Wiki has a good explanation under the P-38 Operational History European Theater:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_P-38_Lightning#Operational_history
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?