Two claims for Fw 190s by P-61
 

On 21 October 1944 Lt Theodore Jones and his R/O, flying a P-61 Black Widow of 422nd NFS, claimed a Fw 190 in the area of Aachen.
Three days later, on 24 October, Lt.Col. Oris Johnson (the squadron's CO) claimed another in the same area. Could anyone verify these two claims?

Johnson recalled:
“We were to fly a twilight patrol over enemy lines near Aachen. At precisely 18:05, GCI checked in and informed us of several enemy aircraft approaching from the east at 4,000ft. I dropped down from 10,000ft to investigate, but saw no aircraft and immediately returned to our original altitude. “Minutes later GCI notified us again that they were picking up multiple bogies at 5,000ft. I dropped down again and this time my eyes locked onto a very unusual sight: three Fw 190s loaded with bombs! They had a heading of 270°, flying a straight and level course with an airspeed of 250mph. This was an unusual encounter with German aircraft during daytime.
“I peeled off and headed right into them, and seconds later two of the Fw 190s broke off and scattered. The P-61’s focus was on the leader. The closure slowed at 1,000ft. Dead astern, I opened fire with two brief bursts of 20mm. These strikes were observed on the leader’s right wing as it drifted into a slow turn to the left.
“Our range had closed down to 500ft. I increased pressure on the firing button, letting go with a long five-second burst. This time it was point blank as hits were observed all over the Fw 190’s fuselage and engine. These proved to be fatal.
“Black smoke billowed out of the engine and the aircraft fell off into a vertical dive. At 2,000ft the pilot tried to pull out before hitting the ground. His efforts were useless as the ‘190 went straight in, a massive explosion following the impact.
“By this time our P-61 was too low and was taking light, friendly, ground fire. I pulled out and returned to base, and on inspection there were several holes in our aircraft."

https://www.key.aero/article/world-w...61-black-widow

Btw, here's how Mr Trudgian depicted it:
https://www.nicolastrudgian.com/arch...lection_id=110

Re: Two claims for Fw 190s by P-61
 

III./KG 51 was active on both nights. Nothing lost on 21 Oct and and unidentified aircrfat and pilots from III./KG 51 was possibly damaged by Johnson/Montgomery north of Utrecht night of 1818 hrs 24 Oct 44. No other details I am afraid

Re: Two claims for Fw 190s by P-61
 

Are we sure about the time, on the 24th October it was sunset at about 17:30 in Aachen (US Naval Observatory data). It is only going to vary by about 10 minutes with altitude. Yet he says day operation.

Would not fancy P-61 up against three Fw190s in daylight on your own

Martin

Re: Two claims for Fw 190s by P-61
 

Thank you, guys. I appreciate all the input.