WWII Pilot Combat Report - ROBERT NEWMAN

ROBERT NEWMAN

353rd Fighter Group 10/14/1943

ENCOUNTER REPORT Combat . 14 October 1943. 35 2 nd Fighter Squadron . A pprox . 1310. Turnhout (Estimated). 31,000 feet. Fair—overcast at 12,000 feet. ME 1 09s 1 ME 1 09 destroyed , 1 ME 1 09 damaged.

I was flying Wakeford Red #3 position. We were escorting the bombers when about 5 or 6 ME 109s attacked from 10 o'clock. Lt. Fogarty, Wakeford Red Leader, and his wingman turned right and I turned slightly left. We split the 109's formation in a head-on pass and I got on a 109's tail. He tried evasive action (skidding ) and I got in one good burst at about 150 yds. range. Strikes were observed on the e/a. At this time we were at about 31,000 ft. The e/a made a sharp downward turn. I turned with him and fired most of the way around the turn getting more hits on the e/a. I was closing from 150 to 75 yds. Finally we both stalled out and as I recovered I saw his engine blow all to hell with pieces flying all over. I lost him at 20,000 ft. Lt. Johnson, my wingman, told me to turn left and I was on another 109's tail. I fired at him at about 150 yards range and observed strikes but he got away. We were by this time lost from the squadron so we hit for home. I claim one ME 1 09 destr oyed and 1 ME 109 damaged.

ROBERT A. NEWMAN, 1 st Lt , A C, 352 nd F Sq. THIS IS A TRUE COPY L.M. STACKLER, 1 st Lt, AC, Intelligence Officer

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by ROBERT NEWMAN of the 353rd Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of ROBERT NEWMAN's combat experience.

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