Charles Yeager

357th Fighter Group 03/04/1944


ENCOUNTER REPORT

PILOT:  CHARLES E. YEAGER, Flight Officer, Air Corps

 

A.  COMBAT

B.  4 March 1944.

C.  363rd FIGHTER SQUADRON, 357TH FIGHTER GROUP.

D.  1305 B.S.T.

E.  Southeast KASSEL

F.  Towering Cumulus and overcast at 26,000 feet

G.  Me. 109-G

H.  Me. 109 destroyed

I.  ACCOUNT OF COMBAT:  Leading the second element of Chambers White Flight, I was flying at 26,000 feet when I spotted a Me. 109 to the right and behind us about 2,000 feet below.  I broke to the right and down.  The E/A turned right and down and went into a 50o dive.  I closed up fast and opened fire at 200 yards.  Iobserved strikes on fuselage and wing roots, with pieces flying off.  I was overrunning so I pulled up and did an aleron roll and fell in behind again and started shooting at 150 yards.  The E/A engine was smoking and wind-milling.  I overran again, observing strikes on fuselage and canopy.  I pulled up again and did a wingover on his tail.  His canopy flew off and the pilot bailed out and went into the overcast at 9,000 feet.  The E/A had a large Red and Black “Devil’s Head’ on the left side of the ship.  The E/A took no evasive action after the first burst.

I CLAIM A Me. 109 destroyed

J.  AMMUNITION EXPENDED:  461 ROUNDS.50 Cal M.G.

 

CHARLES E. YEAGER,

Flight Officer, Air Corps,

Pilot

 


Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Charles Yeager of the 357th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Charles Yeager's combat experience.

Combat Reports

Charles Yeager's official WW2 combat report of 09/13/1944
Charles Yeager's official WW2 combat report of 10/12/1944
Charles Yeager's official WW2 combat report of 11/06/1944
Charles Yeager's official WW2 combat report of 11/27/1944

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