[fso301]

Wiki has a good explanation under the P-38 Operational History European Theater:

Thanks.

From the Wiki:

American fuel supplies contributed to a better engine performance and maintenance record

I've read this many times that the p-38's Allisons were designed for American aviation fuel which had different characteristics including higher octane that the aviation gas in the European Theater.

If inferior aviation gas was the p-38's nemesis in Europe, I've never understood why no one raised holy hell about it?

[Rebelbase]

The gas issue was more of problem for the Axis with the few P-38’s they captured.

I get from the article that the P-38 was inferior at low altitudes compared to it’s German adversaries.