20th Fighter Group 08/16/1944
ENCOUNTER REPORT.
LT COL. CY WILSON.
a. Combat
b. 16 August 1944
c. 20th Fighter Group,
d. 0945
e. Vicinity of Eisenach.
f. Clear
g. FW 190 and ME 109.
h. 1 FW 190 destroyed and 1 ME 109 destroyed.
i.
While providing escort for the heavy bombers on August 16, 1944 in the vicinity of Eisenach I observed a gaggle of approximately thirty five mixed Me 109s and FW 190s approaching from two o’clock and slightly lower. I turned right and came in on the tail of the formation which had then started a gradual turn to the left. I opened fire from about 250 yds at about twenty degrees deflection on the last man on the right of the formation. I fired about a three second burst and observed strikes on both wings. The 190 started a steeper turn whereupon I ceased firing and cut across the turn to get in closer. I then observed the canopy come off the ship after which the pilot bailed out. His chute opened slightly behind and under my right wing. I was still close in on the entire enemy formation so I turned back to the left and picked up the left rear man and fired a short burst from almost dead astern. The first burst damaged his coolant radiators and he then broke left out of the formation. I followed at about two hundred yards and fired two or three more short bursts observing strikes on the tail and on the canopy which immediately came off and the pilot bailed out of the left side of the ship. I turned back toward the main formation and as I turned I saw the second chute about eight hundred feet below me.
Claim: 1 FW 190 destroyed.
1 ME 109 destroyed.
j. Ser. No. of A/C - 44-13951
A/C Marking: KI-W
Ammunition Expended: 1534 rds. 50 cal.
CY WILSON
Lt Col., Air Corps.
CONFIRMATION
I was flying White Three at 24,000 feet. White Leader made a 90 degree port turn and came in line astern of approximately 35 190’s and 109’s mixed which were headed for the bombers. He opened fire about 600 yards on rear E/A. I saw many strikes and the pilot bailed out. Another E/A broke off to left and down and White Leader followed scoring many strikes on this E/A which went into a slow spiral smoking as the pilot bailed out.
CLAUDE G. HORNE,
1ST Lt., Air Corps,
77th Fighter Squadron,
20th Fighter Group.
EDWARD J. STEINER,
Captain, Air Corps,
Group Intelligence Officer.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Cy Wilson of the 20th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Cy Wilson's combat experience.
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