Clemens Fiedler

A. Combat

B. 29 March, 1944

C. 335th Fighter Squadron

D. 1420 hours

E. 30 miles North of Brunswick

F. Clear at altitude

G. Me-109

H. One Me-109 Destroyed

I. I was flying Greenbelt Green 1 with the Squadron. Shortly after rendezvous with the bombers the Squadron made a bounce on about five or six Me-190's coming in from the east, preparing to attack the bombers from six o'clock. I held my section for Squadron top cover, and as we dove over them at about 25,000 feet, I could see about six Me-190's doing controls about 6 to 8 thousand feet above us. I decided to climb after them. They were flying in sections of three with two rows of sections line astern. As we gained height these individual sections of three A/C seemed to leave the main body and disappear below contrail height. While in the Brussels area and as the bombers and already preceded ahead on a westerly course, I do not believe that this group of Huns had any opportunity to attack. We continued to climb and gained on the remainder of the Huns. Then while behind and below climbing away to the north I saw a gaggle of something coming in head-on at same level (27,500 feet). We continued climbing and passed over them at about a thousand feet. When we were at 28,000 feet, I saw they were Me-109's and that they were flying echelon starboard. There were 12 in this row. I turned in behind and began the attack. In an attempt to get the leader. As I closed I noticed that all these Me-109's were weathered-silver color with red spinners. They also carried belly tanks, a row of which I observed being jettisoned. Obviously the 109 leader saw me coming and began turning, thus ruining any reflection. I coolest in there with him and saw some of his Nos. 3 man, observing strikes on the engine. A white smoke began streaming backwards. On a second burst I observed strikes on the cowling and fuselage. I then saw this Me-109 turn over on its back and spiral down, pouring white smoke. I claim one Me-109 destroyed per Lt. Riley's confirmation (flying my No. 2 position at the time), as he saw a/C pour black smoke and explode as he went straight into the deck. We did not see the pilot bail out.