Mission
No. 99 / March 31, 1943
Counter-Shipping
Near Zembra Islands
Narrative Report:
Eighteen P-38s of the 95th Fighter Squadron,
82nd Fighter
Group,
led by Capt. Osher, 1st Lt. Hamric, 2nd Lt. Schildt and 1st Lt.
Embrey,
and nine P-38s of the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group,
led by
Capt.
Lynn, and 1st Lt. Barber, took off to escort fifteen B-25s of
the 321st
Bombardment
Group (M) on a counter-shipping mission. Three P-38's
returned
early due to mechanical difficulties. A convey was sighted thru
the
haze about twenty miles NNE of Zembra Islands, and as our formation
approached,
a Ju88 was sighted, veering away. Seveeral flights took out
after the Ju88, and shortly after, several Me 109s and Macchi
200s attacked
our formation. In the ensuing dogfight, one Me109 was destroyed
and one
P-38
was seen to crash into the sea. The bomber formation made their
run in
spite of accurate, heavy flak, and hits were seen on at least
one large
vessel. Due to low clouds and haze, accurate observation was not
possible
by our fighters. The fighter formation lost sight of the bombers
after their
bomb run, and the dogfight, so headed for home. Twenty-two P-38s
landed
safely,
at this base. Two P-38s are missing.
Chronology:
Time off 1315. Over target 1440. Down at
base 1620.
Route: Base
to Cap Bizertie to N of Zembra Islands to NE to La Galite to base.
Altitude:
Deck over sea.
Enemy Aerial Activity:
One Ju88 appeared and successfully lured
several
flights of fighters away just as the convoy was sighted. Several
P-38's fired
at it, and it dropped several depth charges, blowing one P-38
a hundred feet
into the air and covering the windshields of two other fighters
with oil. The
Ju88 was later seen to crash into the sea. Near the convoy about
ten
Me109s and at least two Macchi 200s attacked our formation. One
P-38 was
shot down in flames and one Me109 also hit the sea. The two Macchi
200's
attacked the bombers but were driven off by our fighters.
Enemy Naval
and Shipping Activity: A large convoy of
six to eight vessels,
escorted by destroyers was sighted about 20 miles NNE of Zembra
Islands,
proceeding SW at 1450 hours. It was attacked by our bombers.
Results
of Bombing: One large vessel hit and observed
sinking and sending
up
a large column of black smoke.
Flak: Intense
heavy, accurate flak from naval escort at long range.
Weather:
Enroute 5/10 cloud at 4000 feet. Over target
3/10 at 3000 feet
and very hazy, limiting visability to 4 - 6 miles.
Enemy Losses:
1 - Ju88 destroyed. Credit not yet settled.
1 - Me109
destroyed by Lt. Marion Moore.
Our Losses:
Two P-38s and pilots: 2nd Lt. Joseph R.
Sheen, Jr., Emporia,
Kansas. 2nd Lt. Francis M. Molloy, Newton, Iowa (Arnolds Park,
Iowa). One
of these set on fire and shot down into sea by Me109 on tail.
Radio: Fair.
Comments:
Ju 88 tried to and succeeded in luring several
flights of our
fighters
away from our bombers. It dropped depth charge in front of
pursuing
fighters. The Me109s used their usual diving attack with a quick
climb back up and away, using cloud cover.
Signed:
J. A. Roth, Major, Air Corps, Intelligence
Officer.
(L to
R): 2nd Lt. Joseph R. Sheen, Jr.(95), Emporia, Ks.,
2nd Lt. Francis M.
Molloy(95),
Arnolds Park, Ia, lost 3/31/43. 2nd Lt. Oliver B. Hays(95),
Hamburg, Ia,
lost 3/22/43. (Linc Jones collection)
2nd Lt. Francis
M. Molloy(95th), Uncle, of the Webmaster.
(Linc Jones
collection)
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