356th Fighter Group 01/14/1945
361st FIGHTER SQUADRON
Office of the Intelligence Officer
APO 557 AAF Station 369
17 February1945
PERSONAL COMBAT REPORT
Field Order 1622A
JAMES A. BOWERS, 1st Lt., ASN 0-829811 CHINWAG 69
a. Combat.
b. 14 February 1945.
c. 361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group.
d. 1215 and 1220 hours.
e. Area south of CHEMNITZ, Germany.
f. Thin cirrus cloud at 23,000 feet, low cumulus from 1,000 to 2,300 feet. Visibility excellent between high and low cloud layers. 7/10 to 8/10ths.
g. Approximately 12 FW 190s
h. TWO FW 190s DESTROYED.
i. I was flying CHINWAG WHITE FOUR on the bomber escort mission 14 February 1945. Just after R/V, Lt. Hedrick of VORTEX Squadron came over and flew my wing. Just west of the target area about 1215 hours, CHINWAG RED THREE, Lt. Whitmore called in bogies at 18,000 to 20,000 feet. There were 12 FW 190s in a small gaggle. We bounced them coming up in behind them. I came in behind six of these E/A, I chose the left 190 of this formation and began firing at 700 yards, observing hits on the tail section. I closed to approximately 200 yards and fired several more bursts, observing hits on the tail and fuselage section. Pieces flew off the FW’s tail and the E/A went into a sloppy spin.
I claim ONE FW 190 DESTROYED.
During this combat I noticed Lt. Whitmore firing on a FW 190, off my left wing, and scoring a concentration of strikes along the tail and rear of fuselage. I lost Lt. Hedrick, my wingman, during this battle. I then got on the tail of a second FW 190, while turning with this E/A I fired a short burst at a third FW 190, that flew over the top of me.
No claim is made on this E/A pending assessment of combat film.
Once again I got on the tail of the second FW 190 that I had been turning with; but I had trouble hitting him, as he was in a tight turn to the left. After a few short bursts I got a good burst in the fuselage and then the canopy of the E/A was jettisoned. At this time I ran out of ammunition. I observed the pilot laying over the stick as I flew by the 190. This aircraft then burst into flames and spun down, as I broke to the left.
I clam ONE FW 190 DESTROYED.
While I was turning with this E/A I observed another 190 going down in flames, after being hit by Lt. Whitmore.
My claims are TWO FW 190s DESTROYED.
j. 1750 rounds fired, API.
JAMES A. BOWERS,
1st Lt., Air Corps.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by James Bowers of the 356th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of James Bowers's combat experience.
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