I doubt Bodie was referring to max level speeds and full power dives. Isn't there is a significant control response difference between Mach .65 and Mach .74? What were the unnamed reasons Bodie referred to? Could they have included 'power off' and 'mind your max speed' ? Are there combat reports that contradict Bodie?
Possibly - but a P-38 in full chase WEP in level attitude at 25k rolling to follow a 109 split essing is going to accelerate past .62 very rapidly if he does it 'clean'.. which is more reality, than quiet contemplation. So, the comment that it 'can't go into Compressibilty below 25K" just doesn't make much sense (to me)..
As to significant control response between .65 and .74 M? I dunno. I do know that the P-38 wing was in onset drag divergence at .62-.63M with a full blown shock wave developing shortly thereafter. The shock wave would form at about 25% chord and the nose tuck would begin shortly thereafter as the shock wave migrates toward trailing edge of the wing.