Charles Reed

A. Combat

b. 3 February 1944

c. 63rd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group

d. 1043 hours to 1045 hours

e. Southeast of Ruhlertwist

f. 8/10 at 10,000; 5/10 at 20,000; 2/10 cirrus at 24/29,000

g. Me 109

h. 1 Me 109 destroyed

i. I was flying No. 3 in Northgrove Red flight (Lts. Egan, Langdon, Reed and Peters). At approximately 1043 hours, as we were on course to the r/v point with the bombers, Northgrove squadron reported bogeys at 1/2 o'clock and we turned slightly right to intercept them. My engine was cutting out below 35 inches and as I was on the inside of the turn, I pulled ahead of the others in my group. I could not turn back as that would have placed me at 12 o'clock to the e/a. I met them head-on and as I passed over them I recognize them as about 15 FW 190s and 1 or to Me 109s. I turned back and saw the squadron hit them as they broke into the clouds. Some of the e/a turned to the left and I followed two of them, firing a short burst at long range. As I saw some other P47s in a more favorable position to fire, I broke off the attack. I then saw two e/a with belly tanks heading for the clouds. Lt. Peters, my wing man, and I both fired. At my first burst they jettisoned their belly tanks and went down. I did not follow them. I climbed back up to the right and at that time 2 P47s made a pass at me, but when I wobbled my wings they broke off. Approximately one minute later, an Me109 made a head-on pass at my wing man, Lt. Peters, but with no success. Lt. Peters and I then came in behind two Me 109s. I fired at one of them from approximately 400 yards. The 109 blew up and went down in flames. At the first lull in the fight, I took my wing man and headed home, as my engine was still cutting out. I claim 1 Me 109 destroyed.