4th Fighter Group 08/16/1944
HEADQUARTERS
FOURTH FIGHTER GROUP
A.P.O. 637 US Army
PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT 8FC-FO 105
A. Combat
B. 16 August 1943
C. 334 Fighter Squadron
D. 0950-0955
E. 10 mi North of Paris
F. Very Good
G. FW 190
H. 2 FW Destroyed.
I. I was leading Pecktin Green Section and when North of Paris I took short burst at a FW 190 attacking Forts from the rear. He half-rolled away. No claim. I then pulled up and around 360 degrees, observed another flying parallel Forts. Closed to about 400 – 300 yards gave short burst. Saw SEVERE strikes around enemy aircrafts engine. Closed to about 200 yards, with another burst and saw the same results with pieces coming off. Enemy aircraft then half-roll and while watching I saw him going straight down, streaming smoke and then I saw his tail come off. I claim this enemy aircraft destroyed. I pulled back of the Forts again and closed on another FW 190. This time I closed to about 200 yards and opened fire. Enemy aircraft slow-rolled and I followed him around firing. I saw strikes and pieces flying off. I pulled away and when I last saw him, he was spinning down. I claim 2 FW 190s as destroyed.
JAMES A. CLARK
Captain, Air Corps
Confirmation:
I observed Capt. Clark shooting at an FW 190. The FW 190 half rolled, Capt. Clark followed him through this maneuver shooting all the time. The FW went into a slow turning spin toward the earth with a stream of smoke coming from him. I watch him quite awhile and the smoke became thicker. The last time I saw him the enemy aircraft was at approximately 5,000 feet and going straight down trailing a heavy column of black smoke.
F/O WILLIAM B. SMITH
AMMUNITION USED
880 Rnds. .50 Cal A.P.I.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by James Clark of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of James Clark's combat experience.
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