356th Fighter Group 11/26/1944
356th FIGHTER GROUP
AAF Station 369, APO 557
28 November 1944.
PERSONAL COMBAT REPORT
Eighth Air Force F.O. 564A
DONALD A. BACCUS, Lt. Col., ASN 0406504 LAMPSHADE 23
a. Combat.
b. 26 November 1944.
c. 356th Fighter Group (flying with 360th Fighter Squadron).
d. 1115 to 1130 hours.
e. Dummer Lake area.
f. 3/10 Low cumulus, base 8000 feet, top 9000 feet,
g. Two Me 109’s
h. DESTROYED.
i. I was Lampshade Group leader on a Ramrod to Paderborn. We had made R/V and were escorting our assigned C/W’s of bombers. We were at 9 o’clock to them and proceeding on course when MEW reported bandits to the south of B/F. Chinwag leader called in bandits at 3 o’clock and I swung over and saw a gaggle of 25 Me 109’s pass under us at 20,000 – 3000 feet below us. I made a sharp diving turn to the left and saw the E/A dropping tanks as we got on their tails. I picked the last man in the gaggle. Opening fire from 400 yards, I gave him a 3-second burst and saw pieces fly off. In short order this E/A rolled over and the pilot bailed out. I turned sharply to the right, picked up two Me 109’s, and as I attacked from the rear these E/A broke from 19,000, one to the left and the other to the right and down. I tagged the one turning to the right and broke with him. Positioning myself dead astern, I gave him a short burst from 250-300 yards. I scored many hits and followed him as he broke again in a steep right turn. I scored more hits with two short bursts. This time he rolled and I followed, scoring hits on the cockpit with 40 degree deflection. This last burst probably killed the pilot, as the E/A rolled completely and went down in a spiral, blowing up as it hit the ground. At this point I realized I was alone, so I climbed back up to bomber level and continued escort.
I claim two Me 109’s destroyed.
Rounds fired: 1470 API.
STATEMENT ON K-14 GUNSIGHT:
I used the K-14 gunsight for the first time in aerial combat on this mission. It worked magnificently. It is so much superior to the old type reflector sight that there is no comparison. I checked the needle and ball frequently. However, I believe I was well off on my range estimation. Still I scored many hits. I attribute my second kill – scored with a 40 degree deflection shot – to the efficiency of the sight.
DONALD A. BACCUS
Lt. Col., Air Corps
Commanding
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Donald Baccus of the 356th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Donald Baccus's combat experience.
Donald Baccus: Personnel File
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