David Schilling

C ombat 2 9 Nov., 194 3 6 2nd Fighter Squadron 1 4 30 h ours Just South of Oldenburg Visibility fair, 10/10 cloud. FW 190 One FW 190 destroyed. Na rrative: I was leading Woodfire Blue Flight on F.O. #192. We had been with the bombers approximately eight minutes en route to the target from the I/P when two u/ i planes approached from the opposite direction of the Fortress formation. Immediately, flashes from self-destroying ammunition were observed coming from these two planes. At that time I was South of the second box and the two u/ i planes turned southwest and flew beneath us. As they did I identified them as FW 190s. I did a wing-over to the left and started my approach. As I closed slowly I chose the left rear plane as my target. I opened fire from a range of approximately 600 yards and closed in a slight turn to the left to 400 yards with about one-ring deflection. After a second or two of firing I observed strikes on the canopy and fuselage and saw the plane flip over into an uncontrolled spin and go down smoking. The other enemy aircraft did a wing-over to the left. I pulled up to the left and a minute or two later saw an explosion and red fire on the ground beneath the point of combat. After returning to base I learned that my wingman, Lt. Williamson, fired at the same enemy aircraft at the same time I did. One of both of us destroyed the FW 190 in the action described above since I definitely observed strikes and saw the enemy aircraft go down. I, therefore, make my claim contingent on assessment, but in the event confirmation is given this claim and there is any doubt as to whom it should be awarded, Lt. Williamson or myself, I desire it be given to Lt. Williamson. I claim one FW 190 destroyed (contingent on assessment of my film and that of Lt. Williamson's). J. A/C No. 42-7938 Ammo fired: 697 round s API&T I was flying Woodfire Blue Two (Lt. Col. Schilling's wingman) on F.O. #192. Flying on the right side of the bombers we spotted two FW 190s coming away from the rear of one box. As the two enemy aircraft passed under our left wing, Lt. Col. Schilling pealed (sic) down in a steep dive to the left. I crossed over to the inside of the turn and as we closed into the rear of the enemy aircraft they started a shallow turn to the left. I closed to approximately 550 yards and opened fire on the last of the two enemy aircraft. Almost as soon as I opened fire I observed hits on the enemy aircraft and a second later he snapped to the right and went into a spin smoking and on fire. The other enemy aircraft pulled up and did a sharp turn to the left, went into a dive and disappeared into the clouds. FELIX

D. WILLIAMSON, 1 st Lt., Air Corps. I was leading the 62 nd Squadron, Blue Section on Bremen raid, F.O. No. 192. The Squadron was escorting the right side of the bombers enroute to the target when I noticed two single - engine fighters approaching the rear of the first box at the same altitude. The two fighters came down the left side of the bombers crossing between the first and second boxes and both apparently fired at a flight of P-47s on right side as they crossed between the two boxes. I started to attack but Col. Schilling's flight had already launched an attack from a better position, just below my section. Col. Schilling did a 180 o turn left and down closing on the two enemy aircraft who broke left and started a turn left as the Colonel came into effective range. Just as the enemy aircraft started the turn or break, I saw the Colonel fire, getting effective hits on all parts of the enemy aircraft who immediately went into a spin to the right and was smoking. I watched the plane spin several seconds, apparently burning and no attempt to recover by pilot was noted nor was a parachute observed at any time. HORACE

C. CRAIG, Major, Air Corps, 62 nd Fighter Squadron.