Roy Fling

56th Fighter Group 08/12/1944

63rd Fighter Squadron, AAF Station F-150, APO 637, U.S. Army. Personal Combat Report, VIII Fighter Command. F. O . No . 506.

Captain Roy T. Fling

a. Combat.

b. 12 August 1944.

c. 63rd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group.

d. 1450 hours.

e. Maubeuge .

f. Clear - Vis. Excellent.

g. Me 109.

h. One M e 109 destroyed. i . I was leading Yorker Red Flight consisting of myself, Lieutenant s Da vis, K err , and Gro c e, on a dive bombing mission. After having bombed the marshalling yards at Maubeuge , I began my climb and had reached an altitude of about 2000 feet w hen I observed an aircraft flying from the area which we had previously bombed. The airplane was coming from the northeast and was flying a straight course on the deck towards the vicinity of the small town of Ferrier e , whose marshalling yards were being stra fed at the time by another squadron. I've watched it for several seconds trying to determine whether it was part of our group, but being dubious, went down to investigate and discovered the plane to be an M e 109 with no insignia markings whatsoever. I closed in from the rear at about 150 feet a ltitude. Without the e/a making any evasive action. Having the e/a well within my sights, I opened fire at approximately 300 yards and scored many strikes all over the fuselage, wings and cockpit. The M e 109 then exploded a nd what was left of the plane was sprayed across a pasture and burned. The pilot did not have a chance to even attempt to bail out. I claim one. M e 109 destroyed. j. A/C No. 42-26466, Rds fired – 1153 API.

ROY T. FLING, Captain, Air Corps SUPPORT STATEMENT After dropping our bombs on the marshalling yards at Maubeuge , our Flight, Yorker Red Flight, proceeded to strafe numerous locomotives and railroad cars. An Me 109 appeared from the Northeast o f the yards and had passed almost over our area before being identified as such. Captain Fling , who at the time was circling at about 1000 feet and heading about 330°, rolled over and down on the e/a . The pursuit was very short and effective. The plane held this course, flew straight and level. Captain Fling c losed in to about 300 yards and opened fire. and really clobbered the job The e/a caught fire, nose down, crashed and burned in a cow pasture. At that time, 1450 hours, the e/a was attacked , It was flying at about 150 feet. WARREN E. KERR, 1Lt, Air Corps

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

Roy Fling

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