WWII Pilot Combat Report - Gerald Johnson

Gerald Johnson

56th Fighter Group 03/02/1944

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY T HIRD FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION F- 365 , APO #637 U.S. ARMY Personal Combat Report VIII Fighter Command F.O. No. 168

Major Gerald W. Johnson a . Combat b . 2 March 1944 c . 6 3rd Fighter Squadron , 56 th Fighter Group d . 1320 e . 6 miles S.E. of Aachen f . 8/10 up to 14,000 feet g . Me 109 h . 1 Me 109 D estroyed i . I was leading Northgrove Squadron in B Group. We made r/v with the B-24s 10 miles S.E. of Koln and were sweeping over the rear box toward the front when I saw a single Me 109 at about 15,000 feet in a slight dive. I immediately started down on him opening fire at 300 yards and closing to 100 yards. There were strikes on the canopy and forward fuselage, then the canopy came off and the pilot bailed out. As I pulled up, there was a parachute open below me. We then pulled back up to the bombers and completed the mission without further incident. Upon returning to base, a piece of shattered plexiglass was f o und that had penetrated the leading edge of my right wing. I claim o ne Me 109 d estroyed .

j. A.C. No. 42-76249 410 rds 50 cal API GERALD W. JOHNSON, Major , Air Corps . SUPPORTING STATEMENT I was flying Northgrove White 3 in Major Johnson's flight. Shortly after r/v with the bombers we went down to attack an Me 109 and I followed to give him cover with the second element. Major Johnson closed to approximately 300 yards and fired. I saw strikes all around the fuselage and the canopy came off. I took a quick look over each shoulder and when I looked back, the e/a was rolling on its back and skidding; then the nose fell through and the e/a was spinning straight down as it went into the clouds at ab o ut 10,000 feet. CHARLES W. REED 1 st Lt., Air Corps.

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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