WWII Pilot Combat Report - Gerald Johnson

Gerald Johnson

56th Fighter Group 02/24/1944

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY THIRD FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION F- 365 , APO # 637 U.S. ARMY Personal Combat Report VIII F ighter C ommand F.O. No. 2 50

Major Gerald W . Johnson a . Combat b . 2 4 February 1944 c . 6 3rd Fighter Squadron , 56 th Fighter Group d . 1 2 4 0 hours e . near Minden f . CAVU g . FW 190 h . 1 FW 190 d estroyed i . I was in White flight (Major Johnson, Lts. Cavallo, Clamp and Frederick) leading Northgrove squadron in B Group. We crossed the coast on course at 22,000 feet and continued, making r/v with the rear box of B-17s at 26,000 feet NE of Hesepe. We had passed the first box and were approaching the front of the second box when I saw 3 e/a at 11 o'clock at about 12,000 feet climbing toward the bombers. As I started down, one of them turned 180 degrees giving me a perfect dead astern bounce from out of the sun. I opened fire at about 300 yards and closed to noth ing. The entire burst lit up the wing roots, cockpit and forward fuselage. As I pulled up to the left he was going down burning. We then gave our Blue flight top cover while they bounced another FW 190. As Blue flight broke off and started up, I pulled over and covered three of Halstead's planes that were fighting on the deck. We then pulled back onto the bombers' track and completed the mission without further incidents. I claim one FW-190 d estroyed .

GERALD W . JOHNSON, Major , Air Corps . Major Gerald W. Johnson 42-75232 325 rds 50 ca l API This report is further substantiated by the Personal Combat Reports of Lts. Harold E. Comstock, and Anthony S. Cavallo; dated 24 Feb. 1944.

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.

Donations

Do you have WWII memorabilia that you are not sure what to do with it? The children don't want it? Then let us help you preserve this history by donating these items to the Army Air Corps Library and Museum.

We are accepting donations in the form of uniforms, medals, ribbons, patches, photos, memorabilia, papers, gear and equipment.

We also accept monetary donations to support our operations and long term plans.

Donate

This website is part of the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, and as a 501(c)(3) Non-profit, your qualifying donations are tax deductible.

Volunteering

Are you an AAC, AAF or USAF Veteran, family member, historian or WW2 enthusiast? We Need YOU! Contact us today to see how you can help the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, a Texas Not-For-Profit Corporation.

We need your help! We are looking for volunteers that can help us with the following tasks.

(1) Typing and Transcriptionists: One of our big projects is extracting data from the thousands of documents we have and putting this data into a database where we can display the information on a website such as this one. (2) Photography and Document Scanning.

Historical Artifacts

We are looking for photos, documents and other types of artifacts including uniforms and gear of the 8th Air Force in World War II as well as other units and commands. We accept electronic/scans or originals of pictures and paper records. A General Order could be an award document that contains information on many servicemen. Special Orders may contain transfers or other information. Flight records, accident reports, maintenance logs, after action reports, pilot encounter reports, diaries and biorgraphies; all of these types of documents help us support or mission: preserving your history! Contact us today for instructions on sending us this material.