WWII Pilot Combat Report - Vermont Garrison

Vermont Garrison

4th Fighter Group 02/10/1944

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH FIGHTER GROUP APO 687 U.S. ARMY PILOTS COMBAT REPORT VIII FIGHTER COMMAND P.O. 289

A. Combat

B. 10 February, 1944

C. 336 Fighter Squadron

D. 1110 Hours

E. Dummer Lake Area-18,000 to 18,000 Feet.

F. Patchy Cloud

G. M.E. 109

H. One M.E. 109 Destroyed

I. Narrative: I was flying Red three in 334 Squadron when Red one had to return home on four engines. In the area of Dummer Lake five 109's came head on at us alighted on our starboard. I turned Red stotton on them and then on the next burst started to lag and swing wide on the bend of either him. He rolled over and started down, and I went down after them. I started firing, missing him at first, when I got hits on port wing and they came across to his radiator and fuselage. Enemy about 500 yards, 5 degrees off. Evidently pinned one of my wing. They worked out of debris. After hitting him, I immediately broke away violently and started trying to get out of the dive as I thought one of the other four might be behind me. I intened firing at about 15,000 or 18,000 feet. My number two, Lt. Villingers thinks he saw the hit. Then I last saw him, his radiator or engine was smoking badly. I then came home. I claim one M.E. 109 Destroyed.

AMMUNITION EXPENDED .50 ind. Confirmation I was flying as Wing man to Lt. Garrison and saw him fire and get strikes on a M.E. 109. Pieces flew off, including one large piece. I was in a steep turn and the next time I saw the O.E. it was going straight down and burning. Very shortly afterward I had a parachute open. It must have come from the 109 Lt. Garrison fired at. GEORGE K. VILLINGERS, 1st Lt., A.C., Pilot.

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Vermont Garrison of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Vermont Garrison's combat experience.

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