John Truluck

56th Fighter Group 02/24/1944

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY THIRD FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION F- 36 5 , APO # 637 U. S. ARMY Personal Combat Report VIII Fighter Command F. O. No. 2 50

1st Lt. J ohn H . T ruluck a . Combat b . 24 February 1944 c . 6 3rd Fighter Squadron , 56th Fighter Group d . 1 255 hours e . Herford f . No clouds; poor vertical visibility. g . F W 190 h . 1 F W 190 D estroyed i . I was leading flying No. 3 in Postgate White flight (Col. Zemke, Lts. Robey, Truluck and Everett). After the bombers turned on to the southwest leg of the course, we saw several groups of fighters (2 to 4 each) attacking the bombers at various times. We tried to get into position to attack but either lost them due to poor visibility, or we could not catch them since they were attacking the bombers far ahead of us. Col. Zemke started down on two FW 190s to the right and below the bombers at approximately 12/15,000 feet. I started to follow when I saw another one to the right and rear of the first two. I moved over and went down on him. The 190 started a large diving turn to the left and went under the bombers. After about a 3 70 degree turn, I opened fire at about 400 yards. The 190 steepened his turn and dive. At about 200/150 yards I saw hits; then the plane and its belly tank exploded into a mass of flame. I pulled up sharply, but still went through some of the burning gasoline. After passing over the plane I looked over my wing and saw the pilot trying to get out of the cockpit – his canopy was gone. I claim o ne F W 190 destroyed.

JOHN H. TRULUCK , 1st Lt. , Air Corps . 1st Lt. John H. Truluck 42-74750 1079 rds 50 cal I SUPPORTING STATEMENT I was flying Postgate White 4 with Col. Zemke, Lts. Robey and T ruluck. We were flying to the right of the Big Freinds when Col. Zemke started down on three FW 190s. Lt. Truluck picked on the last e/a and started shooting in a sharp left turn. I was too far behind to observe strikes on the e/a but I did see a large explosion caused by gasoline, through which Lt. Truluck flew. At the same time both wheels of the e/a came down. I last saw the e/a starting into a steep turn to the left. I believe the e/a was definitely destroyed. EVERT G. EVERETT, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by John Truluck of the 56th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of John Truluck's combat experience.

John Truluck

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