Donavon Smith

a . Combat b . 20 February, 1944 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56th Fighter Group d . 1 2 5 0 hours e . Steinhu n der Lake f . Low cumulus at about 5,000, haze at 25,000 g . 3 Me - 110 's h . 2 Me - 1 10 's destroyed , 1 Me-110 damaged i . I was flying as Keyworth White 3, Col. Gabreski leading and Lt. Mussey was flying my wing. We made 1/f at 23,100 ft. and continued on to make r/v with the bombers without incident. At about the time to turn back I called in a bogie at 10 o'clock to the bombers and flying at about 10,000 ft. Just as I was about to make a pass at him one of the other flights told Keyworth leader to make a 180 o turn to the right and he would be in good position to make a pass at 12 + t/e e/a. This was putting the situation mildly, for upon completion of our turn we were up sun and directly behind them. We started our pass at 23,000 ft. Col. Gabreski immediately identif ied them as 13 Me-110's flying in 2 sections of 6 and 7 respectively. Col. Gabreski lead the entire 61st Squadron into one of the most coordinated and surprising attacks I have ever seen. He was about 500 yds. in front of me. He opened fire and an Me-110 on my left fell to pieces. His tail came off and flaps and pieces of wings etc. flew all over the sky. Then I closed up on the one on the extreme right and he started a slight turn to the right. I was very close and hauled up about 3/4 of a ring deflection at 175 yds and hit him all over. He fell out of control and his right engine started burning fiercely. (See Lt. Mussey's report). I kept on flying straight ahead and fired at 2 or 3 others as were several other fellows in the flight observing several hits. I flew through the whole mess. 47's were shooting all around me and Lt. Mussey on my left fired at a 110 and I saw several pieces fly off his engine and he then flipped over on his back. I continued on to the first bunch which up to now were unmolested and evidently were completely unaware of their coming fate! Another P-47 (believed to be that of Lt. Foster) and I made a simultaneous attack, he taking one of the middle ones and I taking the one on the extreme right. I saw Lt. Foster get very good hits all over his and right after that mine exploded in the port gas tank and flew to bits. (See Lt. Fosters report) The end of this conflict found me at 9,000 ft. I gave a quick look around and threw in water injection and climbed back into the sun till I reached 18,000 ft. Upon arriving there I found myself leading a flight which was composed of Capt. Marini, Lt. Foster and Lt. Funcheon . I orbited 3 times to cover Col. Gabreski and then started my vector home. L/f out was without incident and we arrived at home base on time. I think that this show was one of the finest examples of teamwork and co-ordination in attacking e/a that I have ever seen. I claim 2 Me - 1 10 's d estroyed and one Me-110 damaged . j. 773 rds .50 cal A.P.I. For confirmation see Encounter Reports of Lts . Foster and Mussey .