WWII Pilot Combat Report - Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson

56th Fighter Group 06/13/1943

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY - FIRST FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION #123 , APO # 637 Personal Combat Report 2nd Lt. Robert S. Johnson Field Order No. 44

(a) 13-6-43 (b) 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Group (c) P-47-C2 (d) 09 30 hrs. (e) Southeast of Bergues (f) Clear and unlimited visibility (g) One (h) FW-190 (i) 24,000 ft. (j) One FW-190 destroyed (k) Nil (l) Nil (m) Nil (n) My position was Shaker Blue #4. We were going into France at about 27,000 feet. We spotted 12 FW-190's below at about 24,000 feet coming straight toward us, and right in front of us. The Huns were flying line abreast and when we attacked they turned right. It was more of a turn than a break. One of our flights were directly on the tails of a flight of 4 FW-190's. They were now in string and trying to follow their leading FW-190. I attacked the leader as the others were being taken care of. I saw strikes on the second FW-190 in the flight as I was bearing down on the leader. I was about 200 yds behind him and slightly above and in a slight dive. I gave him the lead I thought he needed and opened up . I fired a 2 or 3 second burst. He turned to the right slightly and heavy black smoke came from him. He pulled up, rolled over, exploded nearly above me and spiraled down, when about 200 yards below me, he burst into flame. I circled and kept him in sight. I saw him strike the ground. By this time I had lost altitude to about 12,000 feet or 15,000 feet . I ran for England and started climbing and circling. While I watched mine go down, I saw two others going down in flames. I did not see them strike the ground. Also, the pilot of the plane I shot did not bail out. I claim one F W -190 d estroyed .

ROBERT S . JOHNSON, 2nd Lt , Air Corps . Armament Report NAME AIRCRAFT AMMUNITION USED 2nd Lt. Robert S. Johnson 41 -6235 2 04 rds .50 cal. A . P & I .

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Robert Johnson of the 56th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Robert Johnson's combat experience.

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