Gerald Johnson

a . Combat b . 1 0 October, 1943 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56 th Group d . 1 5 35 hrs . e . North of Munster f . CAVU g . Me-110 and Me-210 h . Me-110 destroyed and Me 210 d estroyed i . I was leading Blue Flight in Keyworth Squadron. We crossed the coast going in north of The Hague at 25,000 ft. and continued on course, picking up the bombers north of Munster at 28,000 ft. As we turned left to take our position on the bombers, I saw 12 to 15 e/a to the rear of the second box and slightly above them, about 2 7,000 ft. I saw an Me-110 starting an attack from about 4 o'clock on a bomber that had fallen back somewhat from the main formation. I called to attack and started down. As I neared the Me-110, I could see large bulges under each wing just outside the engines, which were probably rocket guns. I opened fire at about 300 yds. and saw strikes on the fuselage and starboard engine, which started smoking. By this time we were within 200 yds of the B-17, and the e/a went under the B-17 very close. Since I was attacking from slightly above, I had to pull up hard to miss the Fort and went over the top. I then half rolled and came out on the tail of the M e-110 again. At about 250 yds. I opened fire and the port engine started burning. There were strikes near the cockpit and along the fuselage. The pieces started flying off around the tail and the e/a fell off to the left i n a spin. I then pulled up in a tight left turn and the last I saw of the e/a, it was still spinning down with the left engine and wing burning and the right engine pouring out black smoke. I couldn't observe it any longer since an FW-190 dived past my nose so close I had to break down to avoid hitting him. I then turned back toward the bombers and there was an Me-210 slightly below me headed toward the bombers from about 8 o'clock. I started after it and opened fire at about 250 yds. There were strikes on the fuselage and right engine, but since I was closing fast I had to pull up and come down in another attack. One the second attack there were hits all over the fuselage, wings and the right engine started burning. The rear guns fired at me through the first attack and part way through the second and then stopped firing. The Me- 210 then started down in a shallow dive to the left and I made another attack. This time the left engine started burning and pieces were flying off . When I pulled up from this attack, one person bailed out and the e/a continued going down burning. We then pulled back up to our position on the left side of the bombers and escorted them to the coast without seeing anymore e/a. I claim one Me-110 d estroyed , and one Me-210 destroyed.