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. Celle, Germany.
F. 7/10ths at 4,000 feet.
G. Me 109’s.
H. Two (2) Me 109’s destroyed.
I. I was leading Hellcat Squadron in giving penetration support to a box of B-17’s of the 3rd Division when we spotted a gaggle of about 15 E/A at 25,000 feet dipping in and out of the contrail level in the vicinity of Steinhuder Lake. We moved over closer to the bombers, waiting for an attack, but the Jerries merely tracked our formation. As we neared the city of Celle, flying almost due east at 19,000 feet, the first E/A, an Me 109, peeled off from above and started a pass at the 17’s. My second element, Lt. Menegay and Lt. Cavanaugh, went after the Hun and ultimately destroyed it. A few minutes later, as we flew 2,000 feet above the bombers slightly to their rear, another Me 109 came in at the 17’s from 9 o’clock high. I immediately dropped my tanks and attempted to intercept the E/A before he could reach the bombers. Closing to about 800 yards, I gave the 109 a short burst as he reached the bomber column, then ceased firing as he passed through. The E/A then made a 180 degree turn to the right and started diving out. As I dropped in behind him at about 700 yards, he made a tight 360 degree turn to the left and started to dive again. Before he had completed the 360, I closed to about 400 yards and commenced firing, getting many strikes on his left wing and then the cockpit as I closed to about 50 yards. I continued firing until I had overrun and pulled over the E/A, which was shedding pieces of wing and fuselage. My wingman, Lt. Bender, who stayed with me through this combat and the one which followed, saw the pilot bail out and the E/A head straight down burning. I therefore claim this Me-109 as destroyed.
As I climbed back to the bombers, I observed another Me 109 roll over at approximately 25,000 feet and start a high 9 O’clock pass. I was unable to intercept before the E/A had closed on the bombers, so I followed him through the box, receiving intense fire from the bombers but not being hit. The E/A made a diving turn to the left and I followed him down. Closing to about 400 yards at 12,000 feet, I commenced firing and observed many hits on his fuselage, cockpit and wing roots. I closed further to about 20 yards and saw the E/A burst into flames. I pulled up and to the right as the 109 fell off to the left. My wingman followed him down and saw his crash. I therefore claim this Me 109 as destroyed, making two (2) Me 109’s destroyed as a result of the entire combat.
J. Ammunition Expended – 385 Rounds.
DONALD M. CUMMINGS, O-667803,
Captain, Air Corps.
S T A T E M E N T
I was flying Hellcat White 2 during the above combat and stuck with him throughout. We were escorting the bombers in the vicinity of Celle when the first Me 109 made a pass at our box. We dropped our tanks and followed the Heinie down, Captain Cummings firing and getting many strikes. The 109 caught fire and the pilot bailed out. The second Jerry came in shortly after we had rejoined the bombers. Captain Cummings made his pass and again got many strikes. Large pieces came off the 109 and he started smoking badly. At 10,000 feet he went into a vertical dive from which he never recovered. I followed him below the clouds and saw him crash in. As a result of these observations I confirm Captain Cummings claim of two (2) Me 109’s destroyed.
ROBERT V. BENDER, O-834566,
2nd 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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