WWII Pilot Combat Report - James Stone

James Stone

78th Fighter Group 07/30/1943

HEADQUARTERS 78th Fighter Group, Army Air Forces Intelligence Combat Report Field Order #18 Pilot: Lt. Colonel James J. Stone Jr.

Date (a) July 30, 1943 Unit (b) 83rd Fi Sq – 78th Fi Gp Type and Mark of Our Aircraft (c) P-47 Number of Enemy Aircraft (d) Several Type of Enemy Aircraft (e) ME 109 - - FW 190 Time of Attack (f) 1040 Place of Attack (g) Vicinity of Berkelo Weather (h) Hazy with some high cloud Height of Enemy (i) 22,000 ft. Enemy Casualties (j) 1 ME 109 Destroyed Statement of Combat: I was leading Red Flight in the lead squadron when we made our attack on some 190's. They saw us coming and dived away. My flight of four which I was leading had become separated from the Group, so we started weaving and working our way towards the bombers. I noticed a 109 about 45 o forward off to my left at the same level. Apparently he didn't notice me, so rather than try a 45 o deflection, I figured I would slide in behind him where I couldn't miss. I eased over behind him to 0 o deflection range approximately 150-200 yds and opened fire. There were incendiary flashes on his wing roots, then suddenly the 109 disenterg r ated and I had to pull up to avoid the debris. My wing man ran into a few of the pieces of the 109 which made a few holes in his windshield. Shortly after this encounter I sighted two F.W. 190's at our same level and started after them. I had full throttle and did not seem to be closing in, so I fired at long range, possibly 500-600 yds. I may have possibly caused some damage to one aircraft because shortly after I started firing they both broke left and dived straight down. I did not attempt to follow them down due to being so far into enemy territory.

JAMES J. STONE JR., Lt. Colonel, Air Corps, Commanding

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

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