DONALD CORRIGAN

A . Combat . B . 8 February 194 4. C . 3 5 2nd F i gh t e r Sq uadron . D . 1 21 5. E . Believed near Libramont, Belgium. 12,000-3,000 feet. F . Low clouds, broken. Visibility aloft good. G . FW 190. H . 1 FW 190 destroyed . I . I was flying Wakeford Blue 2, covering Red Flight who were bouncing a bunch of 190s. We were called on to help Red Flight and we dove down. As we got there I picked out a FW 190 and fired. He went into a very steep dive and I followed as there were plenty of P-47s in the area. I fired six or eight bursts from 12,000 feet down to 5,000 feet where he pulled out under the clouds. I only saw 2 or 3 strikes on the way down. I had trouble keeping my sights on him as dirt from the cockpit floor got in my eyes, and my ears were b locked causing much pain. When he leveled out at about 3,000 feet I started to go by him so I chopped the throttle and began to walk the rudders. He was to my right almost abreast of me. He pulled into a tight left turn and dove slightly. I saw a pie ce come off which looked like a wing tip or piece of the tail. About the same time he started a slow-roll going down about 45 o . He made about three rolls and at this time we were right on the deck. His wing caught on the top of a tree which cartwheeled him along the ground into a hillside and he crashed. The plane was completely demolished but I did not see it burn. I then climbed up to 15,000 feet to rejoin. About 20 miles further on I spotted a slate-grey 190 on top the clouds going in the same direction. I dove on him and lined up behind him at about 500 yards. He wagged his wings so I held my fire. He made a slight turn to the left and I made sure of its identity and then made ready to fire. About this time he saw his mistake, snaprolled and split S'd. I fired a long burst as he rolled. I did not follow as my ammunition and gas were getting low. I saw no strikes on him. I claim the first FW 190 destroyed.