WWII Pilot Combat Report - Robert Lamb

Robert Lamb

56th Fighter Group 02/06/1944

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY FIRST FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION F- 365, APO 637 U.S. ARMY Encounter Report VIII F ighter C ommand F.O. No. 2 3 6

a . Combat b . 6 Februar y , 1944 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56th Group d . 1 04 5 hours e . Beauvais f . 9/10 overcast at 5 to 7,000 ft. – above , was excellent g . M e -109 h . One M e -109 destroyed . i . I was flying Halstead White 1, we were on area cover patrol and were covering one box of B-17's. I saw three elements of two 109's approaching the big friends from the south and below. We dove down across the nose of the big friends as the lead Me-109 pulled up and fired at the bombers. I had two flights of three each. We closed on them and as they turned south again, we closed into range. I dropped down behind the first two and pulled up even with the number two hun . We were about 30 feet apart. I was then about 200 to 250 yds. from the leader. I opened fire and immediately saw strikes on the wings and fuselage. A piece flew off of the belly and another from the right wing. The 109 then started to roll to the right. Strikes were still appearing on the e/a. The pilot jettisoned his canopy and bailed out. As he left the e/a, he must have jumped into the fire of my starboard guns because I saw him blow apart in mid-air. I was then about 50 yards from the e/a. The e/a rolled on its back and went straight down thru the overcast. Our attack started at 23,000 feet and the actual combat took place from 6,000 to 7,000 feet. I claim one Me-109 destroyed.

j. 524 rds .50 cal A.P.I. See Encounter Report of 2nd Lt. R. J. Rankin ROBERT A. LAMB Captain , Air Corps

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

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