WWII Pilot Combat Report - Wayne Coleman -

Wayne Coleman

78th Fighter Group 01/01/1900

{"header_block":"","narrative":"A. Type of Action Combat B. Date 31 March 1945 C. Unit 82 nd Fighter Squadron D. Time of Attack 1000 hrs. E. Place of Attack Standel Area F. Weather 7/10 cloud G. Type of Target Me-262 H. Enemy Casualties 1 Me-262 Destroyed I. Account of Combat: I was leading Surtax Red Flight on an Escort Mission to Derben on 31 st of March. Shortly after R/v we swept the target area at 15,000 ft. We heard on the radio that jets were in the area, and shortly after spotted 2 Jets going parallel to us in the same direction. They pulled away out of sight before we could get to them. We bounced a lone P-51, pulled up and spotted another bogie. We bounced this plane, it was an Me-262. Several flights pursued him for some time, taking long range shots, but lost him way out in the distance in a cloud of smoke. I thought he was gone, but again spotted the Jet over the leading edge of my left wing. I did a semi- split"S " and closed on him rapidly. When in range I fired and observed a great many strikes on the canopy and right jet unit. The Me-262 pulled up slightly and I broke to the left. The Jet did a roll to the right and went straight into the ground and exploded. I believe the pilot had been hit. I claim 1 Me-262 destroyed.","footer_block":"Wayne L. Coleman, 0- 767126, 1 st Lt., Air Corps.","military_group":"","date_of_event":"31 March 1945","squadron":"82 nd Fighter Squadron","location":"Standel Area","first_name":"Wayne","last_name":"Coleman","rank":"1 st Lt.","witness_rank":"","witness_first_name":"","witness_last_name":""}

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Wayne Coleman of the 78th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Wayne Coleman's combat experience.

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