Скачать или смотреть When 13 Japanese Planes Attack On P-51 - This Rookie's Response Stunned Command

Why Captain William Shomo attacked 13 Japanese aircraft with just his wingman during WW2 — and what happened in those 6 minutes. This World War 2 story reveals how a reconnaissance pilot faced his first real dogfight.

January 11, 1945. Captain William A. Shomo, 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron commander, flying F-6D Mustang photo reconnaissance over northern Luzon, Philippines. Spotted 12 Japanese fighters escorting one bomber — 2,500 feet above. Standard doctrine: reconnaissance pilots avoid combat, complete mission, return safely. Every tactical manual said attacking 13 aircraft with 2 fighters was suicide. His commanders would call it reckless.

They were all wrong.

What Shomo understood that morning wasn't about following reconnaissance protocol. It was about using surprise and position in a way that contradicted everything fighter tactics taught. The Japanese mistook his Mustangs for friendly fighters — pilots waved, opened canopies. What followed in those 6 minutes would make him only the second American pilot to achieve such a feat in a single mission — and his wingman Lieutenant Paul Lipscomb would add his own victories to the tally.

This engagement proved reconnaissance pilots could execute fighter tactics when opportunity appeared. Shomo had waited 203 combat missions for aerial combat. His preparation, combined with tactical advantage, created results that remain unprecedented in Pacific theater history — achieved by a pilot who had seen only one enemy aircraft in 16 months of combat.

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⚠️ Disclaimer: This is entertainment storytelling based on WW2 events from
internet sources. While we aim for engaging narratives, some details may be
inaccurate. This is not an academic source. For verified history, consult
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