Eugene Holderman
55th Fighter Group 07/07/1944
PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat.
B. 7 July 1944.
C. 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
D. 1015.
E. Vicinity of Bernberg.
F. CAVU.
G. Three (3) Me 410’s.
H. Two (2) Me 410’s Destroyed, One (1) Me 410 Damaged.
I. I was flying Hellcat White three on an escort mission. We were west of Bernberg at about 21,000 feet when we saw thirty plus Me 410’s flying in stacked-down formation with their flights of seven plus line abreast, at about 17,000 feet. Our flight immediately bounced them, Red Flight remaining above to cover us. It took quite awhile to close on them. There were about four P-51’s and one other P-38 attacking the Me 410’s. I closed on one from dead astern and gave him a short burst of about two seconds from about 250 yards. His whole right side exploded and he spun out of the formation in flames. My gunsight burned out and in the meantime the Me 410’s were diving and making gentle turns at about 350 MPH and heading towards Erfurt. By this time they were down to about 4,000 feet. I changed filaments in the gunsight and closed to with 200 yards of another Me 410 from dead astern and gave him a two second burst. His right engine exploded and he flipped over on his back and then went straight in. My gunsight had burned out again. I made a pass on the third Me 410. I put the reflector plate of the gunsight out in front of the enemy aircraft as I was attacking at about 10 degree angle. I opened fire at about 100 yards and saw many strikes just to the rear of the gun barrel of his starboard turret. I stopped firing and broke away, as by this time we were over Erfurt, at about 3,000 feet getting light and heavy intense flak. I started evasive action but the flak was inaccurate. After we passed the town I made a sharp 360 degree turn to the port to clear my tail and find the rest of my flight. I saw a Me 410 straggling on the deck and made two passes at him, firing once but I missed him. I then set course for home and joined my flight.
As a result of the above combat, I claim two (2) Me 410’s destroyed, and one (1) Me 410 damaged.
EUGENE M. HOLDERMAN,
1st Lieut., Air Corps.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Eugene Holderman of the 55th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Eugene Holderman's combat experience.
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