David Schilling

56th Fighter Group 01/29/1944

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY-SECOND FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION #365 A.P.O. 637 U.S. ARMY

C ombat 2 9 Jan., 1944 6 2n d Fighter Squadron Approx . 1 145 hours Vicinity Bonn Solid overcast 2,000' – clear above. ME 109 ME 109 claimed destroyed Na rrative: I was leading Woodfire White Flight when we rendezvoused with a combat wing of bombers in the vicinity of Bierz e t . Knowing that this was not part of our Task Force, I proceeded on course in search of our bomber formation. At rendezvous time, I turned north to look for them there for they could not be seen to the south. At a point approximately fifteen miles south of Bonn, I sighted an ME 109 flying northwest, at 25,000', with one wheel down. Attacking him from dead astern, at his level, I opened fire at 200 yards and saw a heavy concentration of strikes all over the e/a. As he started to pull up to the right, I fired again from 125/150 yards. Again there were strikes all over the wings and fuselage and an unusually heavy concentration around the canopy and engine. The Jerry fell off to the left, burning badly, his canopy was shot off or jettisoned, and he went into a straight dive, trailing smoke and flame about fifty feet behind him all the way. He was last observed going straight into the clouds at 6,000'. I claim one ME 109 destroyed. J. A /C No. 42- 75237 Ammo fired - 561 round s AP & I

DAVID C. SCHILLING, O-393204 Lt. Col. , Air Corps . I was flying White Two and we were going north toward the bombers when we spotted an ME 109 to our right and at our level. As we attacked, with White Leader firing, I saw many strikes on the fuselage, there was big red flash and pieces started flying off the e/a. The Jerry then peeled off to the left and went straight down, burning and smoking. I saw him last at about 20,000' and he was still going straight down in flames. JACK E. GREENE, 2 nd Lt., Air Corps. I was leading the second element of White Flight and saw White Leader make his attack on an ME 109. There were strikes all over the e/a and he rolled over and went straight down. I followed him visually to about 14/15,000' and he was still in a steep dive, burning and smoking badly. MICHAEL J. QUIRK, 1 st Lt., Air Corps.

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by David Schilling of the 56th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of David Schilling's combat experience.

David Schilling

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