DAVID SCHILLING

Narrative: I was leading Keyworth White Flight when we were hit by 25 Me 109s and 10 FW 190s from four or five thousand feet above, which started a vicious dogfight. During this, I lost my entire flight and was alone. After the fight was over I attempted to reform the Squadron on the left flank of the front box of bombers. While doing so, I saw two FW 190s hit a B-17 which fell out of formation, caught on fire and spun down about 7,000 feet and blew up. I attacked the second of these and caught it at approximately 16,000 feet in a slight turn to the right. I opened fire at approximately 450 yards and when I had closed to about 350, observed one strike on the right wing tip. I moved the sight a fraction to the left and hit the plane along the entire length of the fuselage and wing roots. The flashes from the incendiaries almost obliterated the target. I passed over him as he fell off to the right burning. I followed him down visually to approximately ten thousand feet where large pieces fell off the airplane as it continued to smoke and burn. I then picked up the first aircraft that was circling at approximately 16,000 feet. I started an attack and he evidently saw me coming for he started to dive eastward. I was indicating 480 when I opened fire and had such a high rate of closure that only a very short burst was possible. Several strikes were observed on the right wing as he continued to dive. I attempted a loop to again come in on an astern position, but due to oil on my windshield, lost him long enough to allow him to get away in the clouds. I then climbed up behind the bombers and was given excellent cover by Major Craig and his flight while I was climbing back to 24,000 feet. I therefore c laim one FW 190 destroyed and one FW 190 damaged.