Dennis Cavanaugh
55th Fighter Group 04/07/1945
PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat.
B. 7 April 1945.
C. 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
D. 1300.
E. Near Celle, Germany.
F. 7/10ths at 4,000 feet.
G. Me109.
H. One (1) Me109 destroyed.
I. I was flying #4 position in Hellcat White Flight at about 19,000 feet in the vicinity of Celle when an Me109 broke out of the sun and hit our box of bombers. Our flight immediately took up pursuit and as the Jerry split S’d for cloud cover the number 3 man, Lt. Menegay, gave him a burst and scored strikes, causing the E/A to smoke badly. The 109 broke up, forcing our #3 man to overshoot, and pulled almost head on to me, then did a half turn and hit for the clouds, putting me in a tail position dead astern at about 300 yards. I gave him a 3 second burst and saw strikes on his tail and wing roots. Pieces of his tail came off, he did what looked like an outside snap and went snapping down in an uncontrolled spin leaving a trail of smoke and debris behind him. As a result of this combat I claim this Me109 destroyed, to be shared with my element leader, Lt. Menegay.
J. Ammunition Expended – 210 rounds.
DENNIS A. CAVANAUGH, O-820438,
2nd Lt. - Air Corps.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Dennis Cavanaugh of the 55th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Dennis Cavanaugh's combat experience.
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