Felix Williamson

a . Combat . b . 22 Dec. , 194 3 c . 6 2nd Fighter Squadron d . Approx imately 1 400 hours e . Vicinity West of Rheine f . 10 /10 cloud , vi sibility fair, bit hazy g . Me 109 h . One Me 109 claimed d estroyed . i . " I was flying Yellow Two in Capt. O'Neill's flight. After leaving the target we observed two Me 109's about 3,000ft below us at 12 o'clock. We peeled down to the right and came out about 1,500 yards behind the 109's closing fast. The last 109 peeled down to the left in a dive while the leader climbed into the sun in a pretty steep climb. We closed in pretty fast and on account of oil on Capt. O'Neill's windshield and the fact the enemy plane probably throttled back he overshot the 109. This left me dead astern, about 400 yards of the 109, so I opened fire and immediately observed strikes on the fuselage and along the cockpit of the enemy aircraft. I continued to fire until I closed to approximately 100 yards. At this point the enemy aircraft was on fire and smoking very badly and I noticed the aircraft lost control and sort of tumbled down. I broke off and joined Capt. O'Neill's flight and came home. I claim one Me 109 d estroyed . " I was flying Yellow Three and our f l ight was furnishing support to the rear of the bombers when we saw two Me 109's with external gas tanks flying towards us several thousand feet below. We immediately started down to attack. The 109's had split up so we closed on the leader . Yellow One overshot, evidently due to the enemy aircraft closing his throttle, and made a turn to the right. The enemy aircraft turned after him and was firing at yellow One, when Lt. Williamson, Yellow Two, opened fire at close range. I observed hits on the wings, with the concentration of fire in the cockpit and fuselage. Flames and heavy smoke came from the engine and wing roots of the enemy aircraft. He slowly rolled to the right and started straight down. I started to fire at him, but flames and smoke were so thick I decided there was no need, so I pulled up and rejoined my flight. There is no doubt in my mind but that Lt. Williamson destroyed the enemy plane . "