Richard Forsblad

55th Fighter Group 07/21/1944

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PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT

A.  Combat.

B.  21 July 1944.

C.  38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.

D.  1050.

E.  Near Munich.

F.  Clouds 7-8/10ths.

G.  Me 109.

H.  One (1) Me 109 Destroyed.

I.  I was leading Hellcat Red Flight in the vicinity of Munich at an altitude of 17,000 feet, when Hellcat Leader called in a lone Me 109 north of the city evidently just breaking off an attack on a box of bombers overhead.  The Hun, apparently not seeing us, headed southeast about 180 degrees to our course.  Hellcat leader started a bounce but due to some engine failure could not press home the attack.  Meanwhile my wingman opened fire from 300 yards at 4 to 5 o’clock to the enemy aircraft and got some strikes in the right wing.  With this the Hun poured on the coal and started a turn to the right through a hole in the clouds.  Using full power I cut him off and coming up to 150 yards of him at about 6 to 6:30 o’clock, I fired two one second bursts but observed no strikes.  I then closed to 100 yards and opened fire.  Closing still further to about 60 yards, in a 6 to 7 second burst I saw strikes all over the 109 from the left wing section over the canopy and engine on out to the right wing.  The Hun then jettisoned or lost his canopy and started a roll to the left.  I had to pull up sharply to avoid a collision with the enemy aircraft, thus losing sight of him.  But my number four man, Lt. Littlefield, followed the Hun down and last observed him at a very low altitude in an uncontrolled dive and smoking badly.

As a result of the above combat I claim one (1) Me 109 destroyed.

RICHARD W. FORSBLAD,

Captain, Air Corps.

 

S T A T E M E N T

I was number four man in Captain Forsblad’s Flight, Hellcat Red, and witnessed all of the combat he describes – observing strikes on the Me 109 from wing tip to wing tip and seeing the canopy fall off.  When Captain Forsblad broke off the attack, I followed the enemy aircraft straight down.  At about 6,000 feet I pulled out indicating 500 MPH.  Last seen the Me 109 was still going straight down out of control and smoking badly about 3,000 feet above the ground.  I didn’t actually see it crash, but I am certain he could never have recovered.  I therefore confirm Captain Forsblad’s claim on this Me 109 destroyed.

ROBERT M LITTLEFIELD,

2nd Lieut., Air Corps.

 

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Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Richard Forsblad of the 55th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Richard Forsblad's combat experience.

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  55th Fighter Group