20th Fighter Group 12/02/1944
ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. COMBAT
B. 2 DECEMBER, 1944
C. 55TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, 20TH FIGHTER GROUP
D. APPROX. 1300 HOURS
E. KOBLENZ – ST. GOAR AREA
F. 10/10 CLOUD COVER
G. 2 ME 109S
H. 2 ME 109S DESTROYED
I.
I WAS FLYING YELLOW 3 IN GROUP LEADER’S SECTION. CONTROLLER CALLED IN “BANDITS S.W. OF TARGET HEADING N”. WE DROPPED OUR TANKS AND STARTED FOR A GAGGLE OF 12 E/A WHICH WE SAW BELOW US. I MADE A TIGHT TURN GETTING ON THE TAIL OF A 109 AND OPENED FIRE FROM 600 FEET. I SAW STRIKES ON FUSELAGE AND WING ROOTS. HE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO SMOKE. I PULLED UP ALONGSIDE TO LOOK AT HIM. I COULD SEE THE COCKPIT CLEARLY, BUT COULD NOT SEE THE PILOT. I THINK HE WAS SLUMPED OVER. (SEE LT. MILIAN’S CONFIRMATION)
I CLAIM ONE (1) ME 109 DESTROYED.
I SAW ANOTHER 109 MAKING A DIVING TURN TO THE RIGHT. I FIRED
A SHORT BURST FROM 800 FEET AND SAW STRIKES ON HIS FUSELAGE. HE DOVE INTO THE CLOUDS. I WATCHED FOR HIM AND HE POPPED OUT AGAIN. CLOSING ON HIM I OPENED FIRE AGAIN. HE STARTED FOR THE CLOUDS, BUT I FOLLOWED HIM IN. I COULD SEE HIS SILHOUETTE IN THE HAZE SO I FIRED A 7-8 SECOND BURST. HE EXPLODED WITH A BIG RED FLASH.
I CLAIM THIS ME 109 DESTROYED.
I CLAIM A TOTAL OF TWO (2) ME 109S DESTROYED
J. SER. NO. OF A/C: 44-15311
A/C MARKINGS : KI-K
AMMO EXPENDED : 730 RDS 50 CAL. API
EUGENE PLANCHAK
2ND LT., A.C.
CONFIRMATION
I WAS FLYING YELLOW 4. I HEARD THE CONTROLLER CALL IN THE E/A. WE DROPPED OUR TANKS AND MADE THE ATTACK. I SAW LT. PLANCHAK GET ON THIS 109’S TAIL. HE OPENED FIRE FROM APPROX. 600 FEET. I SAW STRIKES ALL OVER THE COCKPIT AND FUSELAGE. HE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO SMOKE. HE WENT INTO A GRADUAL TURN TO THE RIGHT. I BELIEVE THE PILOT WAS DEAD.
PAUL J. MILIAN
2ND LT., A.C.
DEAN E. ERLANDSON,
CAPTAIN, AIR CORPS
INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
55TH FIGHTER SQUADRON
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Eugene Planchak of the 20th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Eugene Planchak's combat experience.
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