Daniel Leftwich

364th Fighter Group 12/27/1944

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ENCOUNTER REPORT

Lt Daniel L. Leftwich

A.  Combat

B.  27 December 1944

C.  384 th Ftr Sq - 364th Ftr Gp

D.  1110 to 1130

E.  10-15 miles west of Koblenz

F.  CAVU

G.  FW-190

H.  2 FW-190’s destroyed

I.  I was No 2 man in Lt Duderstadt’s Yellow flight.  We were in a double luftberry with 20 plus e/a.  One broke out and my flight leader chased him and I was still flying Lt Duderstadt’s wing.  There must have been 15 FW-190’s chasing us, but Lt Duderstadt shot one down and then broke left.  I broke right and there were still about four on my tail firing at me.  When I was about 800 ft off the ground, I saw 5 or 6 e/a in front of me going in all directions.  I singled one out and gave him a 2 second burst from 200 yds or so.  There were hits on the wing and tail.  The pilot seemed excited and the FW-190 flipped over on its back and went straight down.  I last saw him when he was about 500 ft below me, almost on the ground.  It was impossible for him to pull out at that altitude.  I didn’t spend time taking pictures as I was more interested in getting the e/a off my tail, because they were still firing.  I pushed everything forward and turned and went back down toward the deck.  I outran them and must have lost them in the valleys.

There was an U/I plane on my left which I broke into and found it was a P-51 piloted by Lt Porter, Blue 3 from our Sq.  We joined up and he flew my wing.  We also picked up Lt Bloodgood of the 385th Sq.

About one minute later I spotted an FW-190 on the deck, so we went after him.  After making two circles, I gave him several short bursts from about 100 yds.  There were strikes on the wings and canopy.  Flames were coming out of the cockpit as it hit the ground and exploded.  I took some pictures of it, for the two P-51’s were still with me.

I claim 2 FW-190s destroyed.

J.  Ser No of A/C:  44-13722          Ammo Exp:  900 rds cal 50

A/C Marking:  5Y-G

 

LEON B. SITTENFELD                                       DANIEL L. LEFTWICH, O-666403

1st Lt, Air Corps                                                 1st Lt, Air Corps

Asst Intelligence Officer                                                364th Ftr Gp

I fired at the second FW-190 as it was going in and took

 

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Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Daniel Leftwich of the 364th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Daniel Leftwich's combat experience.

See More

Daniel Leftwich: Personnel File

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  364th Fighter Group