4th March 1944: 5th AF/RAAF claims

[Buz]

Text from Combat report (form A.108) for S/Ldr C.W Lindman
Aircraft A29-456

1st Attack - Front Quarter to full beam range opened fire 300yards, closing to 100 yards - enemy tight turn to left, climbed half rolled and dived to tree level
2nd Attack - Full beam from above opened fire 300yards, closing to 100 yards - This attack made during the pull out from the half roll.

Damage to enemy - Tracer appeared to be hitting fuselage of enemy aircraft around the cockpit during second attack.

Narrative - While catching up the B24 formation frm a previous combat I observed a single airplane dive through the bombers and continue down to about 4000 feet just above the clouds. I kept him in sight and as he turned towards us from dead ahead and below I saw he was an OSCAR. I dived down and at about 320 mph IAS fired from front quarter pulling around to full beam. The OSCAR turned to the left climbing with streamers from wing tips. I was able to turn inside him. He then half rolled down and when pulling out I got a good aft of beam shot from above. He was down near the trees and I had to pull up and around to the right. He evidently made off on the tree tops heading towards WEWAK. I think the aircraft was damaged from the second attack. I then continued to pursue and catch up the bomber formation and continued to give close escort. My Number 2 was following me during the combat but did not get in a shot.

Other info on the form:
Enemy aircraft did not fire.
Camouflage and markings: - Dark brown with red roundels clearly visible, large yellow arrows on tail plane and fuselage aft the roundels.

Text from Combat report (form A.108) for F/Sgt A.E Stuart
Aircraft: A29-447

Narrative: I was flying No.2 to Yellow 3 who made an attack on the OSCAR. I could not bring my guns to bear on the enemy plane which split S'd down and continued towards WEWAK. I followed him down but then turned back and joined my number 1 as I had no hope of catching him.

Narrative report states: Two separate OSCARS made two separate passes at the B-24's. At 1145L 10 miles south of BUT. RED (crossed out) 3 and 4 flying at 9500 saw an Oscar climbing towards the formation from 6 o'clock Yellow 3 and Yellow 4 turned and dived making attacks from the starboard rear and front quarters respectively and observing strikes round cockpit and wing roots and down fuselage towards the tail. OSCAR snapprolled and split S'ed giving Yellow 3 and 4 a head on attack commencing at 350 yards. Oscar dived away with light blue smoke coming from the cowling and was last seen at 1000-1500 feet diving over trees towards BUT. OSCAR was a dirty dark brown colour with prominent red roundels and yellow strips or arrows on the tail and rear of fuselage. The pilot appeared experienced but not eager for combat.
At 1150L about 27 miles South of BORAM an OSCAR coloured as above dived through the formation of B-24's - last element leaving the target from 3 O'clock. It fired a burst at one B-24 from 9500 feet and dved into cloud beating Yellow 1 and 2 who turned in to it from reaching a reasonable firing position. Yellow 3 and 4 saw the OSCAR burst though the formation as they returned from the previous combat. They dived from 4000 feet and Yellow 3 firing a burst from front quarter to full beam. OSCAR broke away up and to port and Yellow 3 turned inside OSCARS tight turn at 320mph indicated. Oscar half rolled down appearing not anxious for combat and Yellow 3 got a full deflection shot from slightly above. The OSCAR carried wing tanks and did not jettison them during the action. All Yellow section jettisoned belly tanks before attempting combat. NOTE: The original OSCAR above mentioned carried a prominent yellow figure 6 on the tail.

Overall only one OSCAR claimed as damaged.


Buz