Allen Bunte

4th Fighter Group 03/29/1944


HEADQUARTERS

FOURTH FIGHTER GROUP

A.P.O. 637 U.S. ARMY

 

Pilot’s Personal Combat Report

VIII Fighter Command F.O. 284

 

  1. Combat
  2. 29 Mar 1944
  3. 334 Fighter Squadron
  4. 1450 hours
  5. Magdeburg area
  6. 4-5/10ths, base 3,000 ft., tops 6-10,000 ft.
  7. FW 190
  8. FW 190 Destroyed.
  9. Narrative:

            I was flying Pectin White 3 as we were approaching the bombers. Just before R/V, a large gaggle of Huns were seen also coming in toward the bombers. Our squadron was approximately 2,000 feet above the e/a as we started the bounce. Due to there being a P-51 on the tail of practically every Hun, I couldn’t immediately find a target, so I dove for the deck, got under the approximate battle area, and waited.

 

            I saw four FW 190s break cloud in a steep dive. Unfortunately, I was meeting them nearly head-on and by the time I had turned, they had disappeared. I then noticed  my wingman was not with me, so I went down to tree-tops, and started a large port turn. After about 5-10 minutes, I noticed a group of a/c flying due east, and in my direction. Taking what advantage I could, of trees, hills, and buildings, for hiding, I made a large circle and came in behind what I was now certain were Huns. There were eleven of them flying very good formation, at about 800 feet.

 

            I was then several miles behind and it took me about ten minutes, balls-out flying, to get in range. As I began to close noticeably, I throttled back to what I thought was a small closing speed, adjusted my trim, estimated my range, picked my Hun, and waited until I was about 150 yards away, still about 500 feet below and unnoticed by anyone, eased back gently on the stick until I was directly behind him. Fired about a three-second burst and broke violently for home – full bore. From the time I pushed the button, I saw a profusion of strikes on wing-roots and fuselage, and just as I broke I saw a small trickle of smoke coming from under his fuselage. As I finished my break, I looked back and saw e/a in a glide with flames streaming back from the fuselage.

 

            I claim one FW 190 destroyed and a hell of a lot of intrepidity.

 

J.       Ammunition: 1260 rounds fired; 3 seconds combat; remainder gun test.

 

Allen F. Bunte

1st Lt., Air Corps.

 

 

 

 


Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Allen Bunte of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Allen Bunte's combat experience.


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