Melvin Baylor

356th Fighter Group 01/14/1945


361st FIGHTER SQUADRON

Office of the Intelligence Officer

APO 557               AAF Station 369

17 January1945

PERSONAL COMBAT REPORT

Field Officer 1622A

MELVIN W. BAYLOR, 1st Lt., ASN 0-711915                                CHINWAG 52

a.       Combat.

b.       14 January 1945.

c.       361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group.

d.       1215 and 1220 hours.

e.       Area south of CHEMNITZ, Germany.

f.        Thin cirrus cloud at 23,000 feet, low cumulus from 1,000 to 2,500 feet.  Visibility excellent between high and low cloud layers.  7/10 to 8/10ths..

g.       Approximately 12 FW 190s

h.      TWO FW 190s DESTROYED.

          ONE FW 190 DAMAGED, (Higher claim is not made pending assessment of film.

i.        I was flying CHINWAG WHITE LEADER on the bomber escort mission to DRESDEN, 14 February 1945.  At approximately 1215 hours West of the target area, CHINGWAG RED THREE, LT. WHITMORE called in bogies heading south.  I followed LAMPSHADE LEADER, Major Strait, and spotted approximately 12 FW 190s heading south between 18,000 and 20,000 feet.  We dove below the E/A and making a left turn came up directly behind the 190s.  LAMPSHADE LEADER fired on a FW 190 scoring hits.  This E/A then broke left with Major Strait still on him.  I pulled in behing another E/A and fired a short burst from 600 yards to 200 yards scoring many hits on the fuselage and wing of the 190.  The E/A then started a turn left and I hit prop wish.  I then skidded off to the right coming into close formation with him.  The E/A had large holes in the right aileron, fuselage and wings.  The FW 190 then flipped over on his back and the pilot bailed out.  His chute opened just before he went into the clouds at 2,500 feet.

          I claim ONE FW 190 DESTROYED.

          I then decided to climb back to altitude, but observed another FW 190 at three o’clock.  Pulling in behind this E/A I continuously fired from 500 yards down to 100 yards observing a heavy concentration of hits in the fuselage.  Black smoke began to pour out of the E/A as it went into a spin.  My wingman, Lt. RUSSELL A. WEBB, observed the cockpit on fire before the 190 spun into the low clouds at 2,500 feet.

          I claim ONE FW 190 DESTROYED.

          I then made a climbing turn to the left, observing an aircraft at five o’clock.  I went over to investigate it and recognized it as another FW 190.  I dove on it firing at a range of 300 yards.  I boserved many hits on the fuselage of this E/A, as my guns started to run out of ammunition.  I continued firing with two, then one gun, getting more hits on the fuselage before the 190 went into the clouds.

          I claim ONE FW 190 DAMAGED, (higher claim is not made pending assessment of my combat film.)

          My total claims are:  TWO FW 190s DESTROYED.

                                          ONE FW 190 DAMAGED.  (higher claim not made pending assessment of my combat film.)

J.       1320 rounds fired, API

                                                          Melvin W. Baylor

                                                          1st Lt., Air Corps.

          All claims confirmed by 2nd Lt. RUSSELL H. WEBB, see his supporting statement on reverse side.


Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Melvin Baylor of the 356th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Melvin Baylor's combat experience.

See More

Melvin Baylor: Personnel File

Combat Reports

Melvin Baylor's official WW2 combat report of 01/14/1945

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