John Murphy

359th Fighter Group 03/29/1944


ENCOUNTER REPORT

LT. COL JOHN B. MURPHY

  1. Combat.
  2. 29 May 1944.
  3. 370th Fighter Squadron
  4. 1215
  5. Vicinity of Stettin
  6. Good
  7. FW – 190’s
  8. One (1) FW 190 destroyed in air, one (1) FW 190 destroyed (shared) in air

I was leading White Flight at 28,000 feet in escort of heavy bombers.  Bandits were called in at about 1215 in the vicinity of Stettin.  I started a dive between and slightly under two combat wings of B-24’s in the lead box, to attack two compact boxes of bandits which were orbiting in front of the bombers.  There were about 60 bandits in all and I chose the smaller section to attack.  I swung around in trail of one FW190 and fired continuously as I closed on him to 200 yds.  I observed many strikes on the top of the fuselage and canopy.  The E/A was skidding and flying as roughly as possible, still holding formation.  After seeing strikes well concentrated on the rear of the cockpit, I saw the E/A make a gradual half roll and go into a spin.  The abrupt change in his maneuvers from violent evasive action to his falling off into a half roll and spin convinced me that the pilot was dead and I immediately started to concentrate on another plane.  Supporting statements of other pilots in my flight, appearing below, indicate that the plane continued to spin down smoking.  I made a sharp chandelle to the left because a FW 190 was closing in on me from the rear.  At this time, Lt Doersch commenced firing at this FW 190.  When I finished my turn and was in position on the tail of the E/A, the canopy or some large section of his fuselage flew off as a result of Lt Doersch’s attack.  I opened fire and continued to fire at the FW 190 while large sections of the plane flew off.  The A/C appeared to disintegrate in the air.  I went into a spin and was completely out of control.  Another FW 190 was on my tail.  I went into a sharp turn to the left and Lt Doerwsch and Lt. Siltamaki engaged the E/A, both scoring strikes all over the plane.  I saw this FW 190 dive into the ground and explode.

I claim one (1) FW 190 destroyed in air, and one (1) FW 190 destroyed in air (shared). With Lt Doersch.

  1.  

Ser No. of A/C. 6878

A/C Markings:  CS-A

Ammunition expended: 501 rds of API,I AP, ratio 2-2-1

 

JOHN B. MURPHY

Lt Col, Air Corps,

359th Ftr Gp.

 

I was flying White 2 when our section went down to attack a gaggle of 15 to 20 FW 190’s.  We came in above and behind them in a left turn and White 1, Lt Col Murphy, opened fire.  I immediately saw good strikes on the fuselage and canopy of the E/A.  The FW 190 rolled over on its back and went into a spin, disappeared under my wing.  The pilot could very conceivably have been killed, judging from the strikes observed, and it is unlikely that a recovery from the spin could have been completed in time to avoid crashing.

John M Benton

Howard K Bogg


Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by John Murphy of the 359th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of John Murphy's combat experience.


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