HEADQUARTERS 355TH FIGHTER GROUP A . P . O . 637, U.S. ARMY Pilot's P ersonal E ncounter R eport A . Combat B . 1 3 April , 194 4 C . 3 5 7 t h F i gh t e r Sq uadron D . 1 420; 1515 E . Augsburg area and Crailsheim airdrome F . 3 /10's cumulus , 6,000 to 8,000 feet G . M e 109 's; Me 323's; Me 110 H . 1 M e 109 destroyed ; 1 Me 109 probably destroyed; 1 Me 1 0 9 d amaged —all in air. 1 Me 323 destroyed (on ground) shared with Capt. Kerch and Lt. Norman; 1 Me 110 destroyed on ground, shared with Lt. Norman and Lt. De Mers.
I . ACCOUNT OF COMBAT: I was lead ing Blowball Squadron. As we approached the target area, I observed 14 Me 109's climbing in spread Vic formation directly to my left and 3,000 to 4,000 feet below. I dispatched two flights to attack this formation. While furnishing cover for this bouncing section with the lead flight, I saw six of these Me 109's break formation, and the bouncing section attacked these E/A. I continued to orbit above the remaining 8 Me 109's, climbing gradually as they did the same, waiting for the second section to join me, but as this was not feasible, my flight bounced the enemy in an abreast formation to the left, with me picking the first E/A on the right. I opened with a burst at 600 yards and observed no hits. However, after closing to about 250 yards, I fired another burst and observed hits on this Me 109 which immediately veered to the left, and I passed directly over it. I claim 1 Me 109 probably destroyed, supported by a statement of Lt. Robert L. Norman. Immediately I opened fire on the second Me 109 at from 200 to 300 yards and observed hits and explosions in the wings. This E/A also veered to the left very sharply and exploded shortly thereafter. I claim 1 Me 109 destroyed as a result of this second encounter. I immediately attacked a third Me 109 and got in two good bursts and saw strikes, but it was impossible to finish the attack because I had to break left, due to an E/A closing on my tail. I claim 1 Me 109 damaged. I re-formed the Squadron and tried to locate, without success, the rest of the group, for which I was supposed to furnish top cover . I patrolled the target area and saw 3 boxes of B-17's heading for Augsburg without escort. We stayed with these bombers until they bombed the target, and observed excellent results. We then headed home at 300 degrees and at 10,000 feet. Shortly thereafter, Capt. Kerch called in an airdrome, which we later identified as Crailsheim. We strafed the airdrome from east to west, and in this attack, I first spotted four Me 323's in the southeast corner of the field. I picked out the first of these E/A's and concentrated my fire on it, observing hits all over the plane. This plane was also attacked by Capt. Kerch and Lt. Norman, and Capt. Kerch saw it on fire as he passed over it. I claim 1 Me 323 destroyed, shared with Capt. Kerch and Lt. Norman. Proceeding on over this field, I attacked an Me 110 in the west corner of the field, and hit this aircraft with a very heavy burst of fire. Lt. Norman and Lt. De Mers also hit this plane, and Capt Kerch, who was following up and preparing to attack the Me 110, saw it catch on fire as he approached it. I claim 1 M e 1 1 0 destroyed , shared with Lt. Norman and Lt . De Mers. The Squadron then re-formed and came home.
1. EDWARD W. SZANI AWSKI , Major , A ir C orps . Statement of 1st Lt. Robert L. Norman I was flying Blowball Red 2 at about 20,000 feet. We bounced 8 Me 109's. I saw Red Leader, Major Szaniawski, open fire at 600 to 800 yards, observing no strikes at this range, but as he closed, he fired again and I observed many strikes on the fuselage and the E/A did a lazy roll to the left and down. From the strikes on the E/A and the action it took, I think th is E/A was probably destroyed. I then saw Major Szaniawski open fire on a second Me 109 that veered left and broke into flames. ROBERT L. NORMAN , 1st Lt., Air Corps. Statement of Captain Joseph F. Kerch After bouncing the Me 109's near Augsburg, the Squadron re-formed and attacked the airdrome at Crailsheim. We made an attack from the south, making a 90 degree turn and strafing the airdrome from east to west. Major Szaniawski, Lt. Norman and I concentrated ou r fire on the 1st of 4 Me 323's grouped in the southeast corner of the field. This A/C burst into flames from our fire, and as I pulled up, it was burning furiously. At the west end of the field, I observed Major Szaniawski and Lt. Norman firing at an Me 110. As I approached it, ready toopen fire on it, the Me 110 burst into flames, so I held my fire and pulled over the flaming plane. I claim 1 Me 323 destroyed (shared with Major Szaniawski and Lt. Norman). JOSEPH F. KERCH, Captain, Air Corps. 2.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by EDWARD SZANIAWSKI of the 355th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of EDWARD SZANIAWSKI's combat experience.
