WWII Pilot Combat Report - Gerald Johnson

Gerald Johnson

56th Fighter Group 10/14/1943

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. 15 6 Captain Gerald W . Johnson Keyworth Blue One

a . Combat b . 1 4th October, 1943 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56 th Group d . 1 335 hours e . Vicinity of Eupen f . CAVU g . FW-190 h . One FW-190 d estroyed i . I was leading Blue Flight in Keyworth Squadron. Ground control told us the bombers were about five minutes late so we orbit t ed and r/v at 1300 hrs. over a solid overcast. About fifty miles inland the overcast cleared completely. As we approached Ans , combats were taking place in the first task force who were on our left. I could see 15 to 20 e/a climbing out in front and to the left of the bombers we were escorting. As we made our last turn to leave the bombers we swept over this area and I saw two FW-190's flying line abreast about 2,000 ft. below me (20,00 0 ft.) I called to attack and started down on the left one. I opened fire at about 200 yds. and he rolled over and started spinning down. I pulled up in a tight left turn and saw him still spinning down. My number four man, Lt. Hamilton, saw the pilot bail out. Since we had already stayed with the bombers 8 minutes longer than we were briefed to, we headed out and reached home base without further incident. I claim one F W -190 d estroyed

GERALD W . JOHNSON, Cap t ain , Air Corps . Armament Report NAME AIRCRAFT AMMUNITION USED Captain Gerald W . Johnson 7877 685 rds .50 cal. AP & I

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

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