55th Fighter Group 07/07/1944
PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat.
B. 7 July 1944.
C. 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
D. 1015.
E. Bernberg.
F. CAVU.
G. Me 410.
H. Destroyed.
I. I was flying number two position in Hellcat White Flight when the squadron leader, Major Landers, made a bounce on a formation of 30 plus Me 410’s flying at 17,000 feet. They were in a gentle dive flying in an easterly direction at approximately 350 MPH, taking no evasive action. I closed on one at 7,000 feet and opened fire at 250 yards. I observed many strikes on his left wing and fuselage. When I hit him he made a gentle turn to the right. I gave him another burst observing many more strikes on the wings and fuselage. The plane then peeled off to the right and headed straight down as I overran him at 4,500 feet. Major Landers saw him hit the ground and explode.
I claim one Me 410 destroyed as a result of this combat.
ROBERT E. CALLAGHAN,
2nd Lieut., Air Corps.
S T A T E M E N T
Lt. Callaghan was flying my wing during the combat with the Me 410’s described above. I was busily engaged myself, but I did see strikes on one 410 from Lt. Callaghan’s guns – and then observed the enemy aircraft flip over and crash to earth. I confirm his claim of one Me 410 destroyed.
JOHN D. LANDERS,
Major, Air Corps.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Robert Callaghan of the 55th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Robert Callaghan's combat experience.
Do you have WWII memorabilia that you are not sure what to do with it? The children don't want it? Then let us help you preserve this history by donating these items to the Army Air Corps Library and Museum.
We are accepting donations in the form of uniforms, medals, ribbons, patches, photos, memorabilia, papers, gear and equipment.
We also accept monetary donations to support our operations and long term plans.
This website is part of the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, and as a 501(c)(3) Non-profit, your qualifying donations are tax deductible.
Contact us if you are contemplating a donation of any kind.
Are you an AAC, AAF or USAF Veteran, family member, historian or WW2 enthusiast? We Need YOU! Contact us today to see how you can help the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, a Texas Not-For-Profit Corporation.
We need your help! We are looking for volunteers that can help us with the following tasks.
(1) Typing and Transcriptionists: One of our big projects is extracting data from the thousands of documents we have and putting this data into a database where we can display the information on a website such as this one. (2) Photography and Document Scanning.
We are looking for photos, documents and other types of artifacts including uniforms and gear of the 8th Air Force in World War II as well as other units and commands. We accept electronic/scans or originals of pictures and paper records. A General Order could be an award document that contains information on many servicemen. Special Orders may contain transfers or other information. Flight records, accident reports, maintenance logs, after action reports, pilot encounter reports, diaries and biorgraphies; all of these types of documents help us support or mission: preserving your history! Contact us today for instructions on sending us this material.