WWII Pilot Combat Report - RALPH JOHNSON

RALPH JOHNSON

56th Fighter Group 09/07/1943

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY SECOND FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION # 365 , APO #637 U.S. ARMY Personal Combat Report 65 th Fighter Wing F. O. No. 56 VIII Fighter Command F.O. No. 1 26

a . Combat b . 7 Sept. , 1943 . c . 6 2nd Fighter Squadron . d . 0900 hours e . 15 /20 miles of f Tessel Island . f . Clear – visibility excellent. g . M e 109 h . One M e 109 d estroyed . i . "I was leading Yellow Flight on F.O. 56/126 and we were flying at six o'clock to the bombers, at 23,000', when I saw two aircraft coming from the direction of Tessel Island. They passed about 1,000' under Yellow Three, who called and reported them. I turned left and over the top of Yellow Three and then saw a third ship in their group. While Yellow Three was attacking one of the two Enemy Aircraft in front of him the third positioned himself to attack Yellow Three and I could see the cross on his wing very plainly. I then got in back of him, up sun, he broke right and I followed him. At about 250 yards, I gave him ½ ring lead, about a 10 o deflection, and opened fire, closing to about 150-175 yards. I could see strikes all over his right wing and, apparently, I hit his ammunition for a huge piece of his wing broke off. I skidded to the left to avoid being hit by this and then pulled up to clear my tail, with Yellow Two (Lt. Ginn) following me. As I turned to the right I looked back, saw the enemy aircraft spinning in and the pilot's chute opening. I claim o ne M e 109 d estroyed . "

RALPH A . JOHNSON, 1 st Lt. , Air Corps . ARMAMENT REPORT Lt. R alph A . Johnson 42-22 4 8 1 275 r oun ds AP I & T "I was flying Red Three on the above mission and saw the enemy aircraft claimed as destroyed by Lt. Johnson go into a spin. I watched him do several turns, the pilot bailed out and the ship continued to spin into the North Sea." MICHAEL J. QUIRK, 1 st Lt., Air Corps.

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

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