Robert Abernathy

353rd Fighter Group 12/24/1944


 

ENCOUNTER REPORT

 

A.  Combat

B.  24 December 1944

C.  350th Fighter Squadron

D.  1350

E.  Between Koblenz and Limburg

F.  CAVU

G.  Me 109

H.  Two Me 109’s destroyed .  (Air)

I.  There were 10 ships in “B” section of Seldom Squadron when from 12 to 15 Me 109’s came at us from about nine o’clock.  They passed over us and then made a left turn going paralell to the course.  Seldom leader made a right turn causing us to be on their tails.  The Me 109’s started to dive, so we closed on them and when getting in range, I opened fire on one and he blew up at 15,000 feet.  Then I followed one down to about 3,000 feet but couldn’t get deflection on him, so I attacked another and saw some strikes on the fuselage about the wing roots and he seemed to roll over in a split S and went straight into the ground.  The pilot did not bail out.

I claim two Me 109’s destroyed in the air.

I saw Capt. Winder shoot at one and it blew up.  I confirm Lt. George Lee’s Me 109 destroyed because I saw it hit the ground and blow up.

J.  1614 rounds fired.

 

ROBERT W. ABERNATHY

1st Lt., Air Corps

 


Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Robert Abernathy of the 353rd Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Robert Abernathy's combat experience.


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