Duane Beeson

4th Fighter Group 02/20/1944


HEADQUARTERS

FOURTH FIGHTER GROUP

A.P.O. 637     U.S. ARMY

PILOTS PERSONAL COMBAT REPORT

VIII Fighter Command F.O. 245

 

A. Combat

B.  20 Feb 44

C.  334 Fighter Squadron

D.  Approx. 1500 hours

E.  Aachen area

F.  10/10ths cloud at 5,000 ft.  Clear above.

G.  FW 190

H.  FW 190 Destroyed

I.  I was flying as Pectin Green Leader as we circled above the Forts and we sighted about four aircraft coming in at 5 o'clock to the bombers, and slightly below them.  Pectin Blue and White Sections started down and Green Section fell in behind them; then I sighted two more aircraft – FW 190s – at about seven o’clock below the bombers, so went after these two.  They were about 5,000 feet directly below, and as we circled around to come in on their tail, they both began to go around in a circle and we ended up with Green Section coming at them straight down from above.  I pulled up about 2,000 feet above and tried to get on their tail again, but they kept themselves directly below, and we again finished going straight down.  After another attempt I finally managed to get around behind them as another P-47 came in and they started to dive away, still flying line astern.  The other P-47 was nearer than I and closing fast, so I waited for him to get the last one so I might take the leader.  He overshot and they whipped around in a starboard turn, so I closed in on the No. 2 who began to climb as his leader dived for the cloud.  I opened fire at about 300 yards range, closing to 100 yards and got very good strikes around his fuselage and on his wings.  As I overshot him he pulled straight up and jettisoned his cockpit hood, then bailed out.  At this time many other P-47s arrived, including Capt. Goodson who also observed the 190 pilot bail out.  I took a picture of the parachute with my cine-camera, then joined the other P-47s and our sections formed up to come out.

 

Ammunition:  507 rounds fired

 

D W. Beeson,

Captain, 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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