4th Fighter Group 02/22/1944
HEADQUARTERS
FOURTH FIGHTER GROUP
A.P.O. 637, U. S. ARMY
PILOTS PERSONAL COMBAT REPORT
VIII Fighter Command F.O. 247
A. Combat
B. 22 February, 1944
C. 335th Fighter Squadron
D. 1517 hours
E. Erkelenz
F. 3-4/10 cumulus at 3–4000 feet
G. FW-190
H. One FW-190 Destroyed
I. I was leading Greenbelt Blue Section on a withdrawal support
mission to heavy bombers. A few minutes after R/V the number three
man in the section reported a B-17 in trouble. This A/C was flying
in a South Westerly direction at about 8000 feet. I immediately
started down to investigate. About this time one parachute came out
of the B-17. Then my wing man reported two bandits approaching to
attack this crippled A/C. Since I was unable to see them at first I
told him to attack and I would cover him. Then I saw them and went
down.
Picking out an FW-190, I maneuvered into position and opened fire
at about 300 yards. As soon as my tracers began passing the E/A he
broke c uite violently but not sufficiently enough to get away. We did
a couple orbits and every few seconds I was able to draw deflection and get a few strikes on the wings and in the cockpit area.
Finally the E/A straightened out and went into a gentle dive. At
about 1000 feet or less I saw many pieces fly off his fuselage. It was
apparent to me that he was going into the ground so I broke off the attack at 4-500 feet. I pulled off to the right and then cocked my wing back to the left just in time to see him crash. When he hit there was a gigantic orange flash and then burning pieces could be seen strung out beyond him for several hundred feet. The pilot did not get out.
A/C Used: P-47C 2RE 41-6226
Ammunition Used: 600 rnds 50 Cal. API & T
GEORGE CARPENTER,
Major, Air Corps
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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