WWII Pilot Combat Report - Evan McMinn

Evan McMinn

56th Fighter Group 02/22/1944

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY FIRST FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION F- 36 5 , APO 637 U. S. ARMY Encounter Report VIII F ighter C ommand F.O. N o . 2 4 7 F/O Evan D. McMinn Keyworth Spare (White 3)

a . Combat b . 2 2 February, 1944 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56th Fighter Group d . 1 3 1 0 hours e . Lippstadt area f . CAVU with low clouds at 4-6 , 000 ft. g . FW-190 h . 1 FW-190 d estroyed i . I was a spare for Keyworth squadron on February 22, and filled in as White 3 when no. 3 aborted. We saw and engaged about 12 FW-190's who were reforming after making an attack on the bombers. Red flight had already engaged some FW's when we arrived. I saw two e/a positioning for an attack on 2 47's so I went after them. I fired from 30 o to 250 yds dead astern at 25,000 ft. He then rolled over and went straight down. I followed and fired from 50 yds. whenever I could get a bead on him. I followed him down to 9,000 ft. When I was firing at him going straight down, pieces flew off hitting my windscreen, shattering glass which in turn broke my sun glasses. My wing man, Captain Bowlin saw the pilot bail out and I saw the ship hit the ground and blow up. I tried to rejoin some 47's which I thought were the remainder of my squadron but could not catch them so I turned and came out alone. I lost Capt. Bowlin when I pulled up from my dive. I also saw 3 more go down that I am certain were destroyed by red nosed ships but I do not know to whom they are credited. One e/a went down in flames at 12,000, 2 went down in uncontrolled spins at about 16,000 feet. (Keyworth claims in the area are: 1 destroyed by Lt. Col. Gabreski; 2 destroyed by Capt. L.C. Smith; 1 destroyed by Lt. D.F. Smith) I claim one FW-190 destroyed.

j. 75 1 rds .50 cal A.P.I. E VAN D . M CMINN F/O , Air Corps

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Evan McMinn of the 56th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Evan McMinn's combat experience.

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