WWII Pilot Combat Report - HARRY ROFF

HARRY ROFF

78th Fighter Group 01/04/1944

OFFICE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICER 8 3 RD FIGHTER SQUADRON REFERENCE U.S.F.O. NO. 212 INTELLIGENCE COMBAT REPORT

Combat . 4 January, 1944. 8 3 rd Fighter Squadron , 78B Group. 1 0 30 hours. Near Munster. 8/10 middle cloud, nil high cloud. FW 190 . 1 FW 190 destroyed . Narrative: I was flying Yellow Three in escort to the "heavies" on their way out from Munster, when shortly after rendezvous, Yellow Leader went down from 26,000 feet to bounce five 190s at about 15,000 feet. I chose a FW 190, but overshot. I tried to repeat the attack, but failed. I then sighted another 190 that I believe had attempted to bounce me, but had overshot. I turned to get inside him. He started a diving turn, rolling from a left turn to a right turn and back. I fired repeatedly with deflection of 0 to 20 degrees, from 350 to 250 yards, when I observed many hits, flashes, and pieces flying from the engine and fuselage. I pulled up, did a half-roll, and saw the 190s canopy fall away. His fuselage appeared darkened is spots from fire. Then the forward half of the fuselage was enveloped in a sheet of orange-red flame. About one minute later, I observed a chute in the vicinity.

HARRY C. ROFF, JR. 1 st Lt., Air Corps , 83 rd Fighter Squadron. 5 January, 1944

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

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