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Archive Report: US Forces
1941 - 1945

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via Helpdesk
sebring
14FG/48FS P-38G 42-13371 Lt. Sebring collides with Me 109

Operation: Escort for B-17 bomber formation

Date: 13th January 1944 (Thursday)

Time: 13.15 hours

Unit: 14th Fighter Group/48th Fighter Squadron (15th Air Force)

Type: Lockheed P-38G

Serial No. 42-13371 

Location: N.W Rome, Italy

Pilot: 2nd Lieutenant. Ralph William Sebring D.F.M. Air Medal with 5 O.L.C.  Q-885684 U.S.A.A.F.  Baled-out

REASON FOR LOSS:

(Source: 2nd Lieutenant. William B. Tucker, 48th Fighter Squadron)

“On January 13th, 1944, the 48th Fighter Squadron was escorting B-17’s to the Guidonia Airdrome near Rome, Italy. I was flying formation on Lt. Sebring’s wing. Directly above Rome at 26,000 feet. As we broke and left the squadron formation to attack Me 109’s coming in at apparently 9 o’clock, we chased the enemy aircraft down to 15,000 feet. As we reached the lower altitude I pulled up line abreast with Lt. Sebring. An Me109 came in on us at 7 o’clock and we turned into him. As Lt. Sebring turned he had a mid-air collision with the enemy aircraft shearing off the Me109’s right wing and clipped off his left wing tip. As an enemy aircraft was coming in at me at 3 o’clock and my ammunition expended, I headed S.W for the coast. When last seen Lt. Sebring’s plane was rocking violently and in my opinion was out of control. No parachute was seen to open while the plane was in my sight. The action referred to took place over the North side of Rome at about 15,000 feet.”

Tom Kracker concludes:

“I am relatively certain that Fw (Feldwebel) Helmut Fraass, a 5 victory ace of 3/JG-53, is the German pilot who collided with Lt. Sebring. He was injured but managed to bail from his crippled Me109G-6 Werk No.140041, 15 km N.W of Rome, which coincides with the witness report. It would appear that he was given credit for the victory and went on to claim 4 more victories. It is not known if he survived, however, so far, I have not found any further information which would indicate that he perished.”

Additional notes from the son of Ralph Sebring: 

“After my father was picked-up (captured), he was housed with the German squadron that intercepted them. While being driven to their air field by jeep, he was shown some of the sights in Rome by the two Germans (the coliseum being the most memorable). He was placed, under guard, in the room of the other pilot involved in the collision. From my father’s understanding, the other pilot was an ace.   

He was moved by rail car to Barth, Germany “Luft Stalag 1” until May 13, 1945. My father’s given name: Ralph William Sebring from Industry, Pennsylvania. 

Enlisted with the R.C.A.F. in 1939. First active combat duty was with the R.A.F. Bristol Beaufighters. Transferred to the USAF to fly P-38s.”

               

             Left: Ralph Sebring pictured after graduation in the R.C.A.F. (Sebring) Right: Lt. Sebring now with the U.S.A.A.F. 

                    

             48th Squadron scoreboard, Ralph Sebring is credited with one victory.

Special thanks to Ralph Sebring for the use of his father’s photos and our Tom Kracker, who helped identify the Luftwaffe pilot involved in the incident.  

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Acknowledgments: Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
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