WWII Pilot Combat Report - Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson

56th Fighter Group 01/05/1944

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY FIRST FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION F- 365 , APO #637 U.S. ARMY Personal Combat Report VIII Fighter Command F.O. No. 213 1 st Lt. Robert S . Johnson Keyworth Blue Three

a . Combat b . 5 January , 194 4 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56 th Group d . 1 210 hrs e . 10 miles north of Liege f . Overcast low – high cirrus g . FW-190 h . 1 FW-190 d estroyed i . I was flying Keyworth Blue 3. We had gone over the target with the bombers and were about to break off escort. We were at 27,000 feet at 10 o'clock to the bombers, when we saw 12 plus FW -190's coming in at about 23,000 or 24,000 feet at 3 o'clock to us in front of the bombers. My flight leader started down and they turned to the right in a dive. They kept going right and my flight leader picked the last in a string. There was one e/a that had pulled up to the left. He took a short burst at my number 1 and number 2 men. I went after him as my number 1 and number 2 men pulled up. We dived under the number 1 and number 2 men as I began firing at 300 or 400 yards. I fired several short bursts and was firing on my back and in aileron rolls. We went straight down then rolling. I saw strikes and an explosion in his engine. I also saw strikes about the wing roots. He tumbled twice and pieces came off. He pulled streamers in a sort of pull out and he then started down burning and smoking. I had perfect cover by my wingman. I claim o ne FW-190 d estroyed . j. 838 rds . 50 cal

I. ROBERT S . JOHNSON, 1 st Lt. , Air Corps .

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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