Scotty's Last Combat - Robert L. Scott

L/E of 1250
S/N by the Artist & One Pilot
Overall Print Size: 30" x 24"

Plane Type: P-40 Tomahawk

Anticipating a repeat of the Christmas day attack on the 23rd Fighter Group's air field at Yeching in China's Yunnan Province, Group Commander Col. Robert L. Scott put all his pilots on alert on December 26, 1942, and began constant airborne patrols at dawn. At 14:54 a report came in of a large formation of Japanese aircraft fifty kilometers out. Climbing to 20,000 feet, Scott spotted the formation of nine Kawasaki Ki-48 bombers and one observation plane escorted by nine fighters three thousand feet below. Scott recalls - "On my wings were six fighters in two-ship elements. In (1st Lt. Llewellyn H.) Couch's flight were four fighters, and (Maj. George W.) Hazlett had four above the Japs on the other flank. We made the attack from three directions simultaneously." Diving on the Japanese formation, Scott set his sight on the lead bomber. Quoting from his combat report: "From 500 yards I saw tracers going into the leader then into second ship on left of leader...As my fire went into third bomber, I saw the second plane explode." The Japanese raid had turned into a rout. Ten of their aircraft were confirmed destroyed with another five listed as "probables". The 23rd Fighter Group lost two P-40s and one pilot, 1st Lt. Robert H. Mooney. It was Robert L. Scott's last combat. He returned to the states in early January.

Additional Pilot "Ace" Signature: Robert L. Scott


PLANE JUNKIE - "Scotty's Last Combat" by Roy Grinnell (P-40 Tomahawk)