Clayton Peterson
55th Fighter Group 04/16/1945
PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat.
B. 16 April 1945.
C. 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
D. 1600 Hours.
E. Autobahn north of Munich/Brunnthal A/D.
F. CAVU.
G. U/I T/E.
H. One U/I T/E destroyed (Ground).
I. I was leading Yellow Section of Hellcat Squadron on 16 April 1945. Parts of the Squadron had made a pass over 2 different airdromes when Hellcat Leader called out that he had found some ships on an autobahn between Munich/Brunnthal A/D and Munich/NeuBiberg A/D. Yellow section was slightly behind White Section and by the time we got to the area I noticed 3 to 5 fires going. Yellow Flight got into the pattern while Blue Flight stayed on top for cover. Flying over the area I spotted what looked like two ships located on either side of a monument. But as I would come in on a pass I could not locate them as they were well concealed in the woods by branches of trees.
I had made 2 non-firing passes when my wing man called and told me he could locate them. I told him to take over and we went in again. His pass started a ship smoking so I started to fire directly to the right of his E/A where I knew the other enemy ship was located (24, see illustration 2) (This ship could only be seen while passing directly overhead). As I finished firing a 3 second burst, I made a sharp low turn to the left to observe the results and saw 2 columns of smoke from this spot. By the time I could complete another pass, a P-51 had made hits on another ship 100 feet to the left of my ship. I did not fire on this last pass.
Not seeing any more ships in this area, I started a pass over Munich/NeuBiberg A/D, but was driven off by very intense flak.
From the above action, I claim one U/I T/E ship destroyed.
J. Ammunition Expended – 200 Rounds.
CLAYTON L. PETERSON, O-425043,
Major, Air Corps.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Clayton Peterson of the 55th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Clayton Peterson's combat experience.
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