On this Wendsday 15/7 1942, most of the mission flown by the Axis fighter force against their Allied counterpart was conducted by the Italians. A number of flights that was made over the El Alamein was recorded this day with claims and losses filed by both sides. The Jagdwaffe pilots recorded at least two missions flown in the area during he day.

Ten Bf 109s of I./JG 27 were in the area, providing top cover to Ju 87s. The pilots of this Gruppe reported meeting 18 Hurricanes, Lt Stahlschmidt attacking one which crash-landed a few miles west of Hammam. This was Hurricane was almost certainly flown by Sgt. Newick, who was slightly wounded.

Later in the afternoon eleven Bf 109s of II./JG 27 were also out escorting the Stukas, their pilots reporting meeting 30-40 Curtiss fighters, one of which Fw. Steis claimed to have shot down. It interesting to note that on this date one Ju 87 was in fact lost in the El Alamein area, reportedly shot down by AA with both crew reported KIA.

During the days fighting the Allied filed claims for two Axis fighters, a Bf 109 and one MC 202, with another seven damaged machines, including two Bf 109s, four MC 202s, one Ju 88 and finally a Ju 87 probably, all for an own loss of one P-40 and tree Hurricanes damaged with another write off

The Axis filed claims for a total of six Allied machines this day, with another four propables, all for an own loss of a Ju 87 and two force landed fighters, a Bf 109 F-4 from III./JG 27 and MC. 202. Its interesting to note that most the claims filed today was filed by the Italians, no less than five P-40 with another four as probable.

In the late afternoon an S.79 flown personally by Benito Mussolini, on a visit to front-line units arrived. During this he awarded decorations for outstanding acts of valour in North Africa to eleven Stormo pilots.

The Bf 109 F-4 that force-landed this day was this "Yellow 9", W.Nr. 8550 who experienced 60% damage, by other words a total write off. However checking the photos this is questionable as it was seen standing undamaged on its landing gears.

The pilot of this Messerschmitt, Uffz. Heinz-Albecht Drunk from 9./JG 27 was reported unhurt, no wonder. Not much is know about this pilot others that he as Feldwebel on 28 November 1942 crashed another F-4 during an "Alarm start" emergency take-off. There is no mention of him making any claims during his career as a fighter pilot.

This profile was one of eight profile made during the week, including my first three Bf 109 G-12. I guess this profile woud be included in profile book No 19.