55th Fighter Group 03/24/1945
PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat.
B. 24 March 1945.
C. 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
D. Approximately 1600.
E. About 5 miles south of Soest.
F. CAVU.
G. Me 109.
H. One Me 109 destroyed (Shared with Lt. H.B. Mooers).
I. I was leading Hellcat Squadron on a patrol in the Soest area when Yellow Leader engaged a flight of three Me 109’s. I turned and headed north at 3,000 feet to assist him, as he was apparently having some trouble with the E/A. When I arrived on the scene Yellow Leader was in a turn to the right with a Me 109 on his tail. I positioned myself behind the Jerry and commenced firing at 300 yards, observing many strikes on his canopy and wing roots. As I closed to 50 yards, firing all the time, pieces broke off the E/A and it was smoking badly from the wing roots. Then he began to fall off to the right so I broke up and over him. As the 109 rolled over on its back, the pilot jumped and I saw his chute open and the E/A crash and burn. Combat took place at 3,000 feet to the deck. Since Lt. Mooers, White 3, also got hits on the E/A, I claim one Me 109 destroyed, to be shared with Lt. H.B. Mooers.
J. Ammunition Expended – 900 Rounds.
DONALD M. CUMMINGS, O-667803,
Captain, Air Corps.
S T A T E M E N T
I was flying White 4 position in the personal encounter report described above and I can certify that I saw Captain Cummings and Lt. H.B. Mooers engage and destroy one Me 109 out of which the pilot bailed and the ship itself crashed in a field.
ROGER B. MOOERS, O-708740,
1st Lieut., Air Corps.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Donald Cummings of the 55th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Donald Cummings's combat experience.
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