4th Fighter Group 04/08/1944
HEADQUARTERS
FOURTH FIGHTER GROUP
A.P.O. 637, U.S. ARMY
PILOTS PERSONAL COMBAT REPORT
VIII Fighter Command F.O. 291
I. I was flying Greenbelt Red 3 in “Upper” Squadron, headed East, for rendezvous with the big Friends. We were approaching the target area when I saw and reported a “Gaggle” at 10 o’clock. We turned towards this gaggle and found about a hundred Huns flying in two boxes of fairly close vie-formation, towards the bombers. As the Group bounced these E/A, I took an Me-109 that started diving. I closed slowly at first, firing short, long-range bursts. I ceased firing and closed easily. When I fired again I was dead line-astern. I observed strikes on the tail and fuselage of this Me-109, after which this E/A emitted an enormous cloud of glycol that covered my entire plane. We were then at about 13,000 feet, and after I broke off this E/A’s tail, I observed it to spiral straight down, trailing smoke, and crash, explode and burn in a wooded area about two miles North of Celle. I did not see the pilot bail out and I claim this Me-109 destroyed.
After this combat I climbed back to bomber (25,000 feet) level and found another Me-109 attacking a small box of B-24’s. I closed behind this E/A in a port turn. Apparently this pilot had planned to make another attack, as he began a slow pull-out after his initial attack. When I opened fire on this Me-109—(From this point on, the report has been completed by Capt. Victor H. Croxton, Squadron Intelligence Officer.) I observed immediate strikes around the cockpit and after a very short burst the pilot bailed out. I claim this Me-109 destroyed.
A/C Used: P-51B 7Na 43-6579
Ammunition Used: 1260 rnds. 50 Cal. API & T
CLEMENS A. FIEDLER
1st Lt., Air Corps,
Pilot
VICTOR H. CROXTON
Captain, Air Corps
Intelligence Officer
The action in this combat story can be seen on this DVD.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Clemens Fiedler of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Clemens Fiedler's combat experience.
Clemens Fiedler: Personnel File
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