55th Fighter Group 04/10/1945
PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
Combined Encounter Report of Lts. Cunnick and Best (Hellcat Yellow 3 and Hellcat Yellow 4).
A. Combat.
B. 10 April 1945.
C. 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
D. 1545.
E. Western side of autobahn, 1 mile northwest of Wesendorf A/D.
F. CAVU on deck.
G. 6 He 111’s and 1 Me 109.
H. 3 He 111’s destroyed, 1 Me 109 destroyed and 3 He 111’s damaged - Shared by Lt. Cunnick and Lt. Best.
S T A T E M E N T
2nd Lt. Donald J. Best, O-516554, who shares the above claims with Lt. Cunnick, became MIA in a subsequent mission after he had filed his claims but before he had an opportunity to write an encounter report. Lt. Cunnick therefore submits the narrative below in behalf of both pilots.
ANDREW C. BOYD, JR.,
Captain, Air Corps,
Intelligence Officer.
I. I was flying Hellcat Yellow 3 when Hellcat Yellow Section spotted E/A dispersed on Wesendorf A/D. Our flight orbitted to the left; then the first element went in on several planes parked in the hangar area at the northern end of the field. Meantime my wingman and I observed a group of E/A, 7 or 8, parked in a dispersal about 1 mile northwest of the A/D. Setting up a pattern generally from northwest to southeast, we made 4 passes in all – scoring many strikes on 7 aircraft (1 to 7 on diagram). As my wingman circled the area, I made 2 more passes on another Me 109 (Z) and observed strikes – but since this already seemed to have been damaged by a prior attack I make no claim. I also gave a 1938 Ford auto (W) parked on the road near the 109 a good burst, causing considerable damage.
None of the E/A attacked exploded, but 4, 5, 6 and 7 (3 He 111’s and an Me 109 respectively) started to burn slowly as if only oil had been left in them. When I completed my last pass and we were leaving the area we both saw four good fires going from these 4 E/A and some smoke rising from Z. Since it was impossible to determine the extent of damage caused by our individual passes, Lt. Best and I decided to make all claims jointly. I therefore claim (to be shared equally with Lt. Best) 4, 5, 6, and 7 destroyed and 1, 2, and 3 damaged.
J. Ammunition Expended:
1st Lt. John W. Cunnick – 630 Rounds.
2nd Lt. Donald J. Best – 800 Rounds.
JOHN W. CUNNICK, O-832353,
1st Lieut., Air Corps.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Donald Best John Cunnick of the 55th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Donald Best John Cunnick's combat experience.
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