excert from "Bong: Dear Mom, so we have a war"
9th FIGHTER SQUADRON 49TH FIGHTER GROUP ARMY AIR FORCE
Subject: Individual Narrative Combat Report
To: Intelligence Officer 49th Fighter Group, APO 920
A: Mission Report no. 259, April 14, 1943, 8 P-38's
B: Scramble to Goodenough Island
C: Take off 1130 K Landing 1225 K
I was flight leader of green flight and was ordered off at 1130 K with blue flight and went to Goodenough Island. Fighter Control said enemy bombers and fighters approaching Milne Bay at 25,000 feet. Two members of my flight turned back and Lt. Planck and myself intercepted three waves of Betty Bombers at 26,000 feet. Lt. Planck had trouble with his engines and failed to get a shot. I made a pass from above and behind the last wave and shot one Betty on the left flank and set it on fire as witnessed by Lt. Planck. I hit another bomber in the second wave and saw no results. Passed under the first wave as they dropped their bombs. I had to leave with six BLACK Zeros chasing me. I left themand turned back to make a pass at three Betty Bombers. I hit the left wing area and started his left engine smoking. He left the formation and started down. Two Zeros jumped me and I had to dive to 5,000 feet to get away and come home.
Last Zero put a 20mm cannon shell in my elevator. There were 27 Betty Bombers and 18 or 20 BLACK Zeros that I saw.
I claim 1 Betty Bomber definite and 1 Betty Bomber porbable.
Richard I. Bong
1st Lt. Air Corps
Several times he reports engaging and shooting down Black Zeros. So this leads me to believe that they were not just Zeros with black cowlings...Also, and really this is just an observation, in the movie "Pearl Harbor" there is a black A6m7....any input?
