Robert Cherry
56th Fighter Group 05/04/1944
b. 4 May 1944.
c. 62nd Fighter Squadron.
d. Approximately 1015 hours.
e. Vicinity Nordhausen.
f. Clear.
g. M e 410 and F w 190.
h. M e 410 claimed destroyed, and one F w 190 claimed destroyed, shared with Lieutenant Bennett. i . " I was flying Platform Red Three on Captain Williamson. Near Nordhausen I saw a plane on the deck and went in for a bounce. Captain Williamson gave me cover in my wingman came with me. It was an M e 410. I came in and opened fire with about 60° deflection and pulled my nose through him. The right engine caught fire and there were heavy strikes over the entire fuselage. The pilot bellied it in and I saw two men running away. My wingman, Lieutenant Bennett, and I both returned and strafed the plane. We pulled up from this and climbed to 14,000 feet. My wingman and I circled looking for something to shoot and finally strafed a train. Lieutenant Bennett strafed from the engine to the last car and I came in and shot up the e ngine also. As we were coming home, at about 1045 hours, Lieutenant Bennett saw an F w 190 but lost it. I soon spotted it and caught him with his wheels down, preparing to land at Nordhausen. Lieutenant Bennett and I made several passes at him. All head on for me , and I again observe many strikes in the fuselage. I thought, I thought sure the pilot was killed on my last burst, but he bailed out and his plane crashed in the town. While I was firing at the 190, the ground flak was firing at me. They knocked out my turbo, hydraulic system, and also my oxygen. We climbed to 7000 feet. ( I could go no higher with my plane ) and start ed home. I claim one M e 410 destroyed, and 1 F w 190 destroyed, sharing with Lieutenant Bennett. "
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Robert Cherry of the 56th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Robert Cherry's combat experience.
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