GEORGE MERRITT
361ST FIGHTER GROUP 02/22/1944
B. 22 FEB 1944
C. 3 75 TH FIGHTER SQUADRON , 361ST FIGHTER GROUP
D. 1 22 5
E. 8 MILES N.E. TILBURG
F. TWO TENTHS VISIBILITY AIR TO AIR GOOD, AIR TO GROUND GOOD
G. FW-190 YELLOW CROSSES, FUSELAGE DRAB ON TOP, WHITISH BLUE UNDERNEATH.
H. 1 FW-190 DEST ROYED
I. FLYING WABASH BLUE 3 AFTER BREAKING OFF AT 10,000 FEET FROM PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENT OBSERVED FLIGHT OF FOUR IN GOOD FORMATION IN CLIMBING RIGHT TURN SLIGHTLY BELOW. IN TURNING I SUCCEEDED IN GETTING ON TAIL OF FORMATION WITH A ¾ TURN. THE REAR ELEMENT FELL AWAY AND THE LEADING ELEMENT PULLED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. TURNING WITH THE LEADER I SUCCEEDED IN POSITIONING MYSELF ON HIS TAIL. OPENED FIRE WITHIN 300 YDS AT 45 O DE FLECTION AS HE WAS TRYING TO OUTTURN ME. CLOSED TO WITHIN 100 YDS 25 O DEFLECTION AT 8,000 FEET SPEED NOT IN EXCESS OF E/A AND OBSERVED 15 TO 20 STRIKES INTO THE COCKPIT AND TOP OF WINGS, WITH SMOKE APPEARING. THE E/A TURNED OVER AND SPUN INTO THE GROUND. CLIMBED TO 22,000 FEET AFTER OBSERVING THE CRASH. I CLAIM THIS FW-190 DESTROYED. J. CONTINUOUS FIRING OF APPROXIMATELY 600 ROUNDS.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by GEORGE MERRITT of the 361ST FIGHTER GROUP. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of GEORGE MERRITT's combat experience.
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