WWII Pilot Combat Report - Michael Quirk

Michael Quirk

56th Fighter Group 01/30/1944

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY SECOND FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION # 365 , APO # 637 U. S. ARMY Personal Combat Report VIII F ighter C ommand F.O. N o . 227

a . Combat b . 30 Jan . , 1944 c . 6 2nd Fighter Squadron d . Approx. 1 31 5 hours e . Vicinity Almelo f . Solid overcast 6,000' – c lear above. g . Me 109 h . One Me 109 claimed d estroyed . One Me 109 claimed d amag ed. i . " I was on my way home after having escorted the bombers part of the way out. Flying at 18,000', in the vicinity of Almelo, I spotted 10/12 e/a heading north at 14,000' and positioned myself for an attack. Diving on the tail of one of the Me 109's I saw two P-47's also attacking two other e/a. I opened fire on the tail man at 400/500 yds. and, although I saw several strikes on the wings and fuselage, my fire was not effective enough to prevent his breaking shar ply and hitting the deck. I then chose an Me 109 ahead and to the right and came up on him from dead astern. Opening fire at 300 yds., I fired steadily until I pulled up at 100 yds. (at 9,000'). During this time I saw many strikes all over the wings and fuselage and an unusually heavy concentration around the cockpit and engine. The e/a was burning and smoking fiercely and, as he went into the overcast at 6,000' , it was just a huge ball of fire. I did not observe any chute. I claim o ne Me 109 d estroyed and one Me 109 damaged . "

MICH AE L J. QUIRK , 1st Lt . , Air Corps . ARMAMENT REPORT L t. Michael J. Quirk 4 2 - 7 5 242 4 1 7 r oun ds AP I & T

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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