355th Fighter Group 11/07/1943
HEADQUARTERS
355TH FIGHTER GROUP
A.P.O. 637, U.S. ARMY
Pilot’s Personal Encounter Report
TYPE OF ACTION: Combat
DATE: November 7, 1943
UNIT: 357th Fighter Squadron
TIME ATTACK MAKE: 1200
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF ATTACK: Amiens
WEATHER: Overcast at about 5000 feet. Horizontal visibility good above overcast--4 to 7 miles. Vertical visibility good down to overcast.
TYPE OF ENEMY AIRCRAFT: ME210
ENEMY CASUALTIES (Pilot’s Claim): One aircraft destroyed. Two parachutes observed from aircraft.
ACCOUNT OF COMBAT:
We had left bombers and were letting down. I was leading Yellow Flight of 3 aircraft. Were down to 16,000 feet and I observed an aircraft a 9 o’clock at our level. I called my Squadron Leader and reported bogie at 9 o’clock, same level. I observed aircfart (sic) trying to get on our tail, and at that time I could see the plane was twin-engined. I called the Squadron Leader and said I was going to investigate and made a left-hand turn toward the aircraft. I passed the aircraft going 180 degrees to his course and identified him as an ME210. The E/A continued the left turn away from the Squadron and started a diving turn to the left. I increased my turn, diving to cut him off before he could get into the overcast. I gave him a 2 second burst at 900 yards with 3 radii lead to force him to level out, which he did and continued to dive down at 45 degrees. I tacked on his tail and held my fire until I was approximately 300 yards from him. I was closing rapidly so I started firing and continued firing until I had to pull up to the left to avoid ramming him. I observed strikes on both wings from the fuselage to the engines. I also observed an explosion in the port engine. As I pulled up to the left, I saw the port wing badly damaged and burning. The E/A chandelled to the right. I rolled to the right endeavoring to come in behind the E/A for another burst, when I observed 2 parachutes leave the aircraft. I turned away and resumed my vector for home, calling my flight to follow immediately. The attack was broken off at between 5000 and 6000 feet.
NORMAN E. OLSON
Captain, Air Corps.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Norman Olson of the 355th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Norman Olson's combat experience.
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