William McElhare

56th Fighter Group 06/06/1944


HEADQUARTERS SIXTY SECOND FIGHTER SQUADRON

AAF STATION F-150, APO 637    

U. S. ARMY

 

Personal Combat Report

VIII Fighter Command F.O. No.371

 

a.  Combat

b.  6 June, 1944

c.  62nd Fighter Squadron

d.  Approx. 1230 hours

e.  Vicinity Rambouillet

f.  8/10 cloud, base 6,000’

g.  Fw 190

h.  One Fw 190 claimed Destroyed.

i.  “I was flying White Two and had made one pass on a troop train in the vicinity of Rambouillet.  Pulling up for a second pass, I saw an Fw 190 at 500’, coming down the tracks from the East, at 8 or 9 O’Clock to me.  He evidently saw me at about the same time and started to turn so I poured the coal to it and we swung into a Lufberry.

As we climbed, circling, I used water, managing to keep above the Hun.  Continuing to tighten the circle, I was gradually catching up on him and forcing him lower and lower.  Just as I was about to draw deflection and fire he reversed his turn, snapped violently to the left and dove in to the deck from about 300’.  The e/a exploded in a huge mass of flame and smoke while I took pictures of it with my gun camera.

I claim one Fw 190 Destroyed.”

 

WILLIAM W. McELHARE,

1st Lt., Air Corps.

 

ARMAMENT REPORT

Lt. William W. McElhare                 42-76093                             

 


Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by William McElhare of the 56th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of William McElhare's combat experience.


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