WWII Pilot Combat Report - HAROLD MORRIS

HAROLD MORRIS

78th Fighter Group 04/25/1944

OFFICE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICER 83 RD FIGHTER SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE COMBAT REPORT REFERENCE F.C.F.O. NO. 313

Combat . 25 April 1944. 83 rd Fighter Squadron, 78 th Fighter Group. 0915 hours . 20 miles south of Verdun. 3-4 /10 cumulus at 2,000 feet with tops to 5,000 feet; 3/10 cirrus at 25,000 feet; good visibility. FW 190 . 1 FW 190 destroyed , shared with Lt. Sorenson. Narrative : I was flying Cargo White Four, when 20 plus ME 109s and FW 190s attacked a box of bombers. White Leader and Number Two man attacked four FW 190s while White Three and I bounced three 190s that were st ooging behind a formation of Thunderbolts. A tight Luftbury (sic) developed at 5,000 feet with White Three, one of the e/a and myself. I fired several large angle deflection shots without noticeable success. He finally leveled out in a steep dive and bailed out at about 1,500 feet—his chute not opening. The plane hit the ground and exploded. During this engagement, White Three and myself had belly tanks. I was not able to release mine. The FW 190 and me were pulling dense streamers from the wing tips and ailerons. The German pilot seemed eager at first but this seemed to disappear as we continued to hold our own in the turns. He apparently became confused and frightened and decided bailing out was the only solution to his dilemma.

HAROLD J. MORRIS, 1 st Lt., Air Corps , 83 rd Fighter Squadron.

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by HAROLD MORRIS of the 78th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of HAROLD MORRIS's combat experience.

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