Philip Schallo

20th Fighter Group 02/09/1945


PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT

1st Lt. Philip L. Schallo     O-688850

 

A. Combat.

B.  9 February 1945.

C.  77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group.

D.  1340.

E.  Vicinity of Esperstedt airfield, Germany.

F.  5/10 cloud cover.

G.  Me-109.

H.  One (1) Me-109 destroyed.

I.   

“My position was White 3 on escort mission into Germany when our squadron went down to strafe.  At 1315 we hit airdrome at Esperstedt strafing until 1335.  After this I pulled off and started climbing through a break in the clouds, hoping to assemble with remainder of squadron.  While at 3,000 feet I saw a 109 spinning down toward the ground and I realized enemy aircraft was in the vicinity.  I immediately cobbed it and headed up as fast as possible.  At about 9,000 feet I saw a 109 making a head-on pass on a P-51.  I turned toward the 109 and opened fire at 200 yards at 60o angle and noticed many strikes in cockpit area.  As I slid by 109 racked around and started spinning.  I watch plane until it went into ground and exploded.  I saw no chute.

I saw another 109 after a P-51 and pulled over after him.  I fired a long burst at 400 yards from 60o down to 10o but saw no strikes.  I looked back to clear my tail and saw a 109 firing at me.  I broke to right and found myself in the middle of approximately 12 more 109s.  I kept breaking and turning for approximately ten minutes but never got a chance to shoot.  I finally got an opening to the west and put my nose down and ran for home, ducking into clouds at first opportunity.”

Claim:  One (1) Me-109 destroyed.

J.  1st Lt. Philip L. Schallo     44-14975     LC-K     1460 rds   50 Caliber.

 

PHILIP L. SCHALLO,

1st Lt., Air Corps.

 

FRANCIS W. BARKLEY,

Captain, Air Corps,

Intelligence Officer.

 


Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Philip Schallo of the 20th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Philip Schallo's combat experience.

Combat Reports

Philip Schallo's official WW2 combat report of 02/09/1945

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