WWII Pilot Combat Report - Robert Taylor

Robert Taylor

56th Fighter Group 09/16/1943

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY SECOND FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION # 365 , APO # 637 U. S. ARMY Personal Combat Report 65th Fighter Wing F. O. No.63 VIII F ighter C ommand F. O. N o . 1 3 3

a . Combat b . 1 6 Sep t . , 1943 c . 6 2nd Fighter Squadron d . 1 430 h ou rs e . Vicinity Fougeres f . 2/10 cloud, visibility excellent g . F w 190 h . One F w 190 d estroyed i . "I was leading Yellow Flight and we were escorting the Fortresses when, in the vicinity of Fougeres, I saw Blue Flight bouncing some Jerries. I dipped my wing to get a better look and then saw two Fw 190's, at about 18,000', positioning themselves to attack the bombers. I broke down in an S'g manner, coming first out of the sun and then breaking into him at about 90 o to the sun. I opened fire on the #2 man from about 500 yards but didn't hit him. I waited a bit and then fired again from about 250 yards with a 10 o deflection. I saw strikes all along the fuselage and wing roots and, when he kicked right rudder, I could see flames in the cockpit. He then went into a spin, smoking, and I lost him when I pulled up. I then went after #1 man but, apparently, he saw me f or he broke right and down, levelled off and my #2 man followed him. I claim o ne F w 190 destroyed. " ROBERT

B. TAYLOR , 1st Lt. , Air Corps . "I was flying Yellow Two and saw Yellow Leader attack the #2 Fw 190. I could see strikes along the fuselage and cockpit, then he broke right and went into a spin, smoking. The first Jerry apparently had seen us for he did a split-S, rolled out and then broke down again. I followed him to 14,000' , firing, but could not get close enough to hit him and I make no claim. I looked around after I broke off and saw the #2 Jerry hit the ground and explode. Several miles to the east I saw another aircraft explode on the ground." STANLEY

B. MORRILL, 1st Lt., Air Corps.

ARMAMENT REPORT Lt. Robert B. Taylor 4 1-6193 327 r oun ds AP & I

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

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