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Skulls at Causeway

P-40s of the 85th FS at Causeway Landing Ground in Tunisia, early 1943.

In the foreground is Lt. Charles Bolack's 'X15' followed by Lt. Sammy Say's 'X21'
and 'X32' which may have been flown Lt. Frank Johnson. More info on 'X32', from Mark Joyce:

"This photograph was probably taken prior to 25 March '43, for it's likely that Lt. Franklin T. Johnson
was at the controls of X32 that day when he was shot down during a strafing mission near Gabes, Tunisia,
becoming a POW. A replacement X32 doesn't appear on the 85th FS records for perhaps another two
weeks when Lt. William Abbott, returning to the squadron after recuperating from an injury suffered
in January, likely took it as his assigned airplane named 'Cookie'."


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

'X15'

Another view of Lt. Bolack's 'X15', which looks to have been P-40F 41-14512 or possibly 41-14513.
That may be SSgt. George Lux, an electrician with the 85th, perched on the cockpit sill.

There are some markings discrepencies between the ship shown here and that in the above photo,
most significant being the lack of a yellow surround on the fuselage roundel in this second
photo, so it's possible we're seeing two different ships here. Mark Joyce again:

"On 22 March 1943, Lt. Bolack was hit by anti-aircraft fire during a bomber escort mission over
Gabes, Tunisia, and safely crash-landed his P-40F, X15. He was flying this, or a replacement, X15
when he claimed a Me-109 probably destroyed on 21 April '43 and also again when he claimed
a MC-202 destroyed on 8 June '43; this latter claim might have been over 53 Stormi."


Project 914 Archives (Same photo appears elsewhere, credited to George A. Lux, Jr.) - Larger Image

Lt. Charles 'Kim' Bolack, leaning against the rudder of 'X15' which is
adorned with one of 85th FS armorer Sgt. Joe Pumphrey's lovely ladies.


From: 'GEAR UP!' by Jon A. Maguire - Larger Image

Five G.I.s and a Skulls Hawk

I have no info for this photo other than it may have been taken by a member of the 316th FS
while that outfit was attached to the 79th Fighter Group from March to May of 1943.


Original image posted by D. Patteson on Facebook - Larger Image

The Stump Jumper

The Skull's CO, Major Jacob F. 'Fred' Schoellkopf, flew 'The Stump Jumper'.
You can see part of his personal photo album HERE...


From: 'The P-40 Kittyhawk' by Ernest R. McDowell (R.M. Hoffman) - Larger Image

The Tennessean

A group of Skulls with Lt. William Ryburn's 'X33', 'The Tennessean'. I do not currently know
all of who's who but, based on the photo below, I believe that's Lt. Ryburn on the far right.


From: 'GEAR UP!' by Jon A. Maguire - Larger Image

Lt. Ryburn with 'The Tennessean'.


From: Jacob Schoellkopf photo album, via Mark Joyce - Larger Image

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