WWII Pilot Combat Report - EUGENE ROBERTS

EUGENE ROBERTS

78th Fighter Group 08/17/1943

8 4 TH FIGHTER SQUADRON , 78 TH FIGHTER GROUP U.S. FIELD ORDER NO. 3 8 – RN NO. 106 Combat 17 August 1943

84 th Fighter Squadron 14 15 S/E of Aachen, Germany Visibili ty good – some high cloud ME 110 – ME 210 – ME 109 One ( 1 ) ME 110 destroyed . Narrative: I was leading my squadron, flying as White Leader on bomber penetration mission on 17 August 1943. We met the last box of bombers about 30 miles N/E of Antwerp, and s'd above them into a point approximately 20 miles S/E of Aachen, Germany. We were turning to leave them when bandits were called directly below us. At that time we were about 25,000 feet altitude. I rolled in a diving turn to the left and came in behind a flight of about eight e/a at about 19,000 feet. I picked a ME 110, which was painted white – and closed to about 250 yards. I opened fire, observing hits, and suddenly bright flames exploded from his port engine and his starboard engine began to smoke. I pulled up to the right to cover my wingman, F/O Koontz, and observed th e ME 110 in a steep dive, engine pouring black smoke, and pieces falling. I turned to the left and initiated a diving attack at another formation of four e/a, but they were diving to the deck out of range so I pulled up at 16,000', without firing, used my speed to zoom back to 22,000', and climbed back to the formation at 24,000'. I observed approximately eight a/c, about five of which were painted white. They included ME 110s and ME 210s; and I also saw one ME 109 in the formation. When we first sighted them, they were flying below and parallel to the bombers, climbing. I did not observe any bombers in trouble, or any being attacked. I claim one (1) ME 110 destroyed.

EUGENE P. ROBERTS Major Air Corps

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by EUGENE ROBERTS of the 78th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of EUGENE ROBERTS's combat experience.

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