WWII Pilot Combat Report - Reginald Herin

Reginald Herin

56th Fighter Group 05/22/1944

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY FIRST FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION F- 1 5 0 , APO 637 U. S. ARMY Encounter Report VIII Fighter Command F. O. No. 346 2 nd Lt. Reginald A. Herin Whippet Blue Three

a . Combat (air) b . 2 2 May, 1944 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron 56 th Fighter Group d . 1215 e . Hoperhofen f . 6/10 at 6,000 g . FW-190 h . FW-190 d estroyed i . I was flying Blue 3 in Whippet squadron. E/A were reported taking off of Hoperhofen airdrome so we prepared to attack them. My wing man couldn't get rid of his left wing tank so I stayed with him and covered Blue leader's tail. Finally my wing man shook the tank and we went down. At about 10,000 I spotted an FW-190 flying 180 o to me about 2,000 ft. below me. I closed dead astern to about 300 yards and opened fire. I observed hits around the cockpit and smoke coming from the wing roots. He rolled on his back and went through a small cloud. I saw him come out and crash in flames. The pilot was not seen to bail out. The plane went into the ground at a 90 o angle. I saw many fires in the Hoperhofen area. On the way out, my wing man and I spotted a locomotive around the vicinity of Cloppenburg (S/W of Oldenburg). We hit the deck and attacked it. I observed hits on the engine. My wingman was slightly behind and to the right of me and he inflicted considerable damage also. We then gained altitude thru very heavy concentrations of flak. No damage was suffered by either of us. We then came home. I claim 1 FW- 190 d estroyed , 1 locomotive damaged . j. 1085 rds .50 cal A.P. & I.

Supporting Statement to Captain Carter: Between Rotenberg and Hoperhofen A/D I saw a silver P-47 (which I believe to be Captain Carter's) on an FW's tail. The P-47 opened fire and later the FW was seen to split-ess at about 5,000 ft. The pilot fell out but his chute did not open. The plane crashed in flames. REGINALD A. HERIN, 2 nd Lt., Air Corps.

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

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