George Ceuleers

364th Fighter Group 12/23/1944


ENCOUNTER REPORT

  1. Combat

  2. Dec. 23, 1944.

  3. 383rd Ftr. Sq. 364th Ftr. Gp.

  4. 1220, 25,000’ to deck.

  5. Northwest of Trier.

  6. Slight haze.

  7. ME-109s

  8. 4 ME-109s destroyed.

I.      Narrative:

               I was flying as Weekday Leader, leading “B” Group in support of two Combat Groups of B-17s. After forming up, weather conditions prevented both “A” and “B” Groups from setting course together. Because of this I set course early with “B” Group and made R/V at the coast thirty minutes ahead of schedule. We visually identified Vinegrove 1-3 and 1-4 of the 1st ATF. Seeing no other fighter support on Vinegrove 1-1 and 1-2 I divided my forces so as to cover all four Combat Groups. After about forty minutes “A” Group R/V and gave help with the escort.

               Right after Vinegrove 1-1 and 1-2 had bombed and turned south from the target we sighted two gaggles of e/a. At that time I had a section (eight fighters) close together. My Red Flight dropped tanks and bounced about 25 ME-109s and FW-190s. I took my flight and bounced the other gaggle of 30 plus ME-109s. The combat lasted fifteen to twenty minutes from 25,000’ to the deck. I made my first pass from above and behind of their formation, breaking them up into one’s and two’s. My first two victories were at the tail end of the gaggle. The first ME-109 did a roll and a tight turn to the left. I turned inside and gave a long burst. The plane started smoking from below and in the cockpit area, with fire developing as he went down. I then picked another lone ME-109 and drove within range of about 150 yards, giving another good burst to this one. I observed good strikes in the left wing root and below the cockpit. The plane started burning. Both of these e/a still had belly tanks on when I hit them. The third one gave me a good dog fight. I worked my way behind him giving a good burst and seeing a number of strikes. He then burst into flames and spun down. After this I tried to get my flight back together but they were busy in the fight. A number of planes from the 384th Sqdn. reached the area and I picked up Lt. Wells. At this moment I noticed three planes circling above. Not sure if they were all P-51s, I climbed and found an ME-109 shooting at one of two P-51s from a 0-0 angle. I called for them to break left and when they did it gave me a chance to turn inside of the 109, giving him two different bursts at 0-0 and about a forty degree deflection. He was hit on the cockpit and fuselage. The plane at once started to smoke, flipped over on his back, went into an inverted spin and dove straight into the ground. During the combat with the last ME-109, my oxygen system gave way. I realized that it was only a matter of minutes before my complete supply would be exhausted. I therefore dropped below oxygen altitude and turned the Group over to my deputy leader. I then returned to England, landing short to refuel before proceeding to my home base.

               I claim four ME-109s destroyed.

J.     Ammo Exp.                                               Aircraft Type               Aircraft No.

        1700 rds, .50 cal.                           P-51D                          44-15020                    

GEORGE F. CEULEERS,

Major, Air Corps,

383rd Ftr. Squadron.

 

B.C. GRANSKOG,

Capt., Air Corps,

S-2 Officer.

 

 


Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by George Ceuleers of the 364th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of George Ceuleers's combat experience.


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