WWII Pilot Combat Report - Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson

56th Fighter Group 11/03/1943

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY -FIRST FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION F- 365 , APO #637 U.S. ARMY Personal Combat Report VIII Fighter Command F.O. No. 168 1 st Lt. Robert S . Johnson Keyworth Blue Three

a . Combat b . November 3, 1943 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56 th Group d . 13 38 hrs e . 15 miles north of Ameland Island f . Overcast at 14,000 feet , scattered strato cumulus above 17,000 feet g . M E- 109 h . One M E- 109 d estroyed i . I was flying Keyworth Blue 3. We came up on the rear of the bombers flying at 29,000 feet and I sighted two stragglers being attacked by 2 e/a head-on at 22,000 feet. We crossed from 5 o'clock to 7 o'clock on the bombers going down and the enemy broke away and down. As we pulled up I saw a ME-109 at 7 o'clock to the bombers at about 20,000 feet and 5, 000 feet below me at 9 o'clock to me. I called in and we went down (Blue 3 & 4). He saw me at first and ducked under some con-trails but I could still see him. I kept overtaking him fast. He weaved to try and see me. I closed to 200 yards and opened fire. I hit him and he rolled over. I stuck my nose down nearly into him and saw strikes over cockpit and tail. I pulled up through the smoke to keep from hitting him. I pulled up to the left and watched him several seconds. During combat I had perfect cover by Blue 1 and 2 and by Yellow flight, above them. The ME-109 was burning and smoking badly. I saw his left elevator fly off and the last I saw of him, he was in a vertical spiral into the clouds. I never saw the pilot bail out. I claim o ne M E- 109 d estroyed .

ROBERT S . JOHNSON, 1 st Lt. , Air Corps . Armament Report NAME AIRCRAFT AMMUNITION USED 1 st Lt. Robert S. Johnson 8461 484 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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