Don Blakeslee

4th Fighter Group 04/22/1944


HEADQUARTERS

FOURTH FIGHTER GROUP

A.P.O. 637 U.S. ARMY

 

Pilot’s Personal Combat Report

VIII Fighter Command F.O. 309

 

  1. Combat
  2. 22 April 1944
  3. Hq., 4th Fighter Group flying with 336 Squadron
  4. 1800 hours
  5. Kassel, Warburg, Eder Lake
  6. Clear
  7. Me 109’s
  8. 2 Me 109’s Destroyed
  9. Narrative:

            I was leading the Group on a sweep to Kassel – Hereford (sic) - Hamm. We arrived in the area 20 miles north of Hamm at 25,000 feet and as we headed for Kassel we lost altitude to 18,000. Over Kassel at 1759 there were 20 plus Me 109’s orbittng (sic) at 4,000 feet. I led 335 and 336 Squadrons down to attack in a diving starboard turn, loosing (sic) height and getting up sun to the E/A. 336 Squadron stayed up to provide cover. We attacked the E/A from the west on the same level and as we approached they were flying in a Luftberry (sic), making it difficult for any individual attacks until two of the Me 109’s broke away leaving a gap. Our A/C attacked by sections and the fight was on, with many of the E/A going to the deck.

 

            I saw an Me 109 with belly tank, headed N.E. up a shallow valley, just skimming the trees. I gave a short burst at 300 yards, then closed to 200 and gave him a second burst. I was closing fast indicating 350 mph when I saw his tank strike the ground. I was not more than 15 feet above as I passed over him and I saw his prop churn into the ground, throwing pieces, and the aircraft then crashed violently. Captain Sobanski of 334 Squadron later flew over this A/C and saw the pilot’s body halfway out of the cockpit. I then climbed up to about 5,000 feet to rejoin the battle.

 

            I sighted another Me 109, 3,000 feet below me being chased by other P-51’s. I dumped flaps and dove, the E/A straightened out as I got to him and I fired a 2 second burst from 200 yards as he was pulling up over some trees. My fire hit the E/A on the wing roots and cockpit, and his prop and wing hit a treetop, cartwheeling him into the deck.

 

J.       Ammunition: Rounds fired - 420

 

D. J. M. BLAKESLEE

Colonel, Air Corps.

 

              CONFIRMATION

              I can confirm Col. Blakeslee’s claim of 2 Me 109’s destroyed. I saw the first one crash land in a field. As I took a camera gun picture of the crash and zoomed over it, I saw the pilot partly thrown out of the cockpit covered with blood. He looked as if he had been cut in two by the violent crash. I also saw Col. Blakeslee chase an Me 109  up a small valley and saw the E/A flick into the deck after being hit by his gunfire.

 

WINSLOW M. SOBANSKI

Capt., Air Corps.

 

 

 


Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Don Blakeslee of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Don Blakeslee's combat experience.


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