JAMES STOKES
78th Fighter Group 01/04/1944
B. d . 1030 e . Near Munster. f . 8/10 middle cloud, nil h igh cloud . g . FW 190. h . 1 FW 190 destroyed . i . I was leading Cleveland Yellow flight, giving escort to the bombing mission of Munster; when shortly after rendezvous, at about 26,000 feet, I noticed a straggler being attacked by at least five FW 190's, at approximately 15,000 feet. I took my flight down to bounce the FW's that were attacking the straggler. After chasing away a couple of the 190's , I zoomed back to about 19,000 feet and saw a FW 190 with belly tank, being chased by Lt. Putnam's flight. I turned and got between the FW and Lt. Putnam. I fired at about 35 degrees deflection at 400 yards, closing to 250-200 yards with 5 degrees deflection, doing about 220 MPH. I observed some smoke and strikes as the 190 turned on his back to split "S". After the 190 split "S" -ed, and was in a vertical dive, I saw the pilot bail out of the ship. Supporting Statement of Claim: I was leading Cleveland Black flight in the fighter escort of the bombing effort to Munster. Shortly after rendezvous, I observed about five FW 190's queing for an attack on the straggling B-17. I went into a steep dive on a bounce, but was unable to conclude the attack due to Lt. Stokes intervening to pursue the same a/c. Being unable to continue the attack I pulled up to position myself to be able to continue the attack in the event the e/a evaded Lt. Stokes. While in a turn, I saw the two planes in a dive, and in looking shortly afterwards, I saw a plane crash on the ground, and a parachute going down.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by JAMES STOKES of the 78th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of JAMES STOKES's combat experience.
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