John Anderson

55th Fighter Group 04/16/1945


PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT

A.  Combat.

B.  16 April 1945.

C.  38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.

D.  1610 - 1620.

E.  Autobahn between Munich/Brunnthal A/D and Munich/NeuBiberg A/D.

F.  CAVU.

G.  Do 217.

H.  One Do 217 destroyed (Ground).

I.  When we entered the pattern on some planes dispersed along an autobahn South of Munich, I was flying Hellcat Yellow 2.  The second time we crossed the autobahn from West to East I spotted two T/E E/A on the east side of the road, 25 – 50 yards on either side of a statue or tall road marker.  They were partially concealed with cut pine boughs.  I made 3 passes at the south ship and fired one or two short bursts.  The next pass from west to east, I fired a long burst at the north ship and then tried to get into Munich/NeuBiberg A/F but there was too much flak.

I then made 4 or 5 more passes at the north A/C on the autobahn.  (The tall trees on both sides of the road made it difficult to fire on a long pass).  On the last of my 2 firing passes from 600 – 800 feet, I observed black smoke coming from the E/A.  (25, see illustration 2).  From the twin tail and what I could see of the E/A when passing over it I wwould identify it as a Do 217.  I claim it as destroyed.

J.  Ammunition Expended – 800 Rounds.

JOHN E. ANDERSON, O-834929,

2nd Lieut., Air Corps.

 

S T A T E M E N T

I observed Lt. Anderson hit the above mentioned A/C and saw smoke coming from it.  Lt. Anderson, my wingman, and I had made 2 passes at these particular ships but I could not locate them on these 2 passes because the ships were well concealed in the trees.  He spotted them and I told him to take over while I followed him around on the next pass.

CLAYTON L. PETERSON, O-425043,

Major, Air Corps.

 

 


Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by John Anderson of the 55th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of John Anderson's combat experience.

Combat Reports

John Anderson's official WW2 combat report of 04/16/1945

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