USA - PATTERSON Chet A

Grade	Date	Unités		Arrivée	Départ	Fonction	Secteur
Slt	194?		USAAF	194?	194?	Elève Pilote	Etats-Unis
Lt	194?		338 FS / 55 FG	09/42	04/44	Pilote	Grande Bretagne
Cpt	194?		HQ / 55 FG	04/44	11/44	Pilote	Grande Bretagne
Maj	194?		USAAF	11/44	1945	Pilote	Grande Bretagne

Officier au sein de l'USAAF, Chet A Patterson fait partie des premiers pilotes à rejoindre le 338th Fighter Squadron / 55th Fighter Group en septembre 1942. Le 23 avril 1944, après avoir remporté 4 victoires, il est transféré à l'Etat-Major du Group. Figurant parmi les premiers pilotes à finir son premier tour d'opérations, il bénéficie d'un prolongement qui lui permet de prendre part aux opérations du débarquement de Normandie. Il quitte le Group le 13 novembre. Au sein de l'Etat-Major, il occupe des fonctions d'Assistant de l'officier des opérations. Parmi les appareils sur lesquels Patterson vola on trouve le P-38J CL-P 42-67816 "Princess Pat" et le P-38J CL-P "Mr. Dunc".

55th Fighter Group

338th Fighter Squadron

Traducteur / Translator / Traduttore / übersetzer / vertaler

PATTERSON Chet A (Maj)

Air Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal

Objectifs terrestres
.

Avions détruits au sol

Leading the 338th Fighter Squadron as middle flight we encountered three flights of approximately 9 enemy aircraft slightly above us. Pulling up to 17,000 ft., I noticed a lone P-38 about 2,000 ft. below and behind getting a head on attack by two FW 190's. My 6 flights were in good formation not being bounced so I broke to engage the two FW's. Knowing that I couldn't get to them to help the P-38 I played it for their break. They broke as I planned so I dropped maneuver flaps and was 400 yards at 10° astern. I pulled up flaps to close attack and opened firing at 300 yards. I saw numerous hits about fuselage and wing roots. As I stopped firing white smoke started coming out of the enemy aircraft. I pulled up and rejoined the complete section. The enemy was very aggressive and had good leadership during entire engagement.

I was flying the lead ship in the second flight of our squadron which was leading the formation. We were met head on by a number, 30 plus, of Me 109's and after the attack, I dropped my belly tanks and turned to the right to engage the enemy. Noticed 4 P-38's about 2 miles behind toward home being attacked by 2 E/A at about 2,000 ft. below me so I started a gentle dive with moderate power and then saw one P-38 go down through the overcast which appeared shot down. The 3 remaining P-38's continued evasive action with the E/A still on their tails. One of the P-38's broke left so I started my attack on the E/A on his tail. Gave a moderate burst at 300 yds and saw several hits. Dropped flaps to stay turning and gave another short burst as I mushed by at 75 yds. Pulled up and saw white smoke coming out of the E/A as he spun through the clouds.

Sources

STARS & BARS - Frank Olynyk - Grub Street Editions
http://www.station131.co.uk/55th/Pilots/Patterson%20Chet%20A%20Maj.htm

[1914 - 1918]	[1918 - 1939]	Liens	Mon ciel de Gloire		Exploits	[1939 - 1945]	[1945 - 2006]
Grades	Décorations	Contact	News	Forum	Musée	Unités	Batailles

Victoires	4	.	o	Collaboration
Probables	o	.	o	Collaboration
Non confirmées	o	.	o	Collaboration
Endommagés	o	.	o	Collaboration
Objectifs terrestres .
Avions détruits au sol	-	.	-	Endommagés au sol
Blindés	-	.	-	Véhicules
Locomotives	-	.	-	Bateaux

VICTOIRES
Date	Heure	Revendic	Type	Unité	Avion d'arme	Unité	Lieu		Référence
25.11.43		Détruit	Fw 190		P-38J	338 FS / 55 FG	Lens	1	(Cpt) Patterson Chet A
Leading the 338th Fighter Squadron as middle flight we encountered three flights of approximately 9 enemy aircraft slightly above us. Pulling up to 17,000 ft., I noticed a lone P-38 about 2,000 ft. below and behind getting a head on attack by two FW 190's. My 6 flights were in good formation not being bounced so I broke to engage the two FW's. Knowing that I couldn't get to them to help the P-38 I played it for their break. They broke as I planned so I dropped maneuver flaps and was 400 yards at 10° astern. I pulled up flaps to close attack and opened firing at 300 yards. I saw numerous hits about fuselage and wing roots. As I stopped firing white smoke started coming out of the enemy aircraft. I pulled up and rejoined the complete section. The enemy was very aggressive and had good leadership during entire engagement.
29.11.43		Détruit	Me 109		P-38J	338 FS / 55 FG	Nord Emmen	2	(Cpt) Patterson Chet A
I was flying the lead ship in the second flight of our squadron which was leading the formation. We were met head on by a number, 30 plus, of Me 109's and after the attack, I dropped my belly tanks and turned to the right to engage the enemy. Noticed 4 P-38's about 2 miles behind toward home being attacked by 2 E/A at about 2,000 ft. below me so I started a gentle dive with moderate power and then saw one P-38 go down through the overcast which appeared shot down. The 3 remaining P-38's continued evasive action with the E/A still on their tails. One of the P-38's broke left so I started my attack on the E/A on his tail. Gave a moderate burst at 300 yds and saw several hits. Dropped flaps to stay turning and gave another short burst as I mushed by at 75 yds. Pulled up and saw white smoke coming out of the E/A as he spun through the clouds.
31.01.44		Détruit	Me 109		P-38J	338 FS / 55 FG	Goch & Kessel	3	(Cpt) Patterson Chet A
31.01.44		Détruit	Me 109		P-38J	338 FS / 55 FG	Goch & Kessel	4	(Cpt) Patterson Chet A

[1914 - 1918]	[1918 - 1939]	Liens	Mon ciel de Gloire		Exploits	[1939 - 1945]	[1945 - 2006]
Grades	Décorations	Contact	News	Forum	Musée	Unités	Batailles