Captain John Meidinger entered service at Los Angeles, California on 03-25-1942. He was initially assigned to advanced pilot class 43-D at Williams Field, Mesa, Arizona. He was eventually assigned to the 48th Fighter Squadron.
Plans were made in the spring of 1942 to deploy Lightning squadrons to Britain. This deployment caused logistical problems, since the German U-boat menace made shipping across the Atlantic quite risky. However, development by Lockheed of reliable drop tanks for the P-38F-1-LO increased the ferry range from 1300 to 2200 miles. This made it possible to ferry the Lightnings from Maine to the UK via Goose Bay, Labrador to Bluie West One (Greenland) to Reykjavik, Iceland and finally to Prestwick, Scotland. Following the American victory at the Battle of Midway, the US Army Air Force felt sufficiently confident that the Japanese fleet was not about to show up off California that they decided to re-deploy the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups to Great Britain. By August 1942, 81 P-38Fs of four of the six squadrons of the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups had arrived in Great Britain to complete the first transatlantic crossing by single-seat fighters.
Equipped with Lockheed P-38 Lightning Fighter Planes, the 14th Fighter Group escorted B-17 and B-24 Bombers to targets in France. In addition, fourteen P-38s of the 48th Fighter Squadron were sent on detached service to RAF West Hampnett and RAF Ford in southern England, where in coordination with British squadrons, the pilots engaged in numerous practice sweep sorties across the English Channel.
After flying 347 practice and sweep sorties during which there was no contact with the German Luftwaffe, the 1st, 14th, and 82nd Fighter Groups were transferred to the 12th Air Force in North Africa. The Lightnings were soon in regular combat in the North African theater. In these air battles, mixed success was obtained because of the German tactics. The Lightnings were forced to fight at lower altitudes of 15,000 feet, and in battles against German fighters they were not entirely successful. The twin engines restricted maneuverability to some extent and the Lightning had a wheel control instead of the conventional stick, which may also have restricted maneuverability. Nevertheless, the P-38 Lightning was effective against bombers and had a sensational zoom climb that could rarely be matched. It wreaked great havoc among the German Air Transport well out to sea, earning for itself the German nickname "der Gabelschwanz Teufel"--the Fork-Tailed Devil.
When the 48th Fighter Squadron arrived in Algeria on 11-15-1942, the Allied armies had landed successfully at Oran and Algiers along the North African coastline. Preparations were being made to move swiftly into Tunisia in order to prevent Germans and Italians from seizing that strategic area. The rapid buildup of Allied air power was an essential ingredient in this eastward thrust and the arrival of the 48th Fighter Squadron at Oran, Algeria, was a part of this buildup. The unit remained at Oran for three days and then was sent to Maison Blanche, Algiers. Maison Blanche was located much closer to the combat area in Tunisia. On the night of arrival, the German Air Force bombed the airfield. Seven P-38s of the 48th Squadron were damaged. The next day, enough Lightnings were available to accompany B-17s of the 97th Bombardment Group in a strike against the El Aouina airdrome at Tunis, where eight enemy aircraft were destroyed. No planes of the 48th Fighter Squadron or the 97th Bombardment Group were lost.
Meanwhile, the need for air units even closer to the Tunisian combat area became apparent, and the Tebessa-Youks les Bains area, located next to the Tunisian frontier, was selected as the most suitable spot for the concentration of Allied air power. C-47 transport planes immediately began to ferry supplies in Youks, which had just been captured by American paratroopers. On 11-22-1942, the 48th Fighter Squadron moved to this advance station in the Tebessa Mountains, and on the same day, the Squadron flew several strafing and escort missions.
Throughout December 1942, the 48th Squadron flew many missions from Youks les Bains. On 12-14-1942, eight P-38s of the squadron took off at 10am, rendezvoused over Thelepte with twelve P-40s, and escorted nine Boston (DB-7s) to Sfax, where the target was a railroad station. Other fighters of the 48th Squadron took off that same day at 2:30pm and provided high cover for nine Bostons in another raid on the railroad station at Sfax. The next day, two P-38s flew over Tunis and Bizerte on a reconnaissance flight; four P-38s escorted three Bostons in a bombing attack on bridges between Gabes and Sfax; and eight P-38s escorted six Bostons on a mission over Pont Du Fahs. Close escort for Bostons was given on 12-16-1942 when six P-38s were sent to Mateur and seven P-38s to Massicault.
On 12-17-1942, eight P-38s were dispatched to Gabes and eight P-38s to an airdrome near Tunis. Escort missions were conducted to Gabes on 12-19-1942 and to Enjidaville on 12-20-1942. Four P-38s of the 48th Squadron made a fighter sweep on Sfax and Sousse on 12-26-1942, and two planes were sent to Sbeitla to cover the movement of a train. Two days later, six planes went on a long-range reconnaissance mission into Tripolitania, which was followed by a similar long-range reconnaissance flight over Tripoli. During December 1942, the Allied advance on the ground was repulsed by the Germans and the race for Tunis resulted in victory to the enemy.
The 48th Fighter Squadron left Youks les Bains for Berteaux, approximately five miles east of Telergma, on 01-09-1943, and operated from the landing grounds around Berteaux until operations were terminated on 01-28-1943. Similar to the type of activity at Youks les Bains was the job at Berteaux, where the Squadron provided escorts for B-25 and B-26 aircraft and flew separate fighter sweeps and made reconnaissance missions.
On 01-28-1943, there was a temporary cessation of the combat activities for the 48th Fighter Squadron. The older pilots of the Squadron, who had fought with the unit since arrival in North Africa, were returned to the United States.
On 02-28-1943, the 48th Squadron moved out of the combat area and returned to Mediouna airdrome, some eighteen miles southeast of Casablanca. There followed a period of rest, recuperation, and training. Pilots were received from the nearby training school at Beerschid and from the 78th Fighter Group in England. The Squadron was brought up to full strength. By the end of April 1943, preparations began for movement back into the combat area. The ground echelon left in several motor convoys for Telergma, the next base of operations; and the air echelon departed on 05-05-1943. When the 48th Fighter Squadron returned to combat service at Telergma, Algeria, the war in Tunisia was over. On 05-07-1943, the British captured Tunis and the Americans seized Bizerte.
Between 05-08-1943 and 06-11-1943 the group took part in the massive aerial bombardment of Pantelleria Island. Pantelleria Island belonged to Italy. The bombardment attack on Pantelleria broke the morale of the defenders and led to the surrender of the island. The garrison surrendered as the landing troops approached.
Pantelleria's capture was regarded as crucial to Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943 as planes based on Pantelleria could readily reach Sicily. In Operation Corkscrew the Allies bombarded Pantelleria heavily from air and sea in the days before the invasion. Pantelleria then became a vital base for Allied aircraft during the assault on Sicily.
During the invasion of Sicily, the long-range P-38s were used on attacks against targets on the Italian mainland. They also attacked the Italian and German Axis evacuation route in mid-August 1943, badly damaging their transport routes.
During November 1943, the 14th Fighter Group's main task was to escort the Italian based strategic bombers as they raided targets across much of southern Europe. During this same time, the Group continued to carry out attacks on German transport links, attacking targets across much of the same area.
On 12-12-1943 the 48th Fighter Squadron was transferred to Triolo Landing Grounds in Italy. Triolo Landing Grounds (Triolo Airfield) was a captured Regia Aeronautica fighter airfield located approximately 8km southeast of San Severo in Apulia, Italy on the north bank of the Triolo River.
During the Battle for Anzio, the German Luftwaffe made a major effort, assembling a much larger bomber force than at any time since the battle of Sicily. The Allies responded with a series of major attacks on Luftwaffe airfields. The 14th Fighter Group took part in one unusual raid on 01-30-1944. The target was the series of airfields around Udine in Austria. Five bomber groups and three fighter groups, including the 14th Fighter Group attacked in the normal way to attract German attention. At the same time the 325th Fighter Group followed the main raid, then got ahead of it and hit the German fighter bases just as their aircraft were taking off. The result was a devastating defeat for the Luftwaffe forces in Austria.
The 14th Fighter Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for defeating a series of German fighter attacks during a raid on a ball-bearing factory in Austria on 04-02-1944.
On 08-17-1944, the 14th Fighter Group took part in Operation Dragoon - the invasion of the South of France - carrying out a heavy attack on German airfields.
On 03-18-1945, Captain Meidinger was assigned a mission to dive-bomb and strafe a target at Varazdin, Yugoslavia (Croatia). Specifically, he was assigned to attack a railroad bridge located near Varazdin.
Captain Meidinger departed Triolo Landing Grounds in Italy flying his assigned P-38 "13 Little Karl". 2nd Lt. John Senter was flying his own plane during this same mission. On 03-18-1945 at 1:13pm, Captain Meidinger's plane was struck by German anti-aircraft fire that caused him and his place to crash near Varazdin. 2nd Lt. Senter witnessed Captain Meidinger's plane be struck by the enemy fire and then crash.
The record of Captain Meidinger's plane crash states "Battle Casualty"- "MIA"- "No search was made".
Captain John Meidinger was reported missing and ultimately declared dead on March 18, 1945. Recorded circumstances attributed to: "MIA"-- Missing in Action or Lost at Sea- Remains not Recovered.
Awards:
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart
AIRCRAFT: P-38L 44-25041
LOCATION: Varazdin, Yugoslavia
REMARKS: Shot down by anti-aircraft fire
Plans were made in the spring of 1942 to deploy Lightning squadrons to Britain. This deployment caused logistical problems, since the German U-boat menace made shipping across the Atlantic quite risky. However, development by Lockheed of reliable drop tanks for the P-38F-1-LO increased the ferry range from 1300 to 2200 miles. This made it possible to ferry the Lightnings from Maine to the UK via Goose Bay, Labrador to Bluie West One (Greenland) to Reykjavik, Iceland and finally to Prestwick, Scotland. Following the American victory at the Battle of Midway, the US Army Air Force felt sufficiently confident that the Japanese fleet was not about to show up off California that they decided to re-deploy the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups to Great Britain. By August 1942, 81 P-38Fs of four of the six squadrons of the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups had arrived in Great Britain to complete the first transatlantic crossing by single-seat fighters.
Equipped with Lockheed P-38 Lightning Fighter Planes, the 14th Fighter Group escorted B-17 and B-24 Bombers to targets in France. In addition, fourteen P-38s of the 48th Fighter Squadron were sent on detached service to RAF West Hampnett and RAF Ford in southern England, where in coordination with British squadrons, the pilots engaged in numerous practice sweep sorties across the English Channel.
After flying 347 practice and sweep sorties during which there was no contact with the German Luftwaffe, the 1st, 14th, and 82nd Fighter Groups were transferred to the 12th Air Force in North Africa. The Lightnings were soon in regular combat in the North African theater. In these air battles, mixed success was obtained because of the German tactics. The Lightnings were forced to fight at lower altitudes of 15,000 feet, and in battles against German fighters they were not entirely successful. The twin engines restricted maneuverability to some extent and the Lightning had a wheel control instead of the conventional stick, which may also have restricted maneuverability. Nevertheless, the P-38 Lightning was effective against bombers and had a sensational zoom climb that could rarely be matched. It wreaked great havoc among the German Air Transport well out to sea, earning for itself the German nickname "der Gabelschwanz Teufel"--the Fork-Tailed Devil.
When the 48th Fighter Squadron arrived in Algeria on 11-15-1942, the Allied armies had landed successfully at Oran and Algiers along the North African coastline. Preparations were being made to move swiftly into Tunisia in order to prevent Germans and Italians from seizing that strategic area. The rapid buildup of Allied air power was an essential ingredient in this eastward thrust and the arrival of the 48th Fighter Squadron at Oran, Algeria, was a part of this buildup. The unit remained at Oran for three days and then was sent to Maison Blanche, Algiers. Maison Blanche was located much closer to the combat area in Tunisia. On the night of arrival, the German Air Force bombed the airfield. Seven P-38s of the 48th Squadron were damaged. The next day, enough Lightnings were available to accompany B-17s of the 97th Bombardment Group in a strike against the El Aouina airdrome at Tunis, where eight enemy aircraft were destroyed. No planes of the 48th Fighter Squadron or the 97th Bombardment Group were lost.
Meanwhile, the need for air units even closer to the Tunisian combat area became apparent, and the Tebessa-Youks les Bains area, located next to the Tunisian frontier, was selected as the most suitable spot for the concentration of Allied air power. C-47 transport planes immediately began to ferry supplies in Youks, which had just been captured by American paratroopers. On 11-22-1942, the 48th Fighter Squadron moved to this advance station in the Tebessa Mountains, and on the same day, the Squadron flew several strafing and escort missions.
Throughout December 1942, the 48th Squadron flew many missions from Youks les Bains. On 12-14-1942, eight P-38s of the squadron took off at 10am, rendezvoused over Thelepte with twelve P-40s, and escorted nine Boston (DB-7s) to Sfax, where the target was a railroad station. Other fighters of the 48th Squadron took off that same day at 2:30pm and provided high cover for nine Bostons in another raid on the railroad station at Sfax. The next day, two P-38s flew over Tunis and Bizerte on a reconnaissance flight; four P-38s escorted three Bostons in a bombing attack on bridges between Gabes and Sfax; and eight P-38s escorted six Bostons on a mission over Pont Du Fahs. Close escort for Bostons was given on 12-16-1942 when six P-38s were sent to Mateur and seven P-38s to Massicault.
On 12-17-1942, eight P-38s were dispatched to Gabes and eight P-38s to an airdrome near Tunis. Escort missions were conducted to Gabes on 12-19-1942 and to Enjidaville on 12-20-1942. Four P-38s of the 48th Squadron made a fighter sweep on Sfax and Sousse on 12-26-1942, and two planes were sent to Sbeitla to cover the movement of a train. Two days later, six planes went on a long-range reconnaissance mission into Tripolitania, which was followed by a similar long-range reconnaissance flight over Tripoli. During December 1942, the Allied advance on the ground was repulsed by the Germans and the race for Tunis resulted in victory to the enemy.
The 48th Fighter Squadron left Youks les Bains for Berteaux, approximately five miles east of Telergma, on 01-09-1943, and operated from the landing grounds around Berteaux until operations were terminated on 01-28-1943. Similar to the type of activity at Youks les Bains was the job at Berteaux, where the Squadron provided escorts for B-25 and B-26 aircraft and flew separate fighter sweeps and made reconnaissance missions.
On 01-28-1943, there was a temporary cessation of the combat activities for the 48th Fighter Squadron. The older pilots of the Squadron, who had fought with the unit since arrival in North Africa, were returned to the United States.
On 02-28-1943, the 48th Squadron moved out of the combat area and returned to Mediouna airdrome, some eighteen miles southeast of Casablanca. There followed a period of rest, recuperation, and training. Pilots were received from the nearby training school at Beerschid and from the 78th Fighter Group in England. The Squadron was brought up to full strength. By the end of April 1943, preparations began for movement back into the combat area. The ground echelon left in several motor convoys for Telergma, the next base of operations; and the air echelon departed on 05-05-1943. When the 48th Fighter Squadron returned to combat service at Telergma, Algeria, the war in Tunisia was over. On 05-07-1943, the British captured Tunis and the Americans seized Bizerte.
Between 05-08-1943 and 06-11-1943 the group took part in the massive aerial bombardment of Pantelleria Island. Pantelleria Island belonged to Italy. The bombardment attack on Pantelleria broke the morale of the defenders and led to the surrender of the island. The garrison surrendered as the landing troops approached.
Pantelleria's capture was regarded as crucial to Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943 as planes based on Pantelleria could readily reach Sicily. In Operation Corkscrew the Allies bombarded Pantelleria heavily from air and sea in the days before the invasion. Pantelleria then became a vital base for Allied aircraft during the assault on Sicily.
During the invasion of Sicily, the long-range P-38s were used on attacks against targets on the Italian mainland. They also attacked the Italian and German Axis evacuation route in mid-August 1943, badly damaging their transport routes.
During November 1943, the 14th Fighter Group's main task was to escort the Italian based strategic bombers as they raided targets across much of southern Europe. During this same time, the Group continued to carry out attacks on German transport links, attacking targets across much of the same area.
On 12-12-1943 the 48th Fighter Squadron was transferred to Triolo Landing Grounds in Italy. Triolo Landing Grounds (Triolo Airfield) was a captured Regia Aeronautica fighter airfield located approximately 8km southeast of San Severo in Apulia, Italy on the north bank of the Triolo River.
During the Battle for Anzio, the German Luftwaffe made a major effort, assembling a much larger bomber force than at any time since the battle of Sicily. The Allies responded with a series of major attacks on Luftwaffe airfields. The 14th Fighter Group took part in one unusual raid on 01-30-1944. The target was the series of airfields around Udine in Austria. Five bomber groups and three fighter groups, including the 14th Fighter Group attacked in the normal way to attract German attention. At the same time the 325th Fighter Group followed the main raid, then got ahead of it and hit the German fighter bases just as their aircraft were taking off. The result was a devastating defeat for the Luftwaffe forces in Austria.
The 14th Fighter Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for defeating a series of German fighter attacks during a raid on a ball-bearing factory in Austria on 04-02-1944.
On 08-17-1944, the 14th Fighter Group took part in Operation Dragoon - the invasion of the South of France - carrying out a heavy attack on German airfields.
On 03-18-1945, Captain Meidinger was assigned a mission to dive-bomb and strafe a target at Varazdin, Yugoslavia (Croatia). Specifically, he was assigned to attack a railroad bridge located near Varazdin.
Captain Meidinger departed Triolo Landing Grounds in Italy flying his assigned P-38 "13 Little Karl". 2nd Lt. John Senter was flying his own plane during this same mission. On 03-18-1945 at 1:13pm, Captain Meidinger's plane was struck by German anti-aircraft fire that caused him and his place to crash near Varazdin. 2nd Lt. Senter witnessed Captain Meidinger's plane be struck by the enemy fire and then crash.
The record of Captain Meidinger's plane crash states "Battle Casualty"- "MIA"- "No search was made".
Captain John Meidinger was reported missing and ultimately declared dead on March 18, 1945. Recorded circumstances attributed to: "MIA"-- Missing in Action or Lost at Sea- Remains not Recovered.
Awards:
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart
AIRCRAFT: P-38L 44-25041
LOCATION: Varazdin, Yugoslavia
REMARKS: Shot down by anti-aircraft fire
Captain John Meidinger entered service at Los Angeles, California on 03-25-1942. He was initially assigned to advanced pilot class 43-D at Williams Field, Mesa, Arizona. He was eventually assigned to the 48th Fighter Squadron.
Plans were made in the spring of 1942 to deploy Lightning squadrons to Britain. This deployment caused logistical problems, since the German U-boat menace made shipping across the Atlantic quite risky. However, development by Lockheed of reliable drop tanks for the P-38F-1-LO increased the ferry range from 1300 to 2200 miles. This made it possible to ferry the Lightnings from Maine to the UK via Goose Bay, Labrador to Bluie West One (Greenland) to Reykjavik, Iceland and finally to Prestwick, Scotland. Following the American victory at the Battle of Midway, the US Army Air Force felt sufficiently confident that the Japanese fleet was not about to show up off California that they decided to re-deploy the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups to Great Britain. By August 1942, 81 P-38Fs of four of the six squadrons of the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups had arrived in Great Britain to complete the first transatlantic crossing by single-seat fighters.
Equipped with Lockheed P-38 Lightning Fighter Planes, the 14th Fighter Group escorted B-17 and B-24 Bombers to targets in France. In addition, fourteen P-38s of the 48th Fighter Squadron were sent on detached service to RAF West Hampnett and RAF Ford in southern England, where in coordination with British squadrons, the pilots engaged in numerous practice sweep sorties across the English Channel.
After flying 347 practice and sweep sorties during which there was no contact with the German Luftwaffe, the 1st, 14th, and 82nd Fighter Groups were transferred to the 12th Air Force in North Africa. The Lightnings were soon in regular combat in the North African theater. In these air battles, mixed success was obtained because of the German tactics. The Lightnings were forced to fight at lower altitudes of 15,000 feet, and in battles against German fighters they were not entirely successful. The twin engines restricted maneuverability to some extent and the Lightning had a wheel control instead of the conventional stick, which may also have restricted maneuverability. Nevertheless, the P-38 Lightning was effective against bombers and had a sensational zoom climb that could rarely be matched. It wreaked great havoc among the German Air Transport well out to sea, earning for itself the German nickname "der Gabelschwanz Teufel"--the Fork-Tailed Devil.
When the 48th Fighter Squadron arrived in Algeria on 11-15-1942, the Allied armies had landed successfully at Oran and Algiers along the North African coastline. Preparations were being made to move swiftly into Tunisia in order to prevent Germans and Italians from seizing that strategic area. The rapid buildup of Allied air power was an essential ingredient in this eastward thrust and the arrival of the 48th Fighter Squadron at Oran, Algeria, was a part of this buildup. The unit remained at Oran for three days and then was sent to Maison Blanche, Algiers. Maison Blanche was located much closer to the combat area in Tunisia. On the night of arrival, the German Air Force bombed the airfield. Seven P-38s of the 48th Squadron were damaged. The next day, enough Lightnings were available to accompany B-17s of the 97th Bombardment Group in a strike against the El Aouina airdrome at Tunis, where eight enemy aircraft were destroyed. No planes of the 48th Fighter Squadron or the 97th Bombardment Group were lost.
Meanwhile, the need for air units even closer to the Tunisian combat area became apparent, and the Tebessa-Youks les Bains area, located next to the Tunisian frontier, was selected as the most suitable spot for the concentration of Allied air power. C-47 transport planes immediately began to ferry supplies in Youks, which had just been captured by American paratroopers. On 11-22-1942, the 48th Fighter Squadron moved to this advance station in the Tebessa Mountains, and on the same day, the Squadron flew several strafing and escort missions.
Throughout December 1942, the 48th Squadron flew many missions from Youks les Bains. On 12-14-1942, eight P-38s of the squadron took off at 10am, rendezvoused over Thelepte with twelve P-40s, and escorted nine Boston (DB-7s) to Sfax, where the target was a railroad station. Other fighters of the 48th Squadron took off that same day at 2:30pm and provided high cover for nine Bostons in another raid on the railroad station at Sfax. The next day, two P-38s flew over Tunis and Bizerte on a reconnaissance flight; four P-38s escorted three Bostons in a bombing attack on bridges between Gabes and Sfax; and eight P-38s escorted six Bostons on a mission over Pont Du Fahs. Close escort for Bostons was given on 12-16-1942 when six P-38s were sent to Mateur and seven P-38s to Massicault.
On 12-17-1942, eight P-38s were dispatched to Gabes and eight P-38s to an airdrome near Tunis. Escort missions were conducted to Gabes on 12-19-1942 and to Enjidaville on 12-20-1942. Four P-38s of the 48th Squadron made a fighter sweep on Sfax and Sousse on 12-26-1942, and two planes were sent to Sbeitla to cover the movement of a train. Two days later, six planes went on a long-range reconnaissance mission into Tripolitania, which was followed by a similar long-range reconnaissance flight over Tripoli. During December 1942, the Allied advance on the ground was repulsed by the Germans and the race for Tunis resulted in victory to the enemy.
The 48th Fighter Squadron left Youks les Bains for Berteaux, approximately five miles east of Telergma, on 01-09-1943, and operated from the landing grounds around Berteaux until operations were terminated on 01-28-1943. Similar to the type of activity at Youks les Bains was the job at Berteaux, where the Squadron provided escorts for B-25 and B-26 aircraft and flew separate fighter sweeps and made reconnaissance missions.
On 01-28-1943, there was a temporary cessation of the combat activities for the 48th Fighter Squadron. The older pilots of the Squadron, who had fought with the unit since arrival in North Africa, were returned to the United States.
On 02-28-1943, the 48th Squadron moved out of the combat area and returned to Mediouna airdrome, some eighteen miles southeast of Casablanca. There followed a period of rest, recuperation, and training. Pilots were received from the nearby training school at Beerschid and from the 78th Fighter Group in England. The Squadron was brought up to full strength. By the end of April 1943, preparations began for movement back into the combat area. The ground echelon left in several motor convoys for Telergma, the next base of operations; and the air echelon departed on 05-05-1943. When the 48th Fighter Squadron returned to combat service at Telergma, Algeria, the war in Tunisia was over. On 05-07-1943, the British captured Tunis and the Americans seized Bizerte.
Between 05-08-1943 and 06-11-1943 the group took part in the massive aerial bombardment of Pantelleria Island. Pantelleria Island belonged to Italy. The bombardment attack on Pantelleria broke the morale of the defenders and led to the surrender of the island. The garrison surrendered as the landing troops approached.
Pantelleria's capture was regarded as crucial to Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943 as planes based on Pantelleria could readily reach Sicily. In Operation Corkscrew the Allies bombarded Pantelleria heavily from air and sea in the days before the invasion. Pantelleria then became a vital base for Allied aircraft during the assault on Sicily.
During the invasion of Sicily, the long-range P-38s were used on attacks against targets on the Italian mainland. They also attacked the Italian and German Axis evacuation route in mid-August 1943, badly damaging their transport routes.
During November 1943, the 14th Fighter Group's main task was to escort the Italian based strategic bombers as they raided targets across much of southern Europe. During this same time, the Group continued to carry out attacks on German transport links, attacking targets across much of the same area.
On 12-12-1943 the 48th Fighter Squadron was transferred to Triolo Landing Grounds in Italy. Triolo Landing Grounds (Triolo Airfield) was a captured Regia Aeronautica fighter airfield located approximately 8km southeast of San Severo in Apulia, Italy on the north bank of the Triolo River.
During the Battle for Anzio, the German Luftwaffe made a major effort, assembling a much larger bomber force than at any time since the battle of Sicily. The Allies responded with a series of major attacks on Luftwaffe airfields. The 14th Fighter Group took part in one unusual raid on 01-30-1944. The target was the series of airfields around Udine in Austria. Five bomber groups and three fighter groups, including the 14th Fighter Group attacked in the normal way to attract German attention. At the same time the 325th Fighter Group followed the main raid, then got ahead of it and hit the German fighter bases just as their aircraft were taking off. The result was a devastating defeat for the Luftwaffe forces in Austria.
The 14th Fighter Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for defeating a series of German fighter attacks during a raid on a ball-bearing factory in Austria on 04-02-1944.
On 08-17-1944, the 14th Fighter Group took part in Operation Dragoon - the invasion of the South of France - carrying out a heavy attack on German airfields.
On 03-18-1945, Captain Meidinger was assigned a mission to dive-bomb and strafe a target at Varazdin, Yugoslavia (Croatia). Specifically, he was assigned to attack a railroad bridge located near Varazdin.
Captain Meidinger departed Triolo Landing Grounds in Italy flying his assigned P-38 "13 Little Karl". 2nd Lt. John Senter was flying his own plane during this same mission. On 03-18-1945 at 1:13pm, Captain Meidinger's plane was struck by German anti-aircraft fire that caused him and his place to crash near Varazdin. 2nd Lt. Senter witnessed Captain Meidinger's plane be struck by the enemy fire and then crash.
The record of Captain Meidinger's plane crash states "Battle Casualty"- "MIA"- "No search was made".
Captain John Meidinger was reported missing and ultimately declared dead on March 18, 1945. Recorded circumstances attributed to: "MIA"-- Missing in Action or Lost at Sea- Remains not Recovered.
Awards:
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart
AIRCRAFT: P-38L 44-25041
LOCATION: Varazdin, Yugoslavia
REMARKS: Shot down by anti-aircraft fire
Plans were made in the spring of 1942 to deploy Lightning squadrons to Britain. This deployment caused logistical problems, since the German U-boat menace made shipping across the Atlantic quite risky. However, development by Lockheed of reliable drop tanks for the P-38F-1-LO increased the ferry range from 1300 to 2200 miles. This made it possible to ferry the Lightnings from Maine to the UK via Goose Bay, Labrador to Bluie West One (Greenland) to Reykjavik, Iceland and finally to Prestwick, Scotland. Following the American victory at the Battle of Midway, the US Army Air Force felt sufficiently confident that the Japanese fleet was not about to show up off California that they decided to re-deploy the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups to Great Britain. By August 1942, 81 P-38Fs of four of the six squadrons of the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups had arrived in Great Britain to complete the first transatlantic crossing by single-seat fighters.
Equipped with Lockheed P-38 Lightning Fighter Planes, the 14th Fighter Group escorted B-17 and B-24 Bombers to targets in France. In addition, fourteen P-38s of the 48th Fighter Squadron were sent on detached service to RAF West Hampnett and RAF Ford in southern England, where in coordination with British squadrons, the pilots engaged in numerous practice sweep sorties across the English Channel.
After flying 347 practice and sweep sorties during which there was no contact with the German Luftwaffe, the 1st, 14th, and 82nd Fighter Groups were transferred to the 12th Air Force in North Africa. The Lightnings were soon in regular combat in the North African theater. In these air battles, mixed success was obtained because of the German tactics. The Lightnings were forced to fight at lower altitudes of 15,000 feet, and in battles against German fighters they were not entirely successful. The twin engines restricted maneuverability to some extent and the Lightning had a wheel control instead of the conventional stick, which may also have restricted maneuverability. Nevertheless, the P-38 Lightning was effective against bombers and had a sensational zoom climb that could rarely be matched. It wreaked great havoc among the German Air Transport well out to sea, earning for itself the German nickname "der Gabelschwanz Teufel"--the Fork-Tailed Devil.
When the 48th Fighter Squadron arrived in Algeria on 11-15-1942, the Allied armies had landed successfully at Oran and Algiers along the North African coastline. Preparations were being made to move swiftly into Tunisia in order to prevent Germans and Italians from seizing that strategic area. The rapid buildup of Allied air power was an essential ingredient in this eastward thrust and the arrival of the 48th Fighter Squadron at Oran, Algeria, was a part of this buildup. The unit remained at Oran for three days and then was sent to Maison Blanche, Algiers. Maison Blanche was located much closer to the combat area in Tunisia. On the night of arrival, the German Air Force bombed the airfield. Seven P-38s of the 48th Squadron were damaged. The next day, enough Lightnings were available to accompany B-17s of the 97th Bombardment Group in a strike against the El Aouina airdrome at Tunis, where eight enemy aircraft were destroyed. No planes of the 48th Fighter Squadron or the 97th Bombardment Group were lost.
Meanwhile, the need for air units even closer to the Tunisian combat area became apparent, and the Tebessa-Youks les Bains area, located next to the Tunisian frontier, was selected as the most suitable spot for the concentration of Allied air power. C-47 transport planes immediately began to ferry supplies in Youks, which had just been captured by American paratroopers. On 11-22-1942, the 48th Fighter Squadron moved to this advance station in the Tebessa Mountains, and on the same day, the Squadron flew several strafing and escort missions.
Throughout December 1942, the 48th Squadron flew many missions from Youks les Bains. On 12-14-1942, eight P-38s of the squadron took off at 10am, rendezvoused over Thelepte with twelve P-40s, and escorted nine Boston (DB-7s) to Sfax, where the target was a railroad station. Other fighters of the 48th Squadron took off that same day at 2:30pm and provided high cover for nine Bostons in another raid on the railroad station at Sfax. The next day, two P-38s flew over Tunis and Bizerte on a reconnaissance flight; four P-38s escorted three Bostons in a bombing attack on bridges between Gabes and Sfax; and eight P-38s escorted six Bostons on a mission over Pont Du Fahs. Close escort for Bostons was given on 12-16-1942 when six P-38s were sent to Mateur and seven P-38s to Massicault.
On 12-17-1942, eight P-38s were dispatched to Gabes and eight P-38s to an airdrome near Tunis. Escort missions were conducted to Gabes on 12-19-1942 and to Enjidaville on 12-20-1942. Four P-38s of the 48th Squadron made a fighter sweep on Sfax and Sousse on 12-26-1942, and two planes were sent to Sbeitla to cover the movement of a train. Two days later, six planes went on a long-range reconnaissance mission into Tripolitania, which was followed by a similar long-range reconnaissance flight over Tripoli. During December 1942, the Allied advance on the ground was repulsed by the Germans and the race for Tunis resulted in victory to the enemy.
The 48th Fighter Squadron left Youks les Bains for Berteaux, approximately five miles east of Telergma, on 01-09-1943, and operated from the landing grounds around Berteaux until operations were terminated on 01-28-1943. Similar to the type of activity at Youks les Bains was the job at Berteaux, where the Squadron provided escorts for B-25 and B-26 aircraft and flew separate fighter sweeps and made reconnaissance missions.
On 01-28-1943, there was a temporary cessation of the combat activities for the 48th Fighter Squadron. The older pilots of the Squadron, who had fought with the unit since arrival in North Africa, were returned to the United States.
On 02-28-1943, the 48th Squadron moved out of the combat area and returned to Mediouna airdrome, some eighteen miles southeast of Casablanca. There followed a period of rest, recuperation, and training. Pilots were received from the nearby training school at Beerschid and from the 78th Fighter Group in England. The Squadron was brought up to full strength. By the end of April 1943, preparations began for movement back into the combat area. The ground echelon left in several motor convoys for Telergma, the next base of operations; and the air echelon departed on 05-05-1943. When the 48th Fighter Squadron returned to combat service at Telergma, Algeria, the war in Tunisia was over. On 05-07-1943, the British captured Tunis and the Americans seized Bizerte.
Between 05-08-1943 and 06-11-1943 the group took part in the massive aerial bombardment of Pantelleria Island. Pantelleria Island belonged to Italy. The bombardment attack on Pantelleria broke the morale of the defenders and led to the surrender of the island. The garrison surrendered as the landing troops approached.
Pantelleria's capture was regarded as crucial to Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943 as planes based on Pantelleria could readily reach Sicily. In Operation Corkscrew the Allies bombarded Pantelleria heavily from air and sea in the days before the invasion. Pantelleria then became a vital base for Allied aircraft during the assault on Sicily.
During the invasion of Sicily, the long-range P-38s were used on attacks against targets on the Italian mainland. They also attacked the Italian and German Axis evacuation route in mid-August 1943, badly damaging their transport routes.
During November 1943, the 14th Fighter Group's main task was to escort the Italian based strategic bombers as they raided targets across much of southern Europe. During this same time, the Group continued to carry out attacks on German transport links, attacking targets across much of the same area.
On 12-12-1943 the 48th Fighter Squadron was transferred to Triolo Landing Grounds in Italy. Triolo Landing Grounds (Triolo Airfield) was a captured Regia Aeronautica fighter airfield located approximately 8km southeast of San Severo in Apulia, Italy on the north bank of the Triolo River.
During the Battle for Anzio, the German Luftwaffe made a major effort, assembling a much larger bomber force than at any time since the battle of Sicily. The Allies responded with a series of major attacks on Luftwaffe airfields. The 14th Fighter Group took part in one unusual raid on 01-30-1944. The target was the series of airfields around Udine in Austria. Five bomber groups and three fighter groups, including the 14th Fighter Group attacked in the normal way to attract German attention. At the same time the 325th Fighter Group followed the main raid, then got ahead of it and hit the German fighter bases just as their aircraft were taking off. The result was a devastating defeat for the Luftwaffe forces in Austria.
The 14th Fighter Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for defeating a series of German fighter attacks during a raid on a ball-bearing factory in Austria on 04-02-1944.
On 08-17-1944, the 14th Fighter Group took part in Operation Dragoon - the invasion of the South of France - carrying out a heavy attack on German airfields.
On 03-18-1945, Captain Meidinger was assigned a mission to dive-bomb and strafe a target at Varazdin, Yugoslavia (Croatia). Specifically, he was assigned to attack a railroad bridge located near Varazdin.
Captain Meidinger departed Triolo Landing Grounds in Italy flying his assigned P-38 "13 Little Karl". 2nd Lt. John Senter was flying his own plane during this same mission. On 03-18-1945 at 1:13pm, Captain Meidinger's plane was struck by German anti-aircraft fire that caused him and his place to crash near Varazdin. 2nd Lt. Senter witnessed Captain Meidinger's plane be struck by the enemy fire and then crash.
The record of Captain Meidinger's plane crash states "Battle Casualty"- "MIA"- "No search was made".
Captain John Meidinger was reported missing and ultimately declared dead on March 18, 1945. Recorded circumstances attributed to: "MIA"-- Missing in Action or Lost at Sea- Remains not Recovered.
Awards:
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart
AIRCRAFT: P-38L 44-25041
LOCATION: Varazdin, Yugoslavia
REMARKS: Shot down by anti-aircraft fire
Inscription
CAPT 4D8 FTR SQ 14 FTR GP NORTH DAKOTA
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from North Dakota.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
