Donald Penny
339th Fighter Group 08/06/1944
A . Combat B . 6 August 1944 . C . 50 4 th Fighter Squadron D . 1 200 E . Havelberg F . Clear G . ME 109 H . 1 ME 109 D estroyed a. 1st Lt. Donald E. Penny , O- 737229 , 50 4 th F ighter Sq uadron. I was flying No. 2 man in Red Flight as wingman to Major Routt. 50 plus FW 190's and ME 109's appeared head on passing below us. We dropped our auxiliary tanks and turned to attack. One ME 109 appeared from 9 o'clock and the flight turned after him. Another flight with the same objective cut through our flight and I became lost from Major Routt . At approximately 20,000 feet I observed 1 ME 109 at 15,000 feet with a P-51 passing over him. I half rolled and dropped on his tail. He rolled, slipped and skidded to evade. I followed him to 3,000 feet in a vertical dive firing short bursts all of the way down. My ship fluttered at approximately 600 MPH causing my shots to disperse around in the entire area of the ME 109. At 3,000 feet we leveled out and I fired two bursts that went short of him. I was overtaking him very fast and sprayed his ship as I went by, observing hits. The pilot appeared to be slumped over in the cockpit. Noticing two ships on my tail I half snap rolled to evade. The ME 109 at this time appeared to be out of control and trailing smoke. The ME 109 went over on its back and headed straight for the ground. Lt Van Cleave stated he was in back of my ship and saw the ME 109, trailing smoke, dive straight into the ground. I claim 1 ME 109 destroyed. DONALD E. PENNY, 1 st L t . , A ir Corps, 50 4 th F ighter Sq uadron . Lt. Van Cleave is hospitalized and unable to make confirmation at this time. However if desired confirmation will be sent in at a later date.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Donald Penny of the 339th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Donald Penny's combat experience.
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