GLENN DUNCAN

353rd Fighter Group 01/05/1944

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ENCOUNTER REPORT A . Combat . B . 5 January 1944 . C . 352nd Fighter Squadron . D . 1205. E . South between Eindhoven and Gilze Rijen at 21,000 feet. F . CAVU. G . Me 109. H . One Me 109 destroyed . I . I was leading the group and had picked up the bombers at the IP, carried them through the target and was about half way out to the Dutch Islands when we ran on to the only E/A seen the whole trip. I had called a right turn away from the right side of the bombers and was coming back up along behind at six O'clock. When we were about a mile away I saw one Me 109, with belly tank, coming up to the rear of the bombers at seven o'clock. Having good contact with the bombers on "C" channel, I told them to go ahead and shoot him as I was not in range yet. They shot plenty but he did not quite get to their range for them to hit him. The Me 109 shot away, out of range and peeled off to the left. By this time I was behind the ME and coming in range. He must have had a sore neck because he did not look on his tail, or either he thought that he could out run a P-47. We were diving at a very slight dive and I closed fairly fast. At about 500 yards, I shot a half ring deflection but saw no hits. I improved my line and changed deflection a little and shot some more at about the same range but closing slightly. I saw many strikes on right side of wing root, cockpit and tail. A lot of white smoke started pouring out. At this time I was probably down to 200 yards. The E/A dipped down but I followed closely and fired continuously now, observing many strikes through the smoke. I thought that the E/A would never give up but finally some of the incendiaries must have found a way in to a gas tank because a terrific explosion occured and the E/A almost stopped in his tracks. I barely missed colliding with the E/A and was covered with oil and small pieces as I passed over and through where he had been. I believe that the incendiary ammunition should be accompanied by some armor-piercing, as in several cases we have had many strikes on an E/A but not much results. The strikes look pretty but I would like to see some pieces come off too. I claim one Me 109 destroyed. GLENN E. DUNCAN , Lt Col, A C.

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Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by GLENN DUNCAN of the 353rd Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of GLENN DUNCAN's combat experience.

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  353rd Fighter Group