FS/31st FG th FS/31st FG th FS/31st FG rd FS/27th FG th FS/33rd FG nd FS/52nd FG th FS/52nd FG th FS/52nd FG th FS/79th FG th FS/79th FG th FS/79th FG rd FS/81st FG th FS/82nd FG th FS/82nd FG th FS/350th FG th FS Total

11 Bibliography Primary Sources BA-MA RL 2 II/966, Einsatzraum Mittelmeer Atlantik: Lageberichte Bereich Luftflotte 2 und Luftflottenkommando Süd/Südost, BA-MA RL 10/308, JG 77 Kriegstagebuch Nr. 18, NARA RG 18, Box 2270, 31st Fighter Group records Arno Fischer, Logbook Robert Guggelberger, Logbook Alfred Hammer, Logbook Gerhard Hanf, Logbook Alfred Kleinert, Logbook Karl-Heinz Messer, Logbook Rudolf Nielinger, Logbook Karl Rammelt, Logbook Luftwaffe victory claims material Combat Data (Lt. William J. SCHILDT) Genst.Gen.Qu.6.Abt. Luftwaffe victory claims material Secondary Sources Frank J. Olynyk, Victory List No. 6: USAAF (Mediterranean Theater) Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft in Air-to-Air Combat of World War 2, self-published, Aurora, Jochen Prien, IV./Jagdgeschwader 3: Chronik des Einsatzes einer Jagdgruppe, , struvedruck, Eutin, undated. Jochen Prien, (translated by David Johnston,) Jagdgeschwader 53: A History of the Pik As Geschwader, Volume 2, May January 1944, Schiffer, Atglen, Jochen Prien, Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 77, Teil 3: , struve-druck, Eutin, undated. 11