Robert Barnhart
356th Fighter Group 01/14/1945
360th FIGHTER SQUADRON
AAF Station 369, APO 557
REB/krr
20 January1945
PERSONAL COMBAT REPORT
Eighth Air Force F.O. 1515A
ROBERT E. BARNHART, 1st Lt. ASN 0824357 VORTEX 42
a. Combat
b. 14 January 1945
c. 360th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group
d. 1415 to 1425, 6,000 feet/
e. South of Osnabruck
f. Clear
g. FW 190
h. Destroyed
i. I was leading Vortex Green flight on an area support mission in the Nagdeburg area when Nuthouse notified us that a group was in Combat in the Dummer Lake area. We set out for that area and from 12,000 feet low at 9 o’clock we noticed a dog fight. I started my flight around in a left orbit and dropping down rapidly trying to identify an enemy. I spotted two FW 190’s and made a diving pass out of the sun on the one on the right. Just as I was at about 400 yards and ready to fire, I saw the other one on my left pull up high. Obviously he was going to drop back down on me so I broke off my pass on the original jerry and pulled up behind the second one. I was dead on him at 6 o’clock and he started violent evasive action. I gave one short burst at him, noticing no hits but he jettisoned his canopy and bailed out.
My No. 3 man, Lt. Urban, making his pass behind me went after the one I originally started for. After very little Combat, I saw the pilot of that E/A also bail out.
I claim one FW 190 destroyed.
Rounds fired: 105 API. Robert E. Barnhart, 0824357
1st Lt., Air Corps,
356th Fighter Group.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Robert Barnhart of the 356th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Robert Barnhart's combat experience.
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Robert Barnhart: Personnel File
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