Kendall Carlson
4th Fighter Group 01/31/1944
HEADQUARTERS
FOURTH FIGHTER GROUP
APO 637 U S ARMY
PILOT’S ENGAGEMENT REPORT
VIII FIGHTER COMMAND W.F.G. 85
A. Engagement
B. 31 January 1944
C. 336 Fighter Squadron
D. 1500 Hours
E. Gilze Rijen
F. Fair
G. ME 109
H. Destroyed
I. Narrative:
I was flying Blue Four when about 18-15 109’s started swinging around behind and up sun. At about the same time about eight came directly over our Blue and Green sections, half rolled and came down, and the ones up sun came down. I called for Green section to break. I broke-in fact all of Blue section broke and I was a 109 after a P-47 so I started after him. He was extremely close to the 47 so I started after him. He was extremely close to the 47 so I took about a 30-40 degree deflection shot with about three rings, and there were about 4 or 5 strikes on the engine cowl and cockpit. He started to smoke and roll over very slow and the pilot dropped out. His chute did not open until he was fairly close to the ground and was right above an inlet or river. The kite went straight in.
I saw another 109 behind a 47 so I started down calling to the 47 boy to keep turning, but he thought I said to take him down so he went straight down. At the same time Lt. Ellington and another 47 were going down with me but as the boy broke down it put me outside on the turn. Lt. Ellington cut inside of me and took him off the 47’s tail. This 109 hit in a pall of smoke and flame on a mud flat. These 109’s were really raring to go but the pilots must have been very green because they had all the advantage but buggered it up. When they did see me behind them, they broke and turned in side of me and I broke off up sun.
I claim one ME 109 Destroyed and I confirm Lt. Ellington’s claim.
AMMUNITION EXPENDED KENDALL R. CARLSON
64 AP 1st Lt., AC.,
32 Inc Pilot.
96 Rounds Total
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Kendall Carlson of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Kendall Carlson's combat experience.
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