EUGENE ROBERTS

84th Fighter Squadron 1 020 Winterswijk, Holland Clear—visibility unlimited FW 190 and ME 109 Two (2) FW 190s destroyed--(1) ME 109 destroyed Narrative: I was flying as Group Leader on Bomber Withdrawal Support mission on 30 July 1943. We took off with belly tanks, climbed to 23,000 feet over the Channel. Dropped tanks about 15 miles off coast of Holland. S/E of Noordwal we crossed coast at 27,000', indicating 180 MPH. Our course took us just north of Hellevotsluis (sic) over Dordrecht to the south of Nijmegen and just south of Haldern—the R/V point. We continued almost to Raesfeld. When we sighted the bombers off to our left we made a 90 deg. turn and picked up bombers, approximately over Winterswijk. One straggling bomber was observed, flying below the main formation in a dive, trailing black smoke and being attacked by about five e/a. I peeled my flight down and to the rear of the straggler. This would be about 1,000 feet below main formation of bombers and would be at about 21,000 feet. All e/a sighted us and took evasive action to the extent that I was unable to close, although I did fire a burst with improper deflection. The e/a was in a diving attack from the rear on this straggler. I initiated my attack from the port side rear of the fighters, swinging in behind them in their dive. They rolled to the left, then pulled up in a climbing turn to the right and broke sharply downward to the rear. I followed them in the climb, attempting to get a deflection shot. When he broke downward, I found I was directly beneath the bombers, and saw a number of ball turret gunners firing at my flight. I broke down and to the rear, and pulled up to starboard side of bombers about 1,000 yards out, and at about their level. Looking up, I observed six e/a flying parallel to the bombers, and about 1,000 feet directly above me. They failed to see us and did not take any action, so after they passed I made a climbing turn to the left to come up to their level and behind them. At this point I missed my second element, and found myself alone with my wingman. In our pull-up we missed the original six e/a sighted, but sighted a single e/a ahead on same level at about 1,500 yards. I dived slightly below, opened full throttle and closed to about 400 yards. I pulled up directly behind e/a and opened fire. Several strikes were observed on e/a, his wheels dropped, and he spun down, trailing large volume of dark smoke and flame. I continued parallel to the bombers and sighted two more e/a about 2,000 yards ahead. I used the same tactics, closing to 400 yards astern, pulled up and opened fire on port aircraft. Observed several strikes and e/a billowed smoke and flame, rolled over and went down. I was closing so fast that I had to pull up to avoid hitting him. I observed my wingman, F/O Koontz, firing at the second, or starboard a/c, but did not see the results, as he was under me. Both these a/c were FW 190s. After this second engagement, we were about two miles ahead of the bombers still well out to their starboard side. About this time I observed one e/a queuing up on port side and ahead of the bombers, so I cut across, falling in behind him. We started to close again, using the same tactics as in the two previous attacks to get within range. This e/a, a ME 109, peeled to starboard to attack bombers head-on, and I followed, closing to 500 yards before opening fire. Two bursts were behind, but the third burst caught him, and he spun down, trailing smoke and flame, some 1,500 yards ahead of the bombers. I now found myself on the same level as the bombers, and approaching them head-on with no alternative other than to fly between their two main formations. They did not fire on me. This action took place about the vicinity of Rhenon, Holland. After flying through the bombers, I pulled to the left out on their starboard side, flying parallel and on their level, heading home. I then observed two e/a attacking a P-47 ahead and above me. They were flying 180 degrees to me so I could not close effectively to help, but did fire a burst at the leading a/c with not enough deflection to be effective. The P-47 dove and passed under me, taking evasive action in his dive. I did not see him again. I headed out and joined another element led by Captain Irvin, and proceeded home out over Overflakkee Island at 23,000 feet, indicating 230 MPH. The e/a observed seemed to be flights of two and four, with some straggling singles. They seemed to be queuing up for their attack on the bombers. They all seemed to be a slate grey color. The first three e/a had bulges underneath their wings. In the area we were engaged, there must have been 80 to 100 single-engine enemy fighters maneuvering for attacks. I feel that our efforts prevented 80% of these e/a from attacking while we were in the vicinity. I especially want to commend my wingman, F/O Koontz, for his effective tactics, both offensive and defensive, and for his unselfish cooperation throughout this mission. I claim two (2) FW 190s and one (1) ME 109 destroyed.