WWII Pilot Combat Report - WILLIAM MADOLE

WILLIAM MADOLE

78th Fighter Group 07/01/1943

OFFICE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICER 8 3 RD FIGHTER SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE COMBAT REPORT U.S. F IELD O RDER NO. 60

1 July, 1943 83 rd Fighter Squadron, 78 th Fighter Group P-47C Two FW 190 1605 Schouwen Island 10/10 low cloud over channel, breaking to 5/10 over Dutch Coast, and building up again over Rotterdam; high cloud 2/10 at 29,000 feet; horizontal visibility unlimited; air-to-ground visibility obstructed by low cloud layer at 1200 feet. 20,000 feet One FW 190 destroyed Narrative: I was flying Roadhog Yellow 3, on a fighter sweep on July 1, 1943. Just as we crossed Schouwen Island some e/a were bounced by the 84 th Squadron, flying ahead of us. After the bounce by the 84 th , the e/a scattered. I was circling at 27,000 feet when I saw two FW 190s pass under us headed northwest. I was in the sun on them so I peeled off and closed in behind the second one. I opened fire at 100 yards, dead astern, no deflection. I noticed strikes on the left wing and the left wheel came down. I think I shot the wheel off with the next burst. I stopped firing then and corrected my aim slightly and gave a long burst. I saw strikes and flashes over most of the plane. At the same time I put on full turbo and closed to about 50 yards. All at once the FW seemed to explode, and smoke started coming from it and pieces flying off. I peeled away to the right and then looked back. The FW 190 was then in a slow spiral, smoking badly. My windshield was covered in oil from the e/a, so I lost sight of him. L .

Ammo fired : 170 rounds from each gun. WILLIAM H. MADOLE 1 st Lt. , Air Corps 83 rd Fighter Squadron

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

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