355th Fighter Group 03/02/1944
358TH FIGHTER SQUADRON
355TH FIGHTER GROUP
APO 637
F.O. #257
881 Rounds Fired: 525 AP, 348 Incendiary, 8 Tracer
March 3, 1944
PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat
B. March 2, 1944
C. 358th Fighter Squadron
D. 1420 Hours
E. N.E. of Liege
F. 3/10th Cum.
G. Me 109
H. 1 Me 109 Destroyed
I. We were headed approximately east, flying at 23,000’ searching for the rear Combat Wing of B-24’s, when we saw a formation of 3 Me 109’s flying about 40 degrees and about our level. I was flying Red #3, with Maj Myers leading. We turned in behind the e/a, and chased them for 3-4 minutes, closing to about 250 yards, when Maj Myers fired 2 bursts at the e/a on the extreme left. I was flying on Maj Myers’ left, and I crossed over and past him and got on the leader of the e/a, letting our Red #2 man take the one on the extreme right. I gave the e/a a burst and observed strikes on his fuselage and left wing, which caused smoke to pour from it. He made a mild turn left, and I gave him a long burst; I closed to approximately 75 yards getting many strikes and causing a mild explosion followed by a puff of flame and lots of smoke. I broke off my attack, since he was headed for the ground and burning. I had followed him down to about 4,000’ and as I broke off, the 109 slowly went over on his left wing and down. In view of my effective strikes, the smoke, explosion, flame and the uncontrollable dive of the e/a from 4,000’, I claim one Me 109 destroyed.
HAROLD J. HOFFMAN,
1st Lt, AC.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Harold Hoffman of the 355th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Harold Hoffman's combat experience.
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