Duane Beeson
4th Fighter Group 01/14/1944
HEADQUARTERS
FOURTH FIGHTER GROUP
A.P.O. 637 U.S. ARMY
PILOTS PERSONAL COMBAT REPORT
VIII Fighter Command F.O. NO 217
A. Combat
B. 14 Jan 44
C. 334 Fighter Squadron
D. 1520-1525 hours
E. Soissons area
F. Low slight haze. Visibility good.
G. FW 190
H. 1 FW 190 Destroyed.
I. I was flying Green 1 position in Pectin Squadron at about 28,000 feet when we saw ten or twelve FW 190s about eight thousand feet (8,000 ft.) below us diving inland. The Squadron immediately dived, giving chase and finally caught them at 6,000 feet. I picked one of the last four who were flying somewhat line abreast and opened fire at 250 yards range. I had about 100 m.p.h closing speed and rapidly closed to about 50 yards when I broke over him and pulled up into the sun. While firing I saw very severe strikes and large flashes in the wing roots and fuselage, then as I overshot him, I observed a large hole in his cockpit hood. The aircraft fell off into a dive, turned over on the way down, and exploded as it hit the ground. Claim - 1 FW 190 Destroyed.
Ammunition
388 rounds A.P.I.
D W. Beeson,
1st Lt., Air Corps
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Duane Beeson of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Duane Beeson's combat experience.
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