WWII Pilot Combat Report - William Halton

William Halton

352nd Fighter Group 02/20/1944

ENCOUNTER REPORT

a . Combat b . 20 February 1944 c . 328th Fighter Squadron d . 1520 e . Louvain f . 6/10 from 4-7000 g . 1 Me 109 h . 1 Me 109 DESTROYED i . I was leading Turndown Blue Flight. The Group Leader had called for everyone to pull out. We had been on course at 22000 ft for home for about five minutes. Lt Schwenke, Blue 3, called in a scrap at 4 o'clock to us very low. I called Yellow Leader, Maj Lund, and started down . At about 15000 ft I could see that there was a Me 109 on a P-47s tail. I called Blue 3 to stay up for cover and shoved the nose straight down. I caught up with the E/A at 10000 ft and saw another P-47 fire at him but observed no hits. I was clocking about 400 and closing fast, so I chopped my throttle and turned on the E/As tail. I gave him a three-second burst from 200 yds, with from half a ring to no deflection. I observed many hits on the left engine cowl and he burst into flames. At that time I passed him and he was burning fiercely. My No 2, Lt Laing was still with me and we immediately began to regain altitude to join the rest of Blue Flight. I found no trouble in out turning the Me 109 at the altitude at which the engagement (combat) took place. I claim 1 Me 109 DESTROYED . j . Ser No of A/C : 42-8439 A/C Markings : PE-T

Ammunition Expended: 600 rds /s/ William T. Halton WILLIAM T. HALTON , Capt , Air Corps , 328th Fitr Sq. /s/ David F. Lee, Jr DAVID F. LEE, JR. , 1st Lt . , Air Corps, Asst S-2 Officer . A TRUE COPY : GERALD F. COSTELLO , Captain , Air Corps , Asst A-2 , 67 FW . (D-3)

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by William Halton of the 352nd Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of William Halton's combat experience.

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