David Howe
4th Fighter Group 02/21/1944
B. 21 Feb 44
C. 334 Fighter Squadron
D. 1340-1342 hours
E. South of Dummer Lake
F. 8/10ths overcast 8/10,000 feet cumulus
G. FW 190
H. 1 FW 190 Destroyed
I. A B-47 cut me away from my No. 3 man in a steep diving turn; when I was finally able to follow, they were too far ahead. I saw the FW 190 coming head-on about 4,000 feet away, below me. About 5 P-47s were making attacks but were overshooting. I did a left diving turn, trying to position myself. Finally the 190 bent the rest and thinking himself clear, pulled right up in front of me. I started firing at probably 250-300 yards and continued to very close range. He pulled his turn up till strikes entered the cockpit area and then slackened the turn. The engine started smoking and fire broke out on top of the engine cowling. Glass was smashed from the cockpit and poured out here also. After breaking off, I saw him turn over and go down in an inverted diving turn or spin smoking, the cockpit cowling came off and pieces were flying off all in time I would him. I also saw what appeared to be engine cowling flying off while he was falling. His engine was dead, I tried to wind some one to form on but all the ones I did see, were going too fast for my limited supply of gas. So as they climbed, I attached this FW 190 at approximately 14,000 feet, and at an estimated 350 m.p.h. indicated.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by David Howe of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of David Howe's combat experience.
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