4th Fighter Group 01/01/1945
HEADQUARTERS
FOURTH FIGHTER GROUP
APO 558 U S ARMY
PILOT’S COMBAT REPORT
VIII FIGHTER GROUP F.O. 1476A
A. Combat
B. 1 January 1945
C. 336 Fighter Squadron
D. 1230 Hours
E. Ulzen
F. CAVU
G. Me109
H. 1 Me109 Destroyed
I. Narrative:
I was flying on the wing of Lt. Pierini who had taken over the squadron after our squadron leader had aborted. We had just started to rejoin the bombers when we noticed 4 contrails very high at our 5 o’clock. I kept watching them and finally one began to dive down behind our Blue Section. It was a Me109. I called him in to Lt. Pierini and he told me to go after him and he would cover me. I did, but lost the Hun in the dive. When I got to about 10,000 feet, I leveled out and started trying to find him again. I didn’t find that one again but a few minutes later, I saw two of the other 109’s come to the deck and I turned over their way and went after them. They began flying line abreast at about 50 feet above the ground. Lt. Pierini told me to take the first one so I got on the Me109’s tail, fired one short burst and got strikes all over him. He rolled over, went into the deck and exploded. I then told Lt. Pierini to take the other one which had made a 90 degree break. He got on his tail but hit his prop wash, making him miss with his first burst. The 109 led Lt. Pierini across a town which failed to fire any flak. Just past the town Lt. Pierini began getting striker all over the 109. The e/a then started a shallow port turn and went into the deck and blew up.
I claim 1 Me109 destroyed and confirm 1 Me109 destroyed by Lt. Pierini.
VAN E. CHANDLER,
O-705545,
1st Lt., AC.,
Pilot.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Van Changler of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Van Changler's combat experience.
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