B.M. WATKINS
78th Fighter Group 05/12/1944
A . Type of Action C ombat B . Date 1 2 May 1944 C . Unit 82nd Fighter Squadron D . Time of Attack 1 2 1 5 hrs . E . Place of Attack Mannheim A rea F . Weather H az y G . Type of Target Fw-190 H . Enemy Casualties One Fw-190 d estroyed . I . Account of Combat: I was leading Surtax Yellow flight and providing escort to a box of B-17s, when they were bounced by 50 plus Fw-190s. I broke after them and finally closed after a 12 or 15 minute chase. I opened fire on a Fw-190 from about 800 yards astern and continued with short bursts until I had closed to about 400 yards. A large piece came off and after more strikes, he jettisoned his canopy and bailed out. He opened his chute immediately and, while coming back, hit my left wing. I brought back part of his chute on my wing tip; my altitude was 10,000 ft. My wingman, Lt. Beck, will confirm this. B.M. WATKINS 1st Lt. , Air Corps .
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by B.M. WATKINS of the 78th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of B.M. WATKINS's combat experience.
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