479th Fighter Group 12/05/1944
435TH FIGHTER SQUADRON
479TH FIGHTER GROUP, AAF
APO 558 AAF STATION F-377
ENCOUNTER REPORT
NAME: Gordon L. Doolittle, 1st Lt., AC
(a) Aerial Combat
(b) 5 December 1944
(c) 435th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group
(d) 1100 hrs
(e) Northwest of Berlin, Germany
(f) 8/10 Two layers cumulus top – 20,000’
(g) FW-190’s
(h) Two FW-190’s destroyed; one FW-190 damaged
(i) Narrative:
I was flying in yellow flight, number three position. We were on a heading of about 180 degrees at 30,000 ft when we sighted a gaggle of E/A about 4,000 ft below us, at eight o’clock, going the opposite direction. Group leader called a bounce and I turned sharp left and dove on the gaggle. My wing man and I closed fast and I went clear into the center of the enemy formation. I fired a long shot at a FW-190 directly ahead of me about six hundred yards. I fired a long burst and he rolled over, went into a spin and bailed out.
I pulled up above the formation to the left and made another pass. I fired at one FW-190 and got some hits on him and he split “S” and went into the clouds at 20,000 ft.
I then pulled up behind another FW-190 that was climbing. He was pulling heavy con-trails and I drove up behind him firing as I closed. I could not see strikes because of the contrail but I closed very close and saw his canopy fly past my plane. The FW-190 then pulled up sharply and fell away to the right. I watched him in an uncontrolled spin going into the clouds at 20,000 ft. I did not observe any parachute.
I claim two FW-190’s destroyed and one FW-190 damaged.
GORDON L. DOOLITTLE
1st Lt., Air Corps
I hereby certify that the above action was seen and is confirmed by the undersigned.
RICHARD G. CANDELARIA
2/Lt., Air Corps
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Gordon Doolittle of the 479th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Gordon Doolittle's combat experience.
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