WWII Pilot Combat Report - Frank Klibbe

Frank Klibbe

56th Fighter Group 11/26/1943

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY FIRST FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION F- 365, APO # 637 U.S. ARMY Personal Combat Report VIII F ighter C ommand F.O. No. 191

Flight Officer Frank W. Klibbe Keyworth White Two a . Combat b . 26 November, 1943 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56th Group d . 1225 hrs. e . S.E. of Oldenburg f . CAVU g . M e -109 h . 1 M e -109 destroyed i . My position was Keyworth White 2. I was at about 30,000 ft. after losing Lt. Col. Schilling and tried to reform with one lone P-47 S.E. of r/v point. At this time the P-47 I saw was shooting at an Me-109. He followed it down to about 25,000 ft. and then leveled off. I was still coming toward the P-47 and still intending to join him when the 109 leveled out also. So I dove on down to approximately 21/22,000 ft. after him in a straight dive. When I was about 900 yards from him, he started to turn to the right in front of me. I was closing at a speed of approximately 450 mph. I closed on him, opening fire at about 300 yards and let the Me-109 pass thru my fire. I heard an explosion shortly after the ship went under my wing. Looking back I could see he was on fire and that smoke was pouring from the engine. I watched him spiraling down from approximately 10 to 12,000 ft. still smoking and burning. I then leveled off and was unable to watch him any longer. I claim one Me-109 destroyed.

FRANK W. KLIBBE , Flight Officer, Air Corps . Armament Report NAME AIRCRAFT AMMUNITION USED F/O Frank W. Klibbe 6254 285 rds. .50 cal. AP & I

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

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