Richard Anderson
56th Fighter Group 08/03/1944
B. Anderson
a. Combat
b. 3 August 1944
c. 63rd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group
d. 1600 hours
e. SW of Sarrebourg
f. Clear - slight haze
g. FW 190
h. One FW 190 Destroyed.
I. I was flying number two position in Daily White flight led by Colonel Zemke. We proceeded on course until the Colonel spotted a cement factory approximately 10 miles west-northwest of Sarrebourg on the railroad line between Sarrebourg and Luneville. We bombed the factory and then pulled up in a right circle to come back and strafe the cars on the tracks. After two passes, the Colonel pulled up and began to circle over the area when he spotted a train moving slowly. On his second pass, I was following him in trail at about 1500 feet when an FW 190 came down from the left and started shooting at Col. Zemke. The E/A cut in front of me in his attack and the belly of his airplane apparently out me from behind. I immediately opened fire and soon as he was on my level. The E/A made a gentle turn to the left to avoid my attack but I scored strikes in his cockpit with about 5 second burst in a 10° deflection. The E/A straightened out and I fired a few more rounds into the plane before the canopy flew off and the pilot bailed out. I was forced to pull up to avoid hitting our White leader and we made another pass on the train before heading out. During the encounter I had no means of contacting my leader due to a faulty radio interphone. I claim one FW 190 destroyed.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Richard Anderson of the 56th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Richard Anderson's combat experience.
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