4th Fighter Group 08/16/1943
17 August, 1943
Pilot’s Personal Encounter Report
8 FC – F0 105
A. Combat.
B. 16 August, 1943.
C. 334 Fighter Squadron.
D. 0950 hours.
E. North suburbs of Paris.
F. Visibility unlimited.
G. FW 190.
H. Two FW 190’s Destroyed.
I. I was flying as Pecktin Green 3 in 334 Squadron, Lt. Col.
Blakeslee leading. As the bombers were being attacked 10 miles NW of
Paris, Green section went down. I shot at a FW 190 at 400 yards range and followed him down to 20,000 feet. I broke away and saw no results from my fire.
Seeing two FW 190’s flying line abreast and parallel to the bombers, I attacked from line astern. I gave a two second burst from 200 yards and saw many strikes and the undercarriage came down. I then skidded over to the second e/a and gave him three second burst from about 150 yards. I saw strikes and the undercarriage dropped down. I did a climbing orbit and tried to watch both e/a go down. I saw one of them hit and explode in a small field on the outskirts of Paris. The other I lost sight of going down smoking and out of control. I then shot at a FW 190 head on with deflection but saw no results.
Three FW 190’s then jumped us and I called my No. 2 man, Lt. Rafalovich, to break. I did a sharp climbing turn to port. My No. 2 broke starboard and down with an e/a following. My zoom climb enabled me to evade the two e/a following me. I orbited the bombers alone until ordered home by the group leader.
(See Lt. Rafalovich’s Engagement Report.)
I claim two FW 190’s destroyed.
Ammunition Used
984 Rnds .50 Cal A.P.I. RAYMOND C. CARE
1st Lt., Air Corps
Confirmation:
I was flying as Green 4, with Lt. Care as my No. 1 man in Pectin squadron, over Paris. At about 23,000 ft over Paris Lt. Care attacked two FW190’s flying line abreast. Following his attack on the first one the e/a dropped its wheels, smoke poured out of the cockpit, the plane turned on its back and spun down. Lt. Care then attacked the second FW190. I saw strikes on the e/a, his wheels went down, smoke poured out of the cockpit, pieces started flying from it and also went down in a spin. I fired my guns in order to take camera shots of these two encounters.
ALEXANDER RAFOLOVICH
1st Lt., Air Corps.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Raymond Care of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Raymond Care's combat experience.
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