WWII Pilot Combat Report - MICHAEL QUIRK

MICHAEL QUIRK

56th Fighter Group 08/19/1943

PILOT'S P ERSONAL C OMBAT R EPORT F.O. 40/108

A . Combat . B . August 19 , 1943 C . 6 2nd Fighter Squadron . D . 1 810 h ou rs . E . Vicinity Gilze-Rijen. F . 2/10 cloud, visibility excellent . G . Fw 190 H . One . I . " I was leading the second element of Red Flight and we were just approaching the bombers North-east of Woensdrecht when we were attacked from the rear by three Fw 190's. The whole flight broke left and after pull ing up and circling around a few times I discovered that Red Four and myself had lost the first Element so we flew over to the B-17's and tacked on to another flight of P-47's. After covering the 17's for a while we started home and, about ten miles from the bombers, I saw two Fw 190's flying southwest at about 1 9,000'. Red Four and I dove on them from 27,000' and they broke in different directions so I took the number two ship. He broke left and then, instead of completing his turn, started to break right, giving me a beautiful set-up for a dead astern attack. I opened fire first at about 600 yards – waited – than fired again at about 350 yards and closed to 200. I could see strikes all over the cockpit and engine, large pieces flew off and the ship burst into flames. He suddenly rolled over on his back as I pulled up and I lost him then, but Lt. Adrianse (63 Squadron) who was preparing to attack him saw him explode in mid-air , as well as Capt. Dauphin, this squadron. After pulling up, Red Four and I joined Lt. Adrianse and another P-47 and came home. I claim one Fw 190 destroyed. "

MICHAEL J. QUIRK , 1st Lt. , Air Corps . ARMAMENT REPORT Lt. Michael J. Quirk 41- 62 1 5 582 r oun ds AP & I

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

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