4th Fighter Group 04/13/1944
HEADQUARTERS
FOURTH FIGHTER GROUP
A.P.O. 637, U. S. ARMY
PILOTS PERSONAL COMBAT REPORT
VIII Fighter Command F.O. 298
A. Combat
B. 13 April, 1944
C. 335th Fighter Squadron
D. 1350 hours
E. Twenty miles Southwest of Schweinfurt, Germany
F. 6-8/10 Cumulus at 4 – 25,000 feet
G. FW-190
H. One FW-190 Destroyed
I. I was leading Greenbelt Squadron on a bomber support mission to
Schweinfurt.
Just before R/V, while flying SW of the target, the group
encountered about 20-25 E/A in good tight formation, preparing to
intercept the bombers who were approaching from the SW. The group engaged at once and combats ensued down to the deck. I was unable to get a shot at any of these during this first attack. But thinking that the Huns would hit the deck and go home, I went down under the cloud which happened to be about 10/10 in this area and stooged about looking for some.
Pretty soon I saw one off to my left and we turned toward each
other for a head-on attack. I got my burst in first apparently and hit
him in his engine and right wing. I boke then to avoid his fire and
when I saw him again he was smoking considerably. Later he stopped
smoking though. I went after him again and we got in a tight circle for
a few minutes. The E/A could not turn with me without losing altitude
though and eventually I got on him.
I laid off about a 10°- 15° deflection shot and got good strikes
in the wings and fuselage. Then the FW-190 went down, rolled on his
back from about 2-300 feet and went straight into the deck. I claim
this FW-190 destroyed. I then climbed back to 23,000 feet, and joined
the bombers. The balance of the journey was uneventful.
A/C Used: P-51B 7NA 43-6841
Ammunition Used: 110 rnds. 50 Cal. API & T
GEORGE CARPENTER,
Major, Air Corps,
Pilot.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by George Carpenter of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of George Carpenter's combat experience.
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