44-09-12 38th FS Consolidated Report

Narrative:

I was leading Hellcat Squadron when we broke escort from B17's of the 3rd Division north of Nurnberg and headed home on a course of 270 degrees. In the vicinity of Wurzburg, flying at an altitude of 10,000 feet, we passed over an A/D (later identified as Herzogenaurach) containing 25 plus T/E E/A. We made one orbit spiraling (sic) down, then went past the A/D to the south and east for about 5 minutes and made a 180 degree turn - coming in for our attack generally from the East (specifically as indicated on diagram). My canopy fogged up at this point, so I pulled White section back up and let Yellow Section make the first pass. I noticed E/A on the perimeter track and in front of the hangar, so brought my section around to attack that area from an easterly direction (see diagram). Claims of 4-0-9 are made. E/A "g" (shared by Lt. Reilly and F/O Amos) (sic) caugh (sic) fire before these two pilots pulled up, while E/A "e" exploded. These two E/A, plus "f" and "c", were seen on fire by most of the Squadron when we reviewed the damage after the attack. I therefore claim 4 E/A destroyed in (sic) behalf of the Squadron - in addition to the damaged claims listed on reverse side.

Despite the fact that little or no flak was encountered at the A/D, I made only one pass - and for another reason. A great many of the E/A seemed to me to be dummies while some others had obviously been damaged by a previous straffing (sic) attack. Because of engine failure I was forced to land at Bruselles (sic) shortly after the attack and was not present at the interrogation. On return to home base - in the light of above and after discussion with the other pilots - I have reduced our claim of 13 E/A damaged (as reported in Mission Summary report) to 9 damaged. The claim of 4 destroyed still stands.

WHITE FLIGHT
Major Landers - No Claim.
Capt. Peterson ) (a)
Lt. Silk ) one He177 damaged (shared)
Lt. Lawrence - No claim.
RED FLIGHT	AMMO. EXPENDED
Capt. Clark - (b) one 410 damaged.	Capt. Peterson	- 450	rounds.
Lt. Courtney - no claim.	Lt. Silk	- 300	"
Lt. Jewell - (c)* one T/E U/I destroyed.	Capt. Clark	- 1225	"
Lt. Waice - (d) one Ju88 damaged.	Lt. Jewell	- 707	"
YELLOW FLIGHT	Lt. Waice	- 630	"
Lt. Reilly - (e) T/E U/I destroyed.	Lt. Reilly	- 920	"
F/O Amos (sic) - (f) one T/E U/I "	F/O Amos (sic)	- 500	"
(g) one Ju52 destroyed (shared)	Lt. Sherman	- 720	"
Lt. Sherman - (c)* one T/E U/I destroyed.	Capt. Holderman	- 810	"
(h) one Ju88 damaged.	Maj. Parsons	- 903	"
BLUE FLIGHT	Lt. Callaghan	- 715	"
Capt. Holderman - (i)(j) two Ju88 damaged.
Lt. Klank - no claim.
Maj. Parsons - (c)* one T/E U/I destroyed.
(k) one Me 410 damaged.
(l) one Ju 87 damaged.
Lt. Callaghan - (m) one Ju 88 damaged.

Claims as originally submitted were 4-0-13. After elimination of overlapping claims and possible dummy E/A they have been reduced to 4-0-9. In the case of E/A (c) all three indicated pilots feel they destroyed a T/E E/A at this spot on the field, but since only one fire was seen here their claims are reduced to the same E/A, and award will depend on assessment of film.

VIII Fighter Command, F.O. #565.	Place: Herzogenaurach A/D
Date: 12 September 1944	Time: 1215
Weather: Hazy - no clouds.	Targets: T/E U/I